[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Hudson as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Trees — See Ch. 229.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 254.
[Adopted by Ord. No. 1-81 as Ch. 14 of the 1981 Code]
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00; 12-21-2015 by Ord. No. 10-15]
The City of Hudson Park Map(s) dated November 6, 2015, are hereby approved, and are on file in the City Clerk's office. A copy of said map(s) are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PARK
All parks, playgrounds, recreation fields, beaches, lakes and streams, rivers, piers and docks, mooring areas, buildings and public service facilities therein owned by the City and outlined in the City of Hudson Park Map.
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
[Amended by Ord. No. 12-95; 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
The Park Board shall consist of a member of the Common Council appointed annually by the Mayor and six additional citizen members, each appointed for a five-year term. All appointees shall be subject to confirmation by the Common Council and shall serve without compensation. The Park Board shall elect its own officers on May 1 of each year, shall be responsible to the Finance Committee and shall act in an advisory capacity having the following duties:
A. 
To make studies and recommendations relative to the operation and maintenance of the park system.
B. 
To make studies and recommendations relative to the sanitary conditions of the bodies of water which are under the jurisdiction of the City.
C. 
To make studies and recommendations relative to boating, swimming and related recreational activities utilizing the bodies of water under the jurisdiction of the City.
D. 
To determine the present and future needs of the parks and make recommendations.
E. 
To make recommendations in matters of parkland acquisition and disposal.
F. 
To submit an annual budget to the Finance Committee.
The Director of Parks and Recreation shall be hired by the Common Council and shall be responsible for the condition of park property, including overseeing the operation of the parks, including water-related areas.
A. 
Hours and use. Park hours shall be posted in each individual park. No person shall be in any park area during closed hours. Use of all park facilities, shall comply with all posted signs.
[Amended by Ord. No. 22-95; 10-2-2006 by Ord. No. 14-06]
B. 
Reservations. Reservations for group activities shall be arranged through the office of the Director of Parks and Recreation. Groups having reservations shall have the right to use space reserved to the exclusion of unauthorized persons.
C. 
Motor vehicles. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in any park in excess of 15 miles per hour or drive on any areas except roadways or park except in designated parking lots or by permission of the Director of Parks and Recreation or Chief of Police. No vehicle may be left in a closed park overnight except by permission of the Director of Parks and Recreation or Chief of Police.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 235, Vehicles and Traffic.
D. 
Use of intoxicating beverage.[2] No person shall consume intoxicating beverages in any park, except that intoxicating beverages may be consumed in areas of the parks designated by the Common Council for the consumption of intoxicating beverages and subject to such rules and regulations as approved by the Common Council. Areas designated as allowing consumption of intoxicating beverages shall be posted by appropriate signage.
[Amended by Ord. No. 15-91; 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
[2]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 145, Intoxicating Liquor and Fermented Malt Beverages.
E. 
There shall be no smoking in and around park buildings and in any other areas within City parks which the Superintendent of Parks designates and posts as no smoking areas.
[Added 10-21-2002 by Ord. No. 17-02]
F. 
The feeding of ducks, geese, deer, and other wild, nondomestic animals in City parks is prohibited, except the feeding of deer with written approval by the Common Council as part of a deer control program.
[Added 4-17-2006 by Ord. No. 7-06; amended 4-19-2010 by Ord. No. 5-10]
[Amended by Ord. No. 7-84]
No person shall sell or offer for sale any item or article in any park or street adjacent to any park area, except as provided herein.
A. 
Each vendor shall hold a valid seller's permit issued by the City under Chapter 124, Direct Sellers and Solicitors, of this Municipal Code.
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
B. 
Any van or other motor vehicle or trailer used by the vendor for preparation or storage of food items shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Director of Parks and Recreation.
C. 
The Director of Parks and Recreation, on application forms provided by the Parks Department, shall approve the sales location and hours of operation of each vendor.
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
D. 
Each vendor shall fully comply with all City ordinances and other regulations administered by the Director of Parks and Recreation. Violation of City ordinances or other regulations shall be grounds for revocation of the seller's permit. The Common Council, upon recommendation by the Park Board, shall establish a written policy for vendors conducting sales under this section.
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
A. 
No person shall in any way injure, damage or deface any public property in any park.
B. 
Littering. No person shall leave garbage, rubbish or bottles of any kind anywhere in any park except in receptacles provided for that purpose.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 154, Littering, § 154-8.
C. 
Protection of birds and animals. No person shall molest or harm any bird or animal in any park.
D. 
Protection of flowers and trees. No unauthorized person shall pick or cut any wild or cultivated flower or in any way injure any tree, shrub or plant in any park nor remove any part of any plant from any park.
E. 
Park equipment. No unauthorized person shall remove any park equipment, soil or material of any kind from any park.
[Amended by Ord. No. 19-94; 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
No person shall bring any unleashed pet into any park or playground. Length of leash is limited to 10 feet. No person shall bring any leashed pet into Grandview Community Park or any other park as designated by the Common Council and posted with appropriate signage.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 99, Animals.
[Amended 10-2-2006 by Ord. No. 14-06]
No person shall start a fire in any park, except that small fires for cooking may be kindled only in outdoor barbecues or grills provided for that purpose. Use of the fireplaces in park buildings shall require a permit issued by the Office of the Parks Director, subject to fees and rules established by the Office of the Parks Director. The purpose of permit rules and fees is to assure safe and appropriate use of the fireplaces, to protect against damage to the park and park facilities, and to assure clean-up of the facility after use. Use of the fireplaces in park buildings without a permit is prohibited.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 110, Burning, Open.
[Amended 10-21-2002 by Ord. No. 17-02]
No person shall use threatening, profane, abusive, disorderly or indecent language or behave in a noisy, boisterous or disorderly manner, or obstruct public sidewalks, or appear in the nude or do any act tending to be a breach of the peace in any park.
A. 
Designated. The lakefront and dike area is designated on the City of Hudson Park Map.
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
B. 
Bathing beach.
[Amended by Ord. No. 6-92]
(1) 
The bathing beach shall be the fenced area marked by proper water markers in accordance with the regulations of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the United States Coast Guard. Lifeguards shall post regulations governing the use of the bathing beach.
(2) 
The present bathing beach shall be located 80 feet west of the Lakefront Park bathhouse. The southern border will be located 103 feet south of the south wall of the bathhouse and extend 150 feet to the west. The northern border will be located 75 feet to the north of the north wall of the bathhouse and extend 150 feet to the west. The western border runs 250 feet from the west end of the one-hundred-fifty-foot extensions of the southern and northern borders. The distance between the north and south borders is 250 feet, creating a swim area of 250 feet by 150 feet.
(3) 
The bathhouse in Lakefront Park is provided for the use and convenience of those using the beach and shall be used only by persons using the beach or attending scheduled park activities.
[Added 10-21-2002 by Ord. No. 17-02]
C. 
Boating regulations. The following regulations shall apply to boaters in the Lakefront and dike area:
[Amended by Ord. No. 6-92]
(1) 
This is a section solely to regulate boating upon the water of the St. Croix River adjacent to Lakefront Park and prescribing penalties for violation thereof.
[Amended by Ord. No. 13-93]
(2) 
Applicability and enforcement.
(a) 
The provisions of this section shall apply to the waters of the St. Croix River.
(b) 
This section shall be enforced by officers of the City and other duly authorized water patrols.
(3) 
Intent. The intent of this section is to provide safe and healthful conditions for the enjoyment of aquatic recreation consistent with public rights and interests and the capability of the water resources.
(4) 
State boating and safety laws adopted. State boating laws found in W.S.A. ss. 30.50 to 30.71 are adopted by reference.
(5) 
Definitions. "Slow no-wake" means that speed at which a boat moves as slowly as possible while still maintaining steerage control.
(6) 
Controlled area. No person shall operate a boat faster than slow no-wake in the waters of the St. Croix River in the area known as "Hudson Bay" beginning 150 feet from both sides of the Walnut Street Bridge on the dike road at any time. No person shall operate a boat faster than slow no-wake within 100 feet of the marked swimming area at Lakefront Park or any other buoyed restricted area at any time.
(7) 
Posting requirements. The City shall place and maintain a copy of this section at all public access points within the jurisdiction of the City. The City shall also place and maintain control buoys of the uniform waterway marking system type, as established in Section NR 5.09, Wisconsin Administrative Code, identifying the boundaries of the slow no-wake zone.
(8) 
Penalties. Wisconsin state boating penalties as found in W.S.A. s. 30.80 are adopted by reference.
D. 
Boat parking.
[Amended by Ord. No. 4-92; 6-19-2006 by Ord. No. 10-06]
(1) 
No boat shall be confined to the Lakefront seawall area or parked on the shore of Lakefront Park or on adjoining City land for a period in excess of four hours per day. No overnight parking of any boat shall be permitted in the Lakefront Park area without permission of the Director of Parks and Public Works or the Chief of Police. This subsection shall not apply to boats parked adjacent to piers and docks that are authorized under Hudson City Code § 181-13, or to dinghies owned by mooring permit holders as authorized under City Boat Mooring Area Rules and Policies.
[Amended 4-22-2013 by Ord. No. 1-13]
(2) 
No boat shall be operated or parked within 200 feet of the bathing beach area designated in Subsection B. No boats shall be parked between the posted "No Boat Parking" signs starting at the northwest corner of the dike easterly to where the rip-rap on the dike road starts.
(3) 
The City is authorized to tow boats parked in violation of these ordinances. Boat owners shall be required to pay towing, impound, and any other related fees before their boat is released.
E. 
Launching fee. All boat operators or boat owners using the launching facility in Lakefront Park shall pay the required daily launching facility fee. Any such owner or operator failing to pay the required daily fee shall be subject to a forfeiture as provided in this article. For third violations, in addition to a forfeiture, the City may immobilize the vehicle of any person who launches a boat without paying the launching fee.
[Added by Ord. No. 26-90; amended 6-19-2006 by Ord. No. 10-06]
F. 
Pollution. No person shall deposit any substance in the water which will result in pollution or cause harm to those using the waters under the City's jurisdiction.
G. 
Vehicles on ice. No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon frozen water within the jurisdiction of the City in a careless or negligent manner.
H. 
Fishing. Fishing shall be permitted anywhere in the waters of Lakefront Park and dike area except in designated swimming areas.
I. 
Lakefront boat parking regulations. The following regulations shall apply to the parking of vehicles and boat trailers in the boat parking lot of Lakefront Park:
[Added by Ord. No. 21-90]
(1) 
No vehicle or boat trailer shall be parked in the Lakefront boat trailer parking lot between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. of each day.
(2) 
Parking of vehicles and/or trailers shall comply with all posted parking lot signs. Such signs shall be consistent with parking lot policy approved by the Common Council. All violations of posted parking lot regulations shall be penalized as provided for herein and in § 235-29 of the Hudson City Code. In addition, the City is authorized to tow or immobilize vehicles parked in violation of this article and posted parking lot signs.
[Amended 6-19-2006 by Ord. No. 10-06]
(3) 
Any person who violates the provision of this Subsection I shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $5 nor more than $100, plus penalty assessment and cost.
J. 
Boat anchoring. This subsection shall apply to the area of the St. Croix River bounded on the south by Interstate 94 and on the north by the railroad track and bridge north of the dike road. No person shall anchor any boat in said area of the St. Croix River for longer than a ninety-six-hour period without vacating the described area of the St. Croix River for at least 48 hours, except if the boat is moored as allowed under § 181-14.
[Added 6-19-2006 by Ord. No. 10-06]
A. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DOCK
A structure built into a body of navigable water for loading, unloading or tying up boats.
PIER
A structure extending into navigable water for use as a landing place or promenade or to protect or form a harbor.
B. 
No person shall construct or maintain a pier or dock extending from the shoreline of any park or public area unless specific authority has been given by the Common Council. Any such pier or dock will be subject to removal upon 10 days' written notice given by the City to the owners.
C. 
No responsibility or liability will be assumed by the City for theft, damage or injury resulting from the use of piers or docks. No loitering or swimming is permitted on or from these piers or docks. No person shall approach or leave a pier or dock in a negligent or reckless manner.
A. 
Definitions. The following words have the designated meanings, unless a different meaning is expressly provided or the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
DINGHY
A small boat used solely by mooring permit holders to access their sailboat moored in the City of Hudson sailboat mooring area.
[Added 4-22-2013 by Ord. No. 1-13]
LOADING DOCK
A dock attached to the shore for loading or unloading boats.
MOORING
A device for anchoring a sailboat or power boat when not in use.
POWER BOAT
Any boat propelled exclusively by an internal combustion engine.
SAILBOAT
Any boat intended to be propelled primarily by the wind. It may be equipped with a motor for auxiliary use.
B. 
Area designated. The boat mooring area shall be designated on the official City of Hudson Park Map and shall be 300 feet in width and 1,300 feet along the shore of Dike Road.
C. 
Jurisdiction. The boat mooring area shall be under the jurisdiction of the Park Board.
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
D. 
Rules. The following are the rules of operation in the boat mooring area:
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00; 4-22-2013 by Ord. No. 1-13]
(1) 
Season. The annual mooring season shall be from April 15 to November 15 of each year. Written application for a mooring permit shall be made to the Director of Parks and Public Works no later than March 1 of each year. Drawing for available permits will be conducted by the Director of Parks and Public Works under the guidelines established by the Park Board.
(2) 
Priority. Boat mooring permits shall first be granted to anyone who held a permit during the preceding mooring season. Any mooring permit not renewed shall be considered terminated, and the mooring shall be vacated.
(3) 
Fee schedule. The fee schedule shall be determined by the Common Council, and payment thereof shall be due to the City Clerk within 10 days after the applicant has been notified by the Parks Department of the granting of the permit.
(4) 
Removal required. All boats and dinghies shall be removed from the water or dinghy storage area as applicable by November 15 of each year or they shall be towed in and stored at the owner's expense.
(5) 
Removal during July fireworks. All boats and dinghies shall be removed from the mooring area and the dinghy storage area by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the July fireworks. If not moved, the boat will be towed from the area or the dinghy removed from the dinghy storage area at the owner's expense. (NOTE: This is effective starting with the 2002 season by order of the U.S. Coast Guard.)
(6) 
Unloading dock. A boat shall not be left tied to the unloading dock longer than a reasonable time for loading and unloading.
(7) 
Liability. The City shall not be liable for any damages to boats or injury to owners, operators or guests caused by theft, failure of the mooring device system, vandalism, accidents, storms, flood, fire or fireworks, or any cause whatsoever.
(8) 
Moorings. There shall be only one boat to a mooring.
(9) 
Maximum number of boats. The maximum number of boats in the boat mooring area shall not exceed 50 boats.
(10) 
Moorings for personal use only. All moorings will be for personal use, not commercial use.
(11) 
Additional policies/rules. The Park Board may adopt more detailed policies/rules for the boat mooring area as needed, subject to Common Council approval.
[Amended 6-19-2006 by Ord. No. 10-06]
A. 
Unless otherwise stated in this article, any person who violates the provisions of this article shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $15 nor more than $100, plus penalty assessments and costs. The forfeiture for second and subsequent offenses shall be not less than $25 nor more than $150.
B. 
Any person who violates the prohibition in § 182-12D(1) and (2) against operating or parking a boat within 200 feet of the beach area or parking a boat on the northwest corner of the dike between the posted signs shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $85 nor more than $200, plus penalty assessments and costs. The forfeiture for the second and subsequent offenses shall be not less than $150 nor more than $250, plus penalty assessments and costs.
C. 
Any person who violates the prohibition in § 182-12J against anchoring for periods longer than 96 hours in the described area of the St. Croix River shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $85 nor more than $200, plus penalty assessments and costs for a first offense. For second and subsequent offenses, the forfeiture shall be not less than $150 nor more than $250, plus penalty assessments and costs.
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
Any person providing information leading to the conviction of a person vandalizing park property shall be rewarded by the Park Board.
When violation is necessary for the performance of their duties, law enforcement officials and park personnel are not subject to the provisions of this article.
[Adopted by Ord. No. 7-82]
The purpose of this article is to meet the need for public parks and public recreational open spaces generated by new residential development.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DEVELOPMENT
Any new construction which will result in one or more dwelling units. This article shall not apply to new construction which occurs on property which has previously met the open space requirements of this article or its predecessor.
RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACE
Public land area that allows people to relax in a pleasant environment, participate in sports, learn about their environment and enjoy nature. Recreational open spaces are those areas specifically designed to allow and encourage the public to participate in these activities.
When development occurs in an area which includes land within an area predetermined by the City Plan Commission and Park Board for park or public recreational open space use, the final plat or certified survey map of any such development shall reserve this land for such proposed public purpose for the City to exercise its intent to purchase. The City shall exercise its intent to purchase the land within 90 days of the date of the recording of the final plat, unless extended by mutual agreement. If the City does not exercise its intent within this period, it shall be released by the City.
A. 
Park development fee. Whenever a residential development is created or whenever a parcel of land is developed for commercial or industrial purposes, the developers shall pay a public parks and recreational open space fee to the City. For residential development, the fee shall be a flat fee per dwelling unit, as determined under Subsection D of this section. For commercial and industrial development, the fee shall be established under Subsection D of this section.
[Amended by Ord. No. 8-91]
B. 
Fee payment. The park and recreational open space fee shall be paid in full at the time of the issuance of the building permit. For multiple-dwelling buildings, all unit fees shall be included in one payment.
C. 
Establishment of a nonlapsing fund. The Council shall establish a separate nonlapsing fund into which all fees paid pursuant to Subsection B shall be deposited. The Finance Officer shall establish a separate budgeting and accounting procedure for this fund and from time to time make appropriations from this fund for acquisition of land for parks, playgrounds, developing existing sites or debt retirement in connection with previously acquired land for parks and recreational open space. The Park Board shall review and make an annual recommendation prior to October 1 to the Council of what the public interest requires.
[Amended 5-1-2000 by Ord. No. 9-00]
D. 
Setting fees. The Park Board shall annually, prior to October 1, review the amount of fee per unit for residential development and the fees for commercial or industrial development. The Park Board may recommend changes in the fees by a majority vote of its members. The recommendation shall be forwarded to the Council, which establishes the fee on an annual basis. The Council may not change the fee at any time except during this annual review. Fees shall at no time be waived.
[Amended by Ord. No. 8-91]