For the purposes of this article, "recreational
areas" include all Town parks, beaches, ponds, forests and other areas
used for recreational purposes, including playgrounds, ballfields
and docks; and also vehicle parking facilities adjacent to recreational
areas.
[Amended 2-11-2019 by Ord. No. 18-16]
Except as otherwise posted, all recreational areas shall be
open to the general public from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. The Birdseye
Street and Broad Street launching areas shall be open on a twenty-four-hour
basis for the actual launching and retrieving of vessels by those
exhibiting valid launching permits. Bonds Dock and the adjacent parking
area shall be open on a twenty-four-hour basis for the purpose of
fishing by those exhibiting valid fishing licenses, but shall only
be open from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. for all other purposes.
No person shall possess or drink alcoholic beverages,
including the use of beer in kegs, in any of the following areas:
ballfields, athletic fields, boat-launching ramps, tot-lots, school
grounds, the Lordship Sea Wall and all parks and beaches, including
parking lots, but excluding those areas designated "picnic areas."
No person shall perform or participate directly
in the performance of any conduct in a recreational area which would
endanger the safety of any person who is present at or using the recreational
area.
No person shall engage in boisterous conduct
annoying to others, play music excessively loud so as to be annoying
to others, threaten others, become intoxicated or otherwise engage
in conduct which unreasonably interferes with the ability of others
to use the recreational area.
No person shall carry or discharge any firearm,
air rifle, gas weapon, slingshot, bow and arrow, crossbow, firecracker,
fireworks or any other weapon in any recreational area, except pursuant
to a valid permit issued by the governmental authority having jurisdiction.
No person shall golf in any recreational area
unless designated for that purpose.
No child under the age of eight shall use any
recreational area unless under the supervision of an adult, an instructor
or counselor approved by the Town or a person at least 12 years of
age designated by the child's parent or guardian.
[Amended 2-14-2011 by Ord. No. 11-02]
A. Restricted areas. No person shall bring any animal, including any dog, onto a beach or beach parking area, nor shall any person permit such an animal subject to his ownership or control to be at such an area, except during periods of time when beach recreation is out of season, as established by the Department of Recreation, and where, during such out-of-season periods, such dog or other animal is under the control of a leash in accordance with Subsection
B below and §
83-15 of the Stratford Town Code. No person shall bring such an animal to or permit such an animal subject to his ownership or control to be in any other recreational area in which the Town has posted a sign prohibiting animals.
B. Nonrestricted
areas. Dogs and other similar pets are permitted in nonrestricted
areas of recreational areas only on leashes and under the control
of their owners or other persons responsible for their supervision.
No leash shall exceed seven feet in length.
C. Drinking
water faucets. No person shall use a drinking water faucet for the
watering of pets or animals.
D. Persons accompanying dogs or other pets into public recreational areas or other areas where such animals are permitted shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of all litter produced by said pets. The failure to remove such litter shall result in the owner, keeper or person then walking or otherwise in charge of said animal being assessed with a fine in accordance with §
83-15 of the Stratford Town Code. For purposes of this subsection only, any person accompanying the animal shall be considered a keeper of the animal.
E. Exception.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to a guide dog accompanying
any blind person.
[Added 3-13-2017 by Ord.
No. 17-01]
A. Location. No person shall camp in any portion of a recreational area
other than one designated by the Town for camping.
B. Permits. No person shall camp at the Youth Campground at Short Beach
unless part of an officially recognized Stratford youth organization
with proof of insurance and with adult leaders who have completed
the necessary youth protection training for the requesting organization.
Camping permits shall only be issued by the Department of Public Works
or other designated person. No camping permit will be issued after
camp closing time. No permit may be issued to a minor. When a camping
party includes one or more minors, the camping permit shall be issued
to an adult who accepts responsibility for the conduct of such minor
or minors who are members of the party.
C. Hours. The camp day shall extend from the time of arrival until 12:00
noon of the last day covered by the permit. Campers shall observe
quiet between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Campers shall
extinguish all lights other than those needed for safety after 11:00
p.m.
D. Visitors. All visitors obtaining camping permits shall provide the
names and addresses of all campers and visitors to the Department
of Public Works or designated person at the time the camping permit
is requested. Unauthorized visitors shall provide their names and
addresses to the ranger or manager on duty upon request. Visitors,
whether authorized or not, shall not be permitted to remain within
a campground after posted closing hours.
E. Trespassing. No person shall trespass onto a camp lot leased to another
person.
F. All youth organizations shall abide by the nondiscriminatory policies
set forth by the Town of Stratford.
No person shall operate a vessel or personal
watercraft, including one towing a skier or being used for fishing,
within 300 feet waterward of any Town-designated swimming area. No
person shall moor a boat within 300 feet waterward of any such area.
Any lifeguard employed by the Town shall, while
on duty, have the power to enforce the provisions of this article
concerning beaches and public bathing areas.
Any person who violates any provision of this
article shall be fined not less than $25 and not more than $100.