Chapter 116 Parks and Recreation

Motor vehicles may not be parked within the parks or public open spaces and recreational areas, except in designated parking areas.

No vehicles shall be parked overnight without the approval of the Township.

Grass areas. Grass areas must not be used for roadways, parking or for other purposes which may injure or destroy the turf or landscaping.

Automobile and vehicular use.

Unauthorized motor vehicles, whether licensed or unlicensed, including motorbikes, motorcycles, minibikes, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles, are not permitted within the parks, open spaces or recreational areas.

All vehicles are restricted to roadways except those used for maintenance or police work.

No person shall polish, paint, grease, lubricate or repair mechanically any vehicle or have any other work performed on it within the confines of the Township parks, open spaces or recreation areas, except of a minor nature and then only in cases of emergency.

The Pine Township Board of Supervisors shall regulate speed, traffic control and vehicular regulations on and about any roads, driveways, parking areas or other areas within any of the Township's parks. Such regulations will be prominently posted in the parks and will be strictly enforced by the police.

The following activities and uses are prohibited:

Camping.

Hunting.

Shooting.

Trapping.

Metal detecting.

The possession or use of firearms, air rifles, spring guns, bow and arrows (except on a defined range approved by the Police Department, if any), slingshots, BB guns or rifles or darts.

(7)

Destruction of or interference with wildlife or their feeding grounds, nests or resting or breeding places.

(8)

Open burning.

(9)

Private gardens.

(10)

Organized team and/or league sports except with written approval of the Township Manager.

(11)

Unprescribed drugs. Possession of unprescribed drugs is prohibited in any park, open space or recreation area of Pine Township.

[Amended 9-18-1991 by Res. No. 381]

(12)

Alcoholic beverages. The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the Township's parks shall be allowed under the authority of a permit granted by the Township.

[Added 9-18-1991 by Res. No. 381]

(13)

The operation of model rockets of any type (whether powered by solid or liquid fuel) unless in compliance with the following:

[Added 9-4-2007 by Ord. No. 336]

(a)

Prior approval as an organized/group activity pursuant to a permit authorized by action of the Township's Parks and Recreation Commission (following its review of an appropriate written application). Any such permit shall, as a condition of its issuance, mandate compliance with safety requirements set by the Parks and Recreation Commission, including but not limited to those concerning needs for sufficient adult supervision, provision of appropriate insurance coverage, and availability of protection against damage or injury from fire.

(14)

The operation of small unmanned aircraft (either drones or motorized model airplanes) and remote-controlled vehicles which are powered by internal or external combustion engines. The operation of small unmanned aircraft (either drones or motorized model airplanes) and remote-controlled vehicles which are powered by electric or battery motors shall also be prohibited, unless in compliance with the following:

[Added 9-4-2007 by Ord. No. 336; amended 12-4-2017 by Ord. No. 384]

(a)

A motorized model airplane weighing less than four ounces, having a maximum airspeed of 10 miles per hour, and utilized in accordance with the basic safety precautions suggested by its manufacturer.

(b)

A motorized model airplane weighing between four ounces and a maximum of 24 ounces, having a maximum airspeed of 40 miles per hour, and utilized in accordance with the safety rules of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the basic safety precautions suggested by its manufacturer.

(c)

Any motorized model airplane or drone shall not have any sharp and/or metallic tips or moving parts; propellers shall have soft rubber or plastic safety spinners.

(d)

Operation shall not occur within close proximity to any other persons or in or upon any field upon which other organized activities are then taking place.

(e)

Operation by minors shall occur only under the direct supervision of his/her parent or legal guardian or other competent adult.

(f)

Responsibility for all risks associated with operation and for provision of insurance against any liability or loss shall be solely those of the operator (or, as applicable, his/her parents or legal guardians).

(g)

Any use of a drone for the purpose of photography shall require advance written permission issued by the Director of Parks and Recreation.

(h)

Nothing in the provisions of this Subsection E(14) shall be construed as modifying the requirements otherwise applicable to and imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of small unmanned aircraft (either drones or motorized model airplanes) in the National Airspace System.

(i)

Operation of any drone shall at all times be in accordance with basic safety precautions suggested by its manufacturer.

Animal control.

No animals are allowed in the parks or public open spaces or recreational areas unless attended and controlled by a leash.

Dogs are not permitted on ballfields or any play areas.

Horses shall be permitted on the park roadways, trails and nonplayground grassy areas only. Horses are not permitted in any ballfields or in picnic areas.

The individual in charge of an animal entering any park or recreational area is required to be in possession of proper implements for the gathering and disposal of animal feces. All feces will be collected immediately, removed from the park or recreational area and disposed of in accordance with accepted sanitary standards.

Fires.

Fires may be built only in fireplaces provided or in grills brought to the park for this purpose.

All fires will be extinguished before leaving.

No person shall throw away or discard any lighted match, cigar or cigarette in any park.

Campfires or fires for use in conjunction with scouting or social activities which cannot be accommodated in existing fireplaces or grills may be permitted upon application to and upon written approval from the Township Manager.

Respect for park property.

Cutting, mutilating, removing or taking away of trees, shrubs, turf, plants, flower or other natural phenomena or the removal, defacing or damaging of any park or recreational area property, including but not limited to buildings, equipment, supplies or other property, is prohibited.

Buildings, fences, fountains, statuary, benches, signs or other structures must not be injured or defaced in any way.

Games, contests or sports are permitted only in areas designed for such use and in no case shall such use be permitted in areas where lawns or planting may be injured or where such games or contests may be in conflict with park regulations.

Defacing, littering or making unsanitary any rest rooms, washrooms or other facilities or preventing the proper drainage of any toilet, pipe or drain is prohibited.

(5)

Moving of picnic tables or other park equipment is prohibited.

(6)

Any person using a Township park, with or without a permit, shall be fully and financially responsible for any damages that person may inflict upon park property and equipment.

Alcohol and drug use. No person shall be present in any Township park, open space or recreational area while under the influence of intoxicating beverages, drugs or other controlled substances.

Conduct.

Disorderly conduct as defined in statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ordinances of the Township of Pine or in the common law, is prohibited.

All use of any indecent, lewd or vulgar behavior or language is prohibited.

Group activities. Group activities are prohibited in Township parks, open spaces and recreational areas, except that the same may be conducted only after a permit has been obtained from the Township Manager.

Disposal of waste material.

No person shall discard any form of waste material, paper or rubbish except in containers supplied for that purpose.

Violators will be prosecuted and subject to a fine.

Picnics.

Picnics will be allowed only on locations provided for that purpose.

Persons holding picnics shall clean up and place all wastepaper and other refuse in receptacles provided for that purpose.

Permits for use of buildings and recreation facilities may be obtained from the Township office.

Peddling and soliciting. No person shall peddle or solicit, of any nature whatsoever, within the limits of any Township park or public open space or recreation area without the permission of the Township or such recreation commission or department as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Supervisors of Pine Township.

Amplification and sound systems. When amplifying or sound systems are used, the maximum time permitted shall be used only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Noise levels which disturb the peace are not permitted.

§ 116-2 Use of park facilities.

Preparation of facilities for usage; security deposit.

Preparation of park facilities for use shall be the responsibility of the Township or such recreation commission or department as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Supervisors.

A security deposit may be required for the use of park facilities.

Opening of buildings; cancellation of activities.

The Township or such recreation commission, department or individual as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Supervisors, shall have the discretion to cancel activities due to weather or other circumstances.

§ 116-4 Rules and regulations applicable to Pine Community Center.

Park buildings shall only be open under the direct supervision of the Township or such recreation commission or department designated from time to time by the Board of Supervisors.

Establishing and amending regulations. The Board of Supervisors of Pine Township may, by resolution, from time to time establish additional rules and regulations, and, if it so desires, alter, amend and supplement the rules and regulations established herein for the operation, use and protection of the Township parks. Such rules and regulations may include, but shall not be limited to, regulations governing the times for the presence of persons therein, the nature and extent of the permitted and prohibited uses thereof and such other matters as the Board of Supervisors may deem necessary or proper for the protection of the parks and persons and property therein.

Posting of regulations. All rules and regulations established under the authority of this chapter and established hereafter shall be posted at a conspicuous place or places in each park to which they are applicable. Appropriate signs may be posted to direct or warn persons with respect to the rules and regulations and their operation.

§ 116-3 Violations and penalties.

Any person or other entity violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof before a Justice, be fined $300, plus costs of prosecution, for each and every offense.

Each and every violation of any provision of the terms of this chapter and each and every day a violation occurs shall constitute a separate and distinct offense under this chapter, and each such offense shall be subject to separate and distinct penalties hereunder.

The penalties provided in this section shall not be the exclusive method of enforcing compliance with the provisions of this chapter, but shall be in addition to all other legal and equitable remedies available to Pine Township.

[Added 2-17-2015 by Res. No. 918]

The rules and regulations set forth in this chapter shall be applicable to the structure identified as the "Pine Community Center" (located within Pine Community Park), to its surrounding area and amenities, and to functions and activities occurring within it.

In addition to the rules and regulations previously set forth in this chapter, the Pine Community Center and the functions and activities occurring within it shall also be subject to the provisions of the General Facility Rules and Regulations attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Sard Exhibit A is on file in the Township offices.

The following activities shall be prohibited in the Community Center:

Activities (including but not limited to the sale or attempted sale of any article whatsoever) by any person unauthorized by the Township of Pine and acting as a peddler, solicitor, canvasser, transient merchant, or itinerant vendor (as such terms are defined in Chapter 120 of the Code of the Township of Pine).