Fires may not be created and are not permitted anywhere within a park other than in stoves, grills, campfire rings or fireplaces provided for that purpose. No person shall throw away or discard any lighted match, cigar, or cigarette in any park. Permitted fires shall be properly maintained and constantly attended.
No person shall hold any meeting or gathering otherwise assembled and composed of 25 persons or more or shall indicate the location in the park where such gathering shall be held without a permit. The permit request shall be in the name of a person who shall be responsible for seeing that all refuse left by the group shall be placed in proper containers before leaving the park. This shall not apply to athletic association's use of ball fields under arrangements with the Department.
Peddlers, or any other person(s) shall not sell or offer for sale any article or service for hire within the limits of the park or establish therein any stand or booth for such purpose unless duly authorized to do so by the Township. Refer to the Manheim Township Police Department Solicitation Permit Regulations for rules and process to obtain Township solicitation permit. This provision applies to stationary food trucks and/or concession services. This section does not apply to mobile food trucks operating on a route through a park.
A.
Games, contests, or sports activities are permitted only in areas designated for such use, and in no case shall such use be permitted in areas where lawns or plantings may be destroyed or disturbed, or where such games or contests may interfere with other park regulations. Athletic fields may be closed when conditions warrant, as determined solely by the Department.
B.
Organized activities/lessons (fitness programs, lessons etc.), free or fee-based conducted in a park is prohibited unless organized through the Department or with a facility rental permit. Private lessons must be approved through the Department, or a facility rental permit must be obtained and any applicable fees must be paid.
Picnics are permitted throughout all parks. However, picnics may not interfere with or disrupt the normal, customary and/or regular use, repair, or maintenance of any park or facility. No group of 25 or more people may gather in a park pavilion without a permit.
Manheim Township has established an administrative policy known as the Park Facility Rental Policy, outlining the procedures and permitting of Township facility usage. This policy is made a part of this chapter and may be changed by the Township Manager at any time. A copy of this policy is available at the Township office. Parks and recreation facilities are available on a first-come, first-served basis, unless a Facility Reservations Permit has been issued by the Department or a facility has otherwise been reserved for Township activities. A permit is required for any individual or group that corresponds with a category on the Manheim Township schedule of fees. Along with the current "Park Facility Rental Use" policy, the following standards shall apply:
A.
Permits are required to reserve pavilion, picnic areas, sports courts, athletic fields, and buildings. Requests for a permit can be obtained online or at the Stauffer Mansion.
B.
Permits are issued only for the facility(s), time(s) and date(s) outlined on the permit. Usage of surrounding areas, facilities or fields are prohibited unless the applicant obtains township permission. No set up the day before or clean up the day after any event is permitted.
C.
A person who signs a park permit on behalf of a company, group, or organization will be held liable for any damage or injury.
D.
The renter shall indemnify and hold harmless Manheim Township, its agents and employees, from and against all liability, claims, damages, losses and expenses, including attorney fees incurred in connection therewith, arising out of or resulting from the renter's use or occupancy of the property or performance of its obligations hereunder. To the extent that any claim is asserted against Manheim Township by a third person for any injury or claim arising during the term of this Facility Rental Permit, renter shall defend Manheim Township at renter's expense. This provision shall not cause any defenses which Manheim Township may have under the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act.[1]
E.
All Permits are issued for the sole use of the Permittee and Permits cannot be sublet or given to any other individual, corporation, or organization.
F.
All refuse must be placed in proper receptacles.
G.
Staples or tacks may not be used on tables, seats, trees, park structures, utility poles, etc.
H.
All signs, posters or directions must be removed at the end of the rental period.
I.
No holes or pits may be dug.
J.
The person named on the reservation form is responsible for cleanup and damage. The Township may bill them at a later date.
K.
Tables must be returned to their original positions.
L.
No supplies or equipment may be stored overnight within the park premises.
M.
Special equipment and outside contracts (bounce house, food trucks, etc.) must be approved, insured, and noted on the permit. The minimum insurance policy is for $1,000,000, naming Manheim Township as an additional insured.
N.
Park rentals that are used for large groups beyond pavilion occupancy or events that are open to the general public (free or charged entrance fee) must comply with § 346-28 of this chapter.
O.
Parking is permitted in designated parking areas only.
P.
Alcohol is not permitted on Manheim Township property.
Larger gatherings and events open to general public, such as but not limited to 5k races, festivals, community days, and tournaments, that are not organized by the Township but use Township facilities, must adhere to the administrative policy known as "Park Facility Rental Policy."
No person shall, under any circumstances, loiter or remain in any park beyond the hours of operation listed in Article XIII unless express written permission is provided by the Director or their designee.
Pet owners or other people having such animals will be responsible for the actions of their pets and are required to maintain control of the pet at all times. Abandonment of domesticated animals is not permitted. Any animal found at large may be seized and impounded by the Township or its authorized agent. Pet owners shall adhere to the following rules:
A.
Pet owners or other people having such animals will be responsible for the actions of their pets and are always required to maintain control.
B.
Pets must remain on a leash at all times unless in a fenced-in dog park facility.
C.
Users of the Overlook Dog Park are subject to the additional rules of that park.
D.
Pets displaying aggressive behavior towards people and/or other pets will not be permitted to return to the park.
E.
All dogs three months of age or older must be licensed and vaccinated and display a current year's license and rabies tag.
F.
Pets are not permitted on any athletic field, court and/or playground with the exception of working service or support animals.
G.
Pet owners or other persons having such animals are required to clean up, remove and dispose of all pet waste in properly marked receptacles. Disposal of pet waste is prohibited in Township restroom waste receptacles.
I.
Horses/ponies are not permitted in a park unless working as a service or support animal or approved by the Director or their designee.
Use of playground equipment is at each person's own risk. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult (18+ years of age) at all times. No pets allowed on play safety surfaces. Playground components shall only be used that are appropriate for the age and ability of a child. No jumping off equipment is permitted. Shoes shall be worn at all times.
Manheim Township has established an administrative policy known as "Park Facility Rental Policy," outlining the procedures, and permitting of Township athletic fields usage. A permit is required for any individual or group that corresponds with a category on the Manheim Township schedule of fees.
Except for law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties, or by other persons under circumstances permitted under state law, no person shall discharge a firearm in any park. This prohibition includes guns, bows, cross bows, air rifles and sling shots.
No one is permitted to utilize any device that shoots any object or projectile in the park unless specifically permitted by state law or authorized by the Director or their designee. This prohibition includes but is not limited to toy guns, bows/arrows, canisters, model rockets, sling shots, and any similar toys or devices. This prohibition does not include sport related toys like footballs, frisbees, baseballs or discs.
Swimming and ice skating are prohibited in all Township park fountains, ponds, waterways, etc.
A.
Overlook Community Campus: Keene Pond.
(1)
Fishing is permitted and shall be catch and release, meaning that all fish must be released without harm.
(2)
No boat, kayak, or canoe shall be allowed on Keene Pond except as may be necessary for maintenance.
(3)
No firearm, archery, or spear may be used for taking fish or frogs, and the use of nets, cages and traps of any kind is prohibited.
(4)
Ice fishing is not permitted on Keene Pond.
(5)
Fishing is permitted only during the hours of operation of the park.
Small photo shoots, like those for engagements, weddings, prom, and family photos, do not require permission. However, a photographer may be asked to move from an area that has been reserved, or if they interfere with recreational activities. Any large-scale photo shoots or film productions that are beyond home video or are commercial in nature, meaning that they are being produced specifically for post-shoot sales (big productions like commercials, TV shows, music videos and movies), shall have Township approval or a Facility Rental Permit.
A.
No person or group shall place and/or use deer cameras, trail cameras, or other fixed visual recording devices upon any of the lands owned by the Township. The one exception to this regulation is the placement and use of trail cameras for Township-sponsored program or events.
B.
In the event of a violation of this regulation, the Township may, in addition to any other penalties authorized within this document, immediately remove and take possession of all such recording devices. If the owner fails to claim the device(s) from the Township within 90 days from the date of removal, the Township may dispose of such devices without penalty or reimbursement obligation to the owner.
Use of audio equipment is subject to the Manheim Township Noise Ordinance. Additionally, use of loudspeakers, public address systems or amplification equipment or devices must be approved in advance by the Director or their designee.
Use of metal detectors on or within parks is subject to the following:
A.
Persons are permitted to ride bicycles on and in designated areas, trails and paved roadways.
B.
No person shall ride a bicycle in a careless, negligent or reckless manner so as to create a nuisance or endanger well-being or property of others or so as to cause damage to any park.
C.
Fully electric bikes and fully electric scooters are prohibited on Township trails and pathways. Partially or fully human powered bikes and scooters are permitted on Township trails and pathways.
D.
Bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, e-scooters and skateboards are prohibited within the limits of playgrounds, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts and athletic fields.
Possession(s) that are left on park grounds are subject to the current Manheim Township Lost and Found Policy.