This chapter shall be known as the "Rules and
Regulations of Allegheny Township Parks and Trails."
In the interpretation of the rules and regulations
affecting Allegheny Township parks and trails, their provisions shall
be construed as follows:
A. Any term in the singular shall include the plural.
B. Any term in the masculine shall include the feminine.
C. Any requirement or provision of these rules and regulations
relating to any act shall respectively extend to and include the causing,
procuring, aiding or abetting, directly or indirectly, of such act;
or the permitting or the allowing of any minor in the custody of any
persons, doing any act prohibited by any provision thereof.
D. No provision hereof shall make unlawful any act necessarily
performed by any Allegheny Township police officer or employee of
Allegheny Township in the line of duty or work as such, or by any
person, his agents or employees, in the proper and necessary execution
of the terms of any agreement with Allegheny Township.
E. Any act otherwise prohibited by rules and regulations,
provided it is not otherwise prohibited by law or local ordinance,
shall be unlawful if performed under, by virtue of and strictly in
compliance with the provisions of a permit and to the extent authorized
thereby.
F. These rules and regulations are in addition to and
supplement all state and federal laws.
Except where the context clearly indicates otherwise,
the following terms used in this chapter shall have the following
meanings:
EXCRETA
All matter eliminated from the bodily system, such as sputum,
urine, fecal matter.
PARK
Any lands, waters or facilities owned or leased by Allegheny
Township and designed or used by Allegheny Township for park and recreation
purposes.
PEACE OFFICER
Any person who, by virtue of his office or public employment,
is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests
for offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is limited
to specific offenses.
PERMIT
Any written authorization issued by or under the authority
of the Township of Allegheny permitting specified privileges.
PERSON
Any natural person, corporation, organization of persons,
company, association or partnership.
TRAIL
Any lands, water or facilities owned or leased by Allegheny
Township and designed or used by Allegheny Township for park and recreation
purposes.
No person except those authorized by Allegheny
Township or conducting official business shall, on any Township-owned
or -leased property:
A. Disfiguration and removal: mark, deface, disfigure,
injure, disturb, displace or remove, befoul, destroy or cause to be
destroyed any building, table, bench, railing, paving, water lines
or other public utilities or parts of appurtenances thereof, signs,
notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes,
posts, surveying lines, surveying monuments or other boundary markers
or other structures of equipment, facilities or Township-owned or
-leased property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.
B. Rest rooms: fail to maintain rest rooms in a neat,
clean and sanitary condition or vandalize or deface rest rooms within
the park.
C. Removal of natural resources: dig or remove any soil,
rock, stones, trees, shrubs or plantings, downed timber or other wood
or materials or make any excavations by tool, equipment, blasting
or other means or agency unless granted a permit by Allegheny Township.
D. Erection of structures: construct or erect any building,
tent or structure of whatever kind, whether temporary or permanent
in character, run or string any public service utility into, upon
or across such lands or water, unless granted a permit by Allegheny
Township.
E. Trees, shrubbery and landscape: damage, cut, carve,
transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark or pick
the flowers, leaves or seeds of any trees or plants; nor shall any
person attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant.
No person shall dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any
other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any
area.
F. Refuse and trash: have brought in or shall dump, deposit,
discard or leave any broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, cups,
glasses, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse or other trash. No
such refuse or trash shall be left anywhere on the ground thereof,
but shall be placed in the proper receptacles. If receptacles are
not provided, the person or persons responsible shall carry all such
rubbish and waste away from the property for its presence and see
that it is properly disposed of elsewhere.
G. Spilling of deleterious substance: pour or cause to
spill or permit to escape or otherwise discharge any oil, gasoline,
salt, acid or other deleterious substance, whether liquid, solid or
gaseous.
H. Human excrement: emit, eject, discharge or cause to
be deposited any excreta of the human body except in the proper receptacles
designated for such purpose.
I. Wildlife and other animals: kill, injure, trap, hunt,
pursue, torture or, in any manner, deliberately disturb or cause to
be disturbed any wild or domesticated bird or animal within the parks
and trails.
The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Act 81, June
17, 1976, Title 75, is hereby declared to be in effect in all parks, trails
and recreational facilities owned or leased by Allegheny Township,
with like effect as though set forth herein in full, and the traffic
rules and regulations set forth herein are in addition to and supplement
the Vehicle Code. No person except those authorized by Allegheny Township,
or conducting official county, state or federal business, shall on
any Township-owned or -leased property:
A. Enforcement of traffic regulations: fail to obey all
persons properly authorized by Allegheny Township.
B. Operations: drive any vehicle on any area except the
paved roads or parking areas or such other areas as may on occasion
be specifically designated as temporary roads or parking areas by
Allegheny Township.
C. Commercial traffic: operate any commercial vehicle
other than that necessary to service a park, within the park, on any
Township-, county- or state-owned property, unless granted a permit.
D. Recreation vehicle and trailers registration: operate
any unregistered recreational vehicle or recreational vehicle trailer
in the park when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any other state
requires registration.
E. Recreational vehicles and trailers: operate any recreational
vehicle in other than an established or designated trail, road or
area for that purpose. No person shall park a recreational vehicle
trailer or any other trailer, wagon or buggy anywhere other than an
established or designated area for that purpose. Snowmobiles, trail
bikes, minibikes and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited in the parks
and on the trails.
F. Bicycles and tricycles: operate or ride a bicycle
or tricycle anywhere other than a trail or area designated for that
purpose, except that such vehicles shall be permitted on motorized
roads and parking lots. A person shall be permitted to wheel or push
a bicycle or tricycle by hand over the turf area, trail or on paved
areas reserved for pedestrian use. No person shall leave a bicycle
or tricycle lying on the ground or paving or set against trees or
shrubs or in any place or position where other persons may trip over,
walk into or be injured by them. No person shall leave a bicycle or
tricycle at a place other than a rack for parking when such is provided
and there is space available. No person shall carry another person
upon the frame or handlebars of any bicycle or tricycle.
G. Vehicle weight limits on park roads: operate any vehicle
with a loaded weight in excess of 10,000 pounds on any park road or
trail, unless granted a permit, where use of such vehicle is needed
for park-sponsored or park-sanctioned recreational events or park
purposes.
H. All-terrain vehicles: operate any all-terrain vehicles
commonly known as "quad runners," "trikes" or "dirt bikes" in any
Township-owned or -leased park, trail or recreation area, unless granted
a permit, where use of such vehicle is needed for park-sponsored or
park-sanctioned recreational events or park purposes.
No person, except those authorized by Allegheny
Township or conducting official Township business in any and all parks
and trails owned or leased by Allegheny Township, shall:
A. Hunting, trapping and firearms: hunt, trap, carry,
bring into and/or discharge any type of gun, pistol, revolver, air
gun, bow and arrow, slingshot or any other weapon in any Allegheny
Township park or trail except in those specified areas designated
for such purpose, nor shall any person shoot into any park or county-
or state-owned properties from beyond its boundaries.
B. Fireworks: fire, discharge, set off, explode, bring
into or possess any rocket, firecracker, torpedo, missile or any other
fireworks or type of fireworks or any substance of an explosive nature
within any park or on any Township-owned or -leased properties.
C. Contraband. All game, animals, fowl and birds hunted,
killed, taken, destroyed, bought, sold, bartered or had in possession,
contrary to any of the provisions herein, and the same declared to
be contraband, shall be subject to seizure and confiscation and shall
be turned over to the Pennsylvania Game Commission with the responsible
person to face further legal action as deemed necessary. Any weapon
or object carried or used by any person in violation of these rules
shall be subject to seizure by the appropriate authority or its agents
and disposed of according to law.
D. Knives, hatchets and axes: possess any type of knife,
hatchet or axe, unless engaged in appropriate use.
E. Horse and horseback riding: ride or walk a horse in
any Allegheny Township-owned or -leased park, trail or recreation
area, unless granted a permit where horses or horseback riding is
needed for park-sponsored or park-sanctioned recreational events or
park purposes.
F. Camping: camp in any Allegheny Township-owned or -leased
park or trail at any time, unless granted a permit by Allegheny Township.
G. Power-driven models: bring into or operate any type
of power-driven model unless granted a permit by Allegheny Township.
Power-driven models include, but shall not be limited to, motorized
model airplanes, radio-controlled vehicles, etc.
H. Horseshoes: play horseshoes or erect horseshoe facilities
in any area other than those courts provided for that purpose, unless
granted a permit by Allegheny Township.
I. Games and gaming equipment: participate in any games
or activities in any area that will unreasonably interfere with or
detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreational
enjoyment of others. No person shall erect any equipment that requires
digging for installation nor shall any equipment that requires pipe
standards of more than 1/2 inch in diameter be erected in any area,
unless granted a permit by Allegheny Township.
No person, except those authorized by Allegheny
Township or conducting official business in any Allegheny Township-owned
or -leased park, trail or recreational area, shall:
A. Animals: bring a domesticated animal within any park
without being controlled by a leash not more than six feet long and
must be within designated areas only. The owner or other person bringing
an animal into any Allegheny Township-owned or -leased park or trail
shall be responsible for any damage caused by the animal and for the
cleaning and properly disposing of any feces of such animal. No person
shall bring any reptile or dangerous animal into the park.
B. Controlled substances, drugs and devices: possess,
transport, solicit, offer for sale or use any controlled substance,
drug or device in violation of Act 64, "The Controlled Substance,
Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act," or any other related laws. No person shall enter any Allegheny
Township-owned or -leased park or trail while under the influence
of any controlled substance or drug in violation of the Controlled
Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.
C. Maintenance and storage area: enter into or attempt
to enter into any and all maintenance and storage areas without permission
from the Allegheny Township Superintendent of Public Works or authorized
agent without adequate supervision.
D. Games of chance: participate in or abet any game of
chance, unless the game is authorized and regulated by the applicable
officials of Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County or the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania and the required permits are obtained.
E. Fires: build or attempt to build or start fires except
in picnic areas and under supervision. No person shall drop, throw
or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars,
tobacco, paper or other inflammable materials, whether solid, liquid
or gaseous, within any park area or on any highway, road or street
abutting or contiguous thereto, nor leave any fire, grill or stove
unattended when in operation in any Allegheny Township-owned or -leased
park, trail or recreation area.
F. Closed areas: enter into or attempt to enter into
any area which is locked or posted "Closed" or "Do Not Enter."
G. Behavior.
(1) Assault, hinder, harass, intimidate, threaten or obstruct
any person, agent or agencies in the enforcement of this chapter or
while conducting official Township business.
(2) Disturb the peace or use profane, indecent or obscene
language.
(3) Endanger the safety or health of any person by any
conduct or act.
(4) Violate any rule of this chapter.
(5) Prevent any person from using the park or park facilities
or interfere with such use in compliance with this chapter and the
rules and regulations applicable to such use.
(6) Act in an unlawful, disorderly or disruptive manner
or against the best interest of the park areas or other people.
(7) Commit any unnatural or violent act against any person,
properties or facilities.
(8) Throw, discharge or cause to be discharged any missiles
or projectiles.
(9) Congregate in or within 10 yards of any parking area,
road, road berms or parked vehicles, provided that this prohibition
shall not apply to pavilion areas when the pavilion is reserved, areas
where congregation is authorized by permit or other specifically posted
or designated areas.
(10) Engage in any conduct which may distract vehicle drivers
or which may impede or interrupt the flow of traffic.
H. Intoxicating beverages. No intoxicating beverages
shall be consumed in, on or within 20 yards of any parking areas,
roads, road berms or vehicles.
I. Bottles. No glass bottled beverages or glass containers
are permitted. Plastic drink bottles are permitted.
J. Minors. No person under the age of 21 shall possess,
transport or consume alcoholic beverages. No person shall provide,
furnish or knowingly permit any person under the age of 21 to possess,
consume or transport alcoholic beverages.
No person except those authorized by Allegheny
Township or conducting official Township business in any Allegheny
Township-owned or -leased park, trail or recreation area shall:
A. Vending and peddling: expose or offer for sale or
trade any article, thing or service nor any person or station or place
any stand, cart or vehicle for the transportation, sale, trade or
display of any such thing or service, except when a permit is issued
for such purposes by the Township.
B. Advertising: announce, advertise or call public attention
to any manner, any article, thing or service for sale, trade or hire
except when a permit is issued for such purposes by the Township.
The Allegheny Township Board of Supervisors
and agents designated by it, primarily the Allegheny Township Police
Department, shall administer the provisions of this chapter, including
the establishment and collection of fees, preparation of application
forms, issuance and revocation of permits, promulgation of rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter and all other
decisions relative thereto. When acts or conduct of individuals or
groups are determined to be in violation of the chapter or rules and
regulations promulgated by the authority of the chapter; or not to
be in the best interest of the recreation, park conservancy sites
or other Township-owned or -leased properties; or when such acts or
conduct endangers other people, private or public property; or when
such acts are deemed to be disruptive to the surrounding neighborhood,
the Township police, Superintendent of Public Works or his agent assigned
may expel the perpetrators from the area or call the Allegheny Township
police to arrest and detain such individual or individuals or issue
a citation for the violation of the chapter with a District Justice.