Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
Township of Lower Saucon, PA
Northampton County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Lower Saucon 12-29-1980 by Ord. No. 80-13. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Firearms, bows, crossbows and atlatls — See Ch. 82.
Nuisances — See Ch. 112.
Solid waste — See Ch. 135.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 145.
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 170.
Zoning — See Ch. 180.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
RECREATION PLACES
All parks, playgrounds, pools and recreation places now or hereafter owned or maintained by the Township of Lower Saucon, Pennsylvania, or operated by its Parks and Recreation Board.
A. 
The rules and regulations herein set forth shall apply to all said recreation places.
B. 
Said recreation places are for the benefit and pleasure of the residents of the Township of Lower Saucon, Pennsylvania, and all persons who use said facilities shall be subject to the rules and regulations herein set forth and any amendments thereto.
No person shall commit any of the following acts within any of said recreation places:
A. 
Committing any disorderly act. A person is guilty of committing a disorderly act if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he engages in fighting or threatening or inviolate or tumultuous behavior, makes unreasonable noise, uses obscene language or makes an obscene condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
B. 
Being visibly intoxicated.
C. 
Consuming any alcoholic beverages above an alcoholic content of 12%.
D. 
Throwing or propelling stones or missiles of any kind.
E. 
Hitting or driving golf balls.
F. 
Permitting animals of any kind to be within such recreation places, whether or not under control or leash.
G. 
Throwing, depositing or draining any offensive or unwholesome substances or liquids of any kind or depositing or throwing any paper, fruit, food, refuse or lunch baskets within said recreation places, except in receptacles provided for that purpose.
H. 
Uttering loud, profane, offensive or indecent language.
I. 
Writing, painting, carving or otherwise defacing or disfiguring any tree, bench or other structure.
J. 
Carrying, setting off or discharging any firearms, air rifles, air pistols, slingshots or fireworks, including sparklers, in a manner not authorized by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Amended 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-02]
K. 
Operating a licensed motorized vehicle on other than the paved roadways of parking areas of said recreation places.
L. 
Operating an unlicensed motorized vehicle.
M. 
Operating a licensed motorized vehicle on the paved roadways or parking areas of said recreation places at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour.
N. 
Obstructing in any way, either totally or partially, any of the paths or roadways in said recreation places.
O. 
Picking or carrying any flowers, shrubs or trees that are growing or located in the recreation places.
P. 
Carrying any ax, saw, picks, shovels, hoes or spades.
Q. 
Posting or displaying any sign, banner or advertisement of a political or commercial nature.
R. 
Building, starting or lighting any fires, except at those places or structures provided therefor.
S. 
Injuring or destroying any wildlife.
T. 
Playing baseball, tennis, football or any other game or sport at a place not designated for that purpose.
U. 
Violating any regulations relating to the use of any building or place.
V. 
Defacing, writing upon or mutilating any notice posted within the recreation places by order of Lower Saucon Township officials.
W. 
Entering or leaving any recreation place by motor vehicle, except at the established and designated ways of entrance and exit.
X. 
Pulling, injuring or breaking any flowers, fruits, plants, trees, grass, shrubs, turf, pump or water fixtures or any other structure.
Y. 
Any sound amplification devices used in the park area must be in accordance with Chapter 112, Nuisances.
Z. 
Hunting or trapping animals of any kind.
[Added 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-02]
[Added 5-4-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-04]
No person shall commit any of the following acts while using the Lower Saucon Township portion of the Saucon Rail Trail:
A. 
Using the Saucon Rail Trail, for any purpose, between dusk of each day and dawn of the next day. The Saucon Rail Trail shall be open for use by the public every day of the year, but only between dawn and dusk of each day.
B. 
Persons utilizing the Saucon Rail Trail shall use the designated trail area only and shall not trespass on private property.
C. 
Committing any disorderly act. A person is guilty of committing a disorderly act if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; makes unreasonable noise; uses obscene language, or makes an obscene condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
D. 
Being visibly intoxicated.
E. 
Consuming any alcoholic beverages.
F. 
Throwing or propelling stones or missiles of any kind.
G. 
Hitting or driving golf balls.
H. 
Permitting animals of any kind to be within, along, or adjacent to the Saucon Rail Trail whether or not under control or leash. Dog walking on a leash shall be permitted. It shall be the responsibility of all canine owners to collect and properly dispose of their canine's feces.
I. 
Throwing, depositing or draining any offensive or unwholesome substances or liquids of any kind or depositing or throwing any paper, fruit, food, refuse or lunch baskets within, along, or adjacent to the Saucon Rail Trail except in receptacles provided for that purpose.
J. 
Uttering loud, profane, offensive or indecent language.
K. 
Writing, painting, carving, or otherwise defacing or disfiguring any tree, bench or other structure.
L. 
Carrying, setting off, or discharging any firearms, air rifles, air pistols, slingshots or fireworks, including sparklers, in a manner not authorized by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Amended 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-02]
M. 
Operating a licensed motorized vehicle on the Saucon Rail Trail other than on the parking areas within, along, or adjacent to the Saucon Rail Trail.
N. 
Operating an unlicensed motorized vehicle. Motorized wheelchairs, Segways®, and Class I e-bicycles (with a maximum speed of 20 MPH) shall be permitted.
[Amended 5-15-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
O. 
Operating a licensed motorized vehicle on the paved roadways or parking areas of said recreation places at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour.
P. 
Obstructing, in any way, either totally or partially, any of the paths or roadways located within, along, or adjacent to the Saucon Rail Trail.
Q. 
Picking or carrying any flowers, shrubs or trees growing or located within, along, or adjacent to the Saucon Rail Trail.
R. 
Carrying any axe, saw, picks, shovels, hoes or spades.
S. 
Posting or displaying any sign, banner, or advertisement of a political or commercial nature.
T. 
Injuring or destroying any wildlife.
U. 
Playing baseball, tennis, football or any other game or sport at a place not designated for that purpose.
V. 
Violating any regulations relating to the use of any building or place.
W. 
Defacing, writing upon, or mutilating any notice posted within, along, or adjacent to the Saucon Rail Trail by order of Lower Saucon Township officials.
X. 
Entering or leaving the Saucon Rail Trail by motor vehicle except at the established and designated ways of entrance and exit.
Y. 
Pulling, injuring or breaking any flowers, fruits, plants, trees, grass, shrubs, turf, pump or water fixtures or any other structure.
Z. 
Any sound amplification devices used in the park area must be in accordance with Township Nuisance Ordinance No. 78-5.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 112, Nuisances.
AA. 
Smoking is not permitted on the Saucon Rail Trail.
BB. 
Hunting or trapping animals of any kind is not permitted on the Saucon Rail Trail.
[Added 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-02]
[Amended 12-21-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-13]
The recreation places shall be open to the public from January 1 through December 31 of each year between dawn and dusk of each day. The recreation places shall be closed to the public between dusk of each day and dawn of the next day.
A. 
Anyone or any group desiring to use the pavilion facilities of any recreation places shall secure a permit from the Township Manager in advance and shall pay the established fee and/or security deposit.
B. 
Fees for the use of the pavilion facilities at the recreation places and security deposits for the use of said pavilion facilities shall be as hereinafter set forth, subject to the right of Council to hereinafter, from time to time, change said fees and security deposits by resolution. Security deposits shall be returned only when the recreation place has been inspected by the Township and the Township Manager is satisfied that the person issued the permit has fulfilled his obligations under this chapter or any other rules and regulations for recreation places in the Township. The Township may retain any of the security deposit necessary to repair any damaged property or clean any debris, as more fully set forth in § 118-6.
C. 
The fee for use of the pavilion shall be as set from time to time by resolution or ordinance, as may be required by law, for anyone or any group reserving the pavilion or part of the pavilion for his exclusive use.[1] The fee shall be in the form of a check, money order or cash and shall be delivered to the Township Manager along with a permit application. The fee shall be deposited in the General Fund of Lower Saucon Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: The current Fee Schedule is available at the Town Hall.
D. 
The security deposit for use of the pavilion shall be as set from time to time by resolution or ordinance, as may be required by law, for anyone or any group reserving the pavilion or part of the pavilion for his exclusive use.[2] The deposit shall be in the form of a separate check, money order or cash from the fee and shall be delivered to the Township Manager along with the fee and permit application. Said security deposit shall be deposited in an escrow account and utilized or returned in accordance with this chapter.
[2]
Editor's Note: The current Fee Schedule is available at the Town Hall.
E. 
The Township Manager shall design a park permit application form and a park permit form for processing and issuance.
[Added 5-7-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-06]
A. 
Canine regulations for all Township-owned parks other than those specifically designated as a canine or dog park.
(1) 
It shall be the responsibility of all canine owners to ensure that all canines remain on a leash at all times while within the confines of the park.
(2) 
It shall be the responsibility of all canine owners to collect and properly dispose of their canine's feces.
B. 
Canine regulations for those Township-owned parks specifically designated as a canine or dog park.
(1) 
The canine park is open year round from dawn to dusk.
(2) 
Each person may bring up to two canines into the park at a time. All canines must be spayed or neutered.
(3) 
Canine owners are liable for any injury or damage caused by their animals.
(4) 
Canine owners are also responsible for:
(a) 
Maintaining reasonable control over their canine(s) [owners are required to remain inside the gates and be in view of their canine(s) at all times].
(b) 
Having a leash with them at all times (all canines must be leashed when entering and leaving this park).
(c) 
Picking up and properly disposing of canine feces (Mutt Mitts® will be supplied).
(d) 
Stopping their canines from digging and immediately fill any holes dug.
(e) 
Legally licensing and vaccinating their canines prior to visiting the canine park (all canines shall wear a visible canine license and identification).
(f) 
Keeping gate(s) closed at all times.
(g) 
Providing their own water and bowls.
(5) 
The following are not permitted in the park, for safety reasons:
(a) 
Aggressive canines are prohibited from this park and canines exhibiting aggressive behavior must be removed from the park immediately.
(b) 
Female canines in heat.
(c) 
Canines under four months of age.
(d) 
Unaccompanied canines.
(e) 
Canines that are not in good health.
(f) 
Excessive barking.
(g) 
Prong, spike or choke collars.
(h) 
No food or treats (human or canine), alcoholic beverages, smoking, strollers, bicycles or children's toys are allowed in canine park.
(i) 
Children under 12, unless accompanied by a guardian 18 years or older.
(6) 
First-time canine park users should consider visiting the park during nonpeak times.
(7) 
The Township may close the site at any time for maintenance, inclement weather or turf conditions.
Prior to the issuance of any permit, all users of the pavilion shall agree to be held responsible for any damage to trees, buildings and facilities of the Township and the satisfactory cleaning up of the premises. Any expense incurred by the Township in repairing damaged property or cleaning of debris shall be billed to and paid by the individual or group issued the permit.
The Township assumes no responsibility for injury or death of any individual occurring within the recreation places, and all users of said recreation places hereby agree to assume the risk of any such injury or death.
Any person to whom a permit is issued for the use of the pavilion facilities of any recreation places shall be responsible for those persons using said pavilion facilities and shall be present at the recreation place on the date and during the times for which the permit was issued.
The Township reserves the right to refuse, at its discretion, any permit requested for just cause and, further, reserves the right to revoke any permit previously issued for just cause.
The Township may, in the best interest of the Township, close the recreation places at any time.
The Township of Lower Saucon Council shall have the power, by ordinance or resolution, to establish additional rules and regulations from time to time as the need may arise. All persons visiting any of said recreation places shall be subject to said rules and regulations.
[Amended 9-18-1996 by Ord. No. 96-10; 5-20-1998 by Ord. No. 98-17; 3-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-01]
This chapter shall be enforced by action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. Any person who violates or permits the violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding, be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense. Each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense.