As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly
appears from the context:
PARK or PARKS
Unless specifically limited, includes all parks, playgrounds,
recreation areas, tennis courts, beaches, recreation structures and
facilities, and also entrances and approaches thereto, and all other
land or property or structures under the jurisdiction of the Girard
Township Supervisors now or hereafter owned or acquired by Girard
Township for park or recreational purposes.
PERSON
Any natural person, corporation, organization of persons,
company, association or partnership.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Any rules and regulations hereby or hereafter promulgated
by the Girard Township Supervisors under the authority herein conferred.
All parks shall be opened to the public at such
hours as the Girard Township Supervisors may from time to time designate.
No person in attendance at a park shall:
A. Injure, deface, remove, cut or damage any of the trees,
plants, shrubs, turf, buildings, structures, signs or fixtures or
any other property of Girard Township.
B. Litter any area of the park with garbage, paper, bottles,
cans or other waste materials, nor dispose of the same in any way
except in receptacles designated for such purpose.
C. Kindle or maintain any fire in the park except in
fireplaces or areas specifically designated for that purpose and located
by authority of the Girard Township Supervisors.
D. Remove any bench, seat, table or other appliance without
permission of the Girard Township Supervisors.
E. Injure, deface, or destroy or remove any notice, rule
or regulation posted at any place within the park by authority of
the Girard Township Supervisors, nor shall any notice or placard be
posted within the park other than by authority of the Girard Township
Supervisors.
F. Set up any booth, table or stand for the sale of any
article or service whatsoever within the limits of the park without
permission of the Girard Township Supervisors; distribute, sell, service
or rent any services or commodity or solicit for any purpose without
permission of the Girard Township Supervisors.
G. Operate, stop or park any vehicle, bicycle or other
means of conveyance except in areas where permitted or designated
by proper authority of the Girard Township Supervisors, or operate
the same in a reckless or negligent manner or in excess of any posted
speed limit or in such a manner as to become a nuisance to other area
users.
H. Operate commercial vehicles unless providing authorized
services.
I. Bring onto the premises, possess or consume any alcoholic
beverages or illegal drugs of any kind. No person shall enter the
park in any intoxicated state or otherwise be under the influence
of alcohol or illegal drugs.
J. Carry or discharge any firearms, slingshots, firecrackers,
fireworks or other missile-propelling instruments, explosives, arrows
or other dangerous weapons which have such properties as to cause
annoyance or injury to any person or property, unless permission has
been granted by the Girard Township Supervisors in designated areas.
Police officers in the performance of their duties will be exempt
from these provisions.
K. Play ball, swim, golf, pitch horseshoes, engage in
archery, camp or launch, dock or land any boat, engage in finding
buried objects with special detectors or participate in any other
form of recreation, sporting endeavor or pastime except in those areas
which may be designated from time to time by the Girard Township Supervisors.
L. Disrobe or change clothing except in buildings or
facilities made available for that purpose.
M. Disturb the peace by any conduct so as to annoy any
other person using the park for recreational purposes.
N. Operate a snowmobile, minibike, motorcycle or any
vehicle, recreational or otherwise, except on designated roads, trails
or other roads set aside for their use.
O. Use threatening, abusive, insulting, profane or obscene
language or words.
P. Commit any disorderly or immoral acts.
Q. Hold any public meeting or rally with more than five
persons or engage in any marching or driving as members of a military,
political or other organization without permission of the Girard Township
Supervisors, which requires a statement of information, including
the name of the organization, its purpose, number of persons expected
to be invited, expected duration and name of person in charge.
R. Disobey a proper order of a police officer, or disobey
or fail to comply with any rule or regulation, warning, prohibition,
instruction or direction given by an authorized person and posted
or displayed by sign, notice, bulletin, card, poster or when notified
or informed as to its existence by an authorized person.
S. Hunt for, capture or kill, or attempt to capture or
kill, or aid or assist in capturing or killing of, in any manner,
any wild bird or wild animal of any description, either game or otherwise;
and to that end, it is unlawful for any person to carry onto or possess
in any park a shotgun, rifle, pistol or firearm of any make or kind
unless specific permission is granted for a designated area by authority
of the Girard Township Supervisors.
T. Allow pets to run at large.
All laws pertaining to fishing in the commonwealth
shall apply to fishing in parks and recreation areas, and provisions
thereof are hereby incorporated by reference.
The use of all parks shall be on a first-come
first-served basis unless otherwise reserved by permission granted
by the Girard Township Supervisors.
Recreation facilities which become hazardous
for public use due to weather, water, fire or unforeseeable conditions
may be closed at the discretion of the Girard Township Supervisors.
Any person who violates or permits a violation
of this chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil
enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a Magisterial
District Judge, pay a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs,
including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the Township in
the enforcement of this chapter. No judgment shall be imposed until
the date of the determination of the violation by the Magisterial
District Judge. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the
judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable
Rules of Civil Procedure. Each day a violation exists shall constitute
a separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of
the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including
injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.