Town of Coventry, RI Chapter 175 Parks and Recreation Areas

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Coventry as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Parks and Recreation Commission — See Ch. 15, Art. III.

Department of Parks and Recreation — See Ch. 47.

Alcoholic beverages — See Ch. 89.

Animals — See Ch. 97.

Boats and boating — See Ch. 102.

Campgrounds and trailer parks — See Ch. 113.

Firearms — See Ch. 124.

Noise — See Ch. 169.

Shows, performances and exhibitions — See Ch. 196.

Article I Swimming and Bathing

[Adopted 11-12-1991 by Ord. No. 9-91-0181 as Ch. 4, Art. I, of the 1991 Code]

§ 175-1 Diving from bridges.

Any person who shall dive or jump into or otherwise enter the water from any bridge, bridge abutment, overpass or other spanning structure, or who shall give the indication of intending to dive, jump or otherwise enter the water from any bridge, bridge abutment or other spanning structure, within the Town shall be deemed guilty of an offense.

§ 175-2 Swimmers to be decently attired. [1]

Any person bathing in any of the waters within the Town shall wear a bathing suit which will decently cover the person.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

Article II Park Regulations

[Adopted 11-12-1991 by Ord. No. 9-91-0181 as Ch. 12, Art. I, of the 1991 Code]

§ 175-3 Violations and penalties.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.

§ 175-4 Permits.

All written permits for use of park facilities may be obtained from the Recreation Director or an authorized representative of the Recreation Department.

§ 175-5 Use of facilities.

A. Town parks and recreational facilities shall be open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The Recreation Director is authorized to extend these time limits, but only on special written permit. Unlighted areas will be closed from dusk to 7:00 a.m.

B. No person shall bring into any park or playground area any refuse, ashes, garbage or other material for the purpose of disposal within the area.

C. Littering is prohibited. All refuse and waste material shall be deposited in receptacles provided for that purpose and shall not be left on the ground or in the waters of any Town park. Picnic areas must be left clean.

D. No person shall start a fire in any park or playground area without a written permit from the Recreation Director.

E. No person shall erect any tent or be allowed to camp or live in any park or playground area without a written permit from the Recreation Director.

F. No person shall bathe in the waters of any Town park except in the designated bathing area.

G. No person shall hunt, trap, or carry firearms within a park or playground area. No animal or bird in any Town park shall be harassed, injured or killed.

H. No person shall cut, remove or damage any tree or shrub within a park area, nor shall any person deface any building or public property.

I. No person shall disrobe in any public park or recreational area other than in a properly designated building.

J. The playing of golf or the driving of golf balls is prohibited in all parks and recreational areas.

K. The Recreation Director may schedule activities on public recreation property and may issue a written permit authorizing the use of the property.

L. No person shall possess, drink, sell or offer for sale any intoxicating beverages or possess any controlled substances within the limits of a Town park or recreational area.

M. No person shall offer for sale at any park or recreational area any goods or services except on behalf of any nonprofit organization or nonprofit corporation duly organized for the purposes set forth in R.I.G.L. § 7-6-4, where no part of the net income or profit of such sale will be distributed to such person or the members, directors or officers of such nonprofit organization or nonprofit corporation. In addition, all such nonprofit organizations and nonprofit corporations shall obtain a written permit from the Recreation Office in advance of any sale of goods or services.

N. No person shall distribute or exhibit any printed or written matter, nor shall any person hold any public meeting at any park or recreational area without a written permit from the Recreation Office. When official permission is granted, the distributor or exhibitor shall be responsible for removal of all litter which may result from such distribution or exhibition.

O. Sirens and other noise-making devices are not to be operated within the confines of a public park or recreational area. Engine-powered airplanes, cars and boats may be operated upon the receipt of written permit from the Recreation Office.

P. No person shall be allowed to feed any fowl of any type, including seagulls, ducks, geese and pigeons, in any park or any public recreation area.

Q. Prohibition of smoking in athletic and recreational facilities.

(1) Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ATHLETIC OR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES OWNED BY THE TOWN OF COVENTRY

Any athletic or recreational facility including, but not limited to, any playing field, ballfield, basketball court, tennis court, soccer field or playground which is owned or operated by the Town of Coventry.

YOUTH EVENT

Any scheduled game, match, practice or the like in which any participant is under the age of 18 years.

(2) Use of tobacco prohibited. Smoking and other uses of tobacco products are hereby prohibited at any athletic or recreational facility owned by the Town of Coventry during youth events.

(3) Penalty. Any person violating this subsection may be ejected from athletic or recreational facilities owned by the Town and/or may be fined not more than $100.

§ 175-6 Animals.

[Amended 8-19-2013 by Ord. No. 08-13-292]

A. No person shall bring into a public park any animal unless it is under control at all times on a leash of not more than six feet in length, nor shall any animal be left unattended in any motor vehicle.

B. Horseback riding is prohibited in all Town park and recreation areas. Horses must be led on foot through park facilities.

C. All animals, be they leashed or not, are banned from all Town beaches (Briar Point and Breezy Lake) from May 1 through September 30 of each year.

D. At all times of the year, those in control of said animals are required to clean up after their animals. Persons must have the means to clean up after said animals and may be required to show proof of same when requested by park or police personnel.

E. Any violation of this section shall result in a fine of $25 for a first offense and $50 for second and subsequent offenses. On second and subsequent offenses, $25 of said fine shall be paid over to the Recreation Department for use in its dog park and the balance shall be paid to the General Fund of the Town.

§ 175-7 Floodlighting.

A. Floodlighting of all parks and recreational facilities shall terminate at 11:00 p.m. on weekdays, weekends and holidays as specified by the Parks and Recreation Director.

B. There shall be no charge for the use of floodlighting; however, permits for use of the facilities shall be obtained from the Director or his authorized representative.

§ 175-8 Tennis courts.

A. Lighted tennis court facilities in the Town shall be operated from May 1 to October 31 of each year within the time limits specified in § 175-7A.

B. The use of tennis courts is restricted to a maximum of one hour per individual or group, due to the physical limitations of the facilities.