Chapter 9.68
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF PUBLIC PARKS--DEFINING AND PUNISHING CERTAIN OFFENSES AGAINST THE PUBLIC GENERAL WELFARE
Sections:
9.68.050 Games and other prohibited activities.
9.68.110 Authority to regulate occupancy and park closure.
9.68.120 Criminal trespass on city property.
9.68.180 Depositing litter, rubbish, garbage or trash.
9.68.230 Smoking in park facilities.
9.68.000 Purpose.
The city council has determined that it is necessary to adopt regulations in order to ensure the efficient operation, protection and maintenance of city parks and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the city and this chapter shall be liberally construed to effectuate this purpose. (Ord. 2103 §3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.010 Definitions.
“Horse,” in addition to its ordinary meaning, also includes mules, donkeys and other ridable animals.
“Livestock” means equines, cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, and swine. (Ord. 2103 §3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.020 Child supervision.
Children under the age of ten years are not allowed to come upon, use or play in the city’s parks without adequate supervision by a responsible older person. (Ord. 2103 §3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 2069 §1, 2020; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.030 Fires.
A. No person shall build, light or maintain any fire within a city park, as provided in Sections 7.01.040(B)(4) and 8.32.050(H), except within bar-b-que or fire pits or similar receptacles provided by the city for this purpose in a city park, or unless authorized as part of a special event permit under Chapter 5.42.
B. No person shall leave a fire unattended while in a city park, and no person shall leave a city park before completely extinguishing any fire built, lighted or maintained by himself in any such park.
C. Any person using a city bar-b-que or fire pit, or other cooking device pursuant to a special event permit, must take reasonable precautions to ensure the fire is contained within the designated receptacle, take immediate action to carry out any fire control, and report a fire if it does escape. (Ord. 2110 §1, 2024; Ord. 2103 §3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.050 Games and other prohibited activities.
No person shall participate or assist others in the playing of any game or activity wherein any object such as a stone, arrow, javelin, model aircraft, model rocket, golf ball, or any other sharp or hard object or projectile is thrown or otherwise propelled except in areas specifically designated and posted for that use (in accordance with Section 8.06.010, Restrictions on flying model aircraft.) (Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.060 Animals.
No person shall in any manner pursue, kill, injure, hunt or molest any bird or animal within any such city park except for the control of predatory animals as may be ordered by the city council. (Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.070 Plants--Structures.
No person shall pick, mutilate, dig or remove from the park any plant or plants or in any way deface or mutilate, burn, destroy, defile or remove any railing, building, seat, fence, park facility, other structure or tree within a city park or remove from the park any logs or wood. (Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.080 Soil--Rock.
No person shall dig up or remove any soil, rock, stones or other substance whatever, make any excavation, quarry any stone, or lay or set off any blast, or cause or assist in doing any of said things within the limits of a city park without written approval from the parks and recreation department. (Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.090 Signs.
No person shall erect signs, markers, or inscriptions of any type within the limits of a city park without written approval of the parks and recreation department. (Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.100 Hours of operation.
A. All parks owned and/or operated by the city of Central Point or to be hereafter owned by the city shall be closed from 10:00 p.m. one day to 6:00 a.m. the following day, with exceptions noted in subsection B of this section.
B. Exceptions. The park hours prohibitions listed above shall not apply to persons:
1. Attending events sponsored by the city parks and recreation department or events and activities conducted pursuant to a written permit issued by the parks and recreation department director. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.110 Authority to regulate occupancy and park closure.
A. The parks and recreation department may establish and post maximum occupancies for any park area or facility. Patrons shall not enter into or remain in an area or facility for which an occupancy limit has been established when such action will have the effect of exceeding the established occupancy limits.
B. Police officers of the Central Point police department are authorized to close all or portions of the city parks or city properties prior to or in lieu of any regular closure. The Central Point police department shall attempt to notify occupants of the closed area of the closure. This section shall not be construed to modify the unlawful entering or remaining in a building which is subject to state laws regarding burglary and criminal trespass. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.120 Criminal trespass on city property.
A person commits the crime of criminal trespass on city property if the person enters or remains unlawfully in city parks or on other city properties:
A. After regular closure of the park or property, or after having knowledge of the closure provided in Section 9.68.110; or
B. While under the influence of intoxicants, as that condition is defined by the motor vehicle laws of the state of Oregon, after being advised to leave the park or property by a police officer of the Central Point police department; or
C. While continuing to operate any sound amplification system which is plainly audible from fifty or more feet (unless that system is being operated to request assistance or warn of a hazardous situation), after being advised to cease said operation by a police officer of the Central Point police department. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.130 Soliciting.
No person, while in a city park, may operate a concession, either fixed or mobile, or engage in the business of soliciting, selling or peddling any liquids or edibles for human consumption, or hawk, peddle or vend any goods, wares or merchandise, or connect a public address system to city power outlets in a city park without specific written authority from the city manager of Central Point. (Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.140 Reservation system.
A. The use of the city parks shelter areas may be reserved for private functions by individuals or groups. A standard form shall be completed for each reservation and approved by the city manager or his or her designee.
B. A nonrefundable fee will be established by resolution of the city council and will be charged for reservation of a shelter for private use. The fee may be waived by the city manager or his or her designee for public use.
C. It shall be unlawful for anyone to interfere with or prohibit the use of a park shelter by the reserved party.
D. Dunk tanks, party ponies, and jump houses or other similar structures or personal property involving activities that increase liability to the city as solely determined by the parks and recreation department are not allowed in the parks as part of the shelter area rentals. Individuals or groups wishing to use dunk tanks, party ponies or jump houses or similar structures or personal property must submit a special event permit application, and provide the parks and recreation department with proof of liability insurance, that meets or exceeds state tort claims limits. The permit application must be approved through the internal permitting process. No individuals or groups shall set up dunk tanks, party ponies or jump houses or similar structures or personal property unless specifically authorized by the parks and recreation department through the permitting process. (Ord. 1969 §1(part), 2013; Ord. 1967 §1, 2012; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.150 Vehicles--Parking.
A. No automobiles, trailers or other vehicles shall be driven or parked in any areas other than those provided, maintained or designated for such purposes.
B. No bicycles, motorcycles or other vehicles may be driven or parked upon a tennis court or basketball court.
C. No automobiles, trailers, recreational vehicles or other vehicles of any kind may be parked in a city park during hours in which the park is closed to the public. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1915, 2008; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.160 Speed regulations.
No person shall drive a vehicle within a city park at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent having due regard for traffic, surface and strength of roadways, hazards at intersections and other conditions then existing. In no case shall a person operate a vehicle in speeds in excess of fifteen miles per hour, unless otherwise posted. (Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.170 Dogs in parks.
Dogs shall be allowed in parks on leash only (not to exceed six feet in length) with the exception of designated dog parks. Any excrement created by an animal shall be immediately removed by the owner. Some areas in parks may be designated to prohibit dogs and will be posted accordingly. Dogs are prohibited from memorials, playgrounds and spray parks. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1958 §1, 2012; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.180 Depositing litter, rubbish, garbage or trash.
A. No person shall leave any bottles, cans, ashes, waste paper, rubbish or garbage in a city park except in receptacles designated for that purpose.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to haul household garbage, rubbish, or trash to the city park and deposit the same in the park or on public property. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.190 Water pollution.
No person shall wash any clothing or other material, or clean any fish in a lake or stream, nor in any way pollute any stream or lake in a city park. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.210 Alcohol.
The possession and use of alcohol is prohibited in all public parks. Permits can be issued for special events at the discretion of the city manager or his or her designee and when the applicant possesses a license for special events issued by the Liquor Control Commission. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1969 §1(part), 2013; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007).
9.68.220 Public nudity.
It is unlawful for any person regardless of age to expose his or her genitals while in a public park. This includes the water features in parks and is specifically implemented for the purposes of ensuring a hygienic environment for all patrons. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1958 §2, 2012).
9.68.230 Smoking in park facilities.
A. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, and unless the context requires, the subject terms are defined as follows:
1. Smoke-Free. Possessing or to possess a lighted tobacco product, lighted tobacco paraphernalia, or any other lighted weed or plant, or other substance (including but not limited to a lighted pipe, hookah pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind) and including a device that simulates smoking of tobacco or other substances that creates a smoke or vapor.
2. Tobacco and Smoke-Free Facilities. All parks and recreation department managed properties including the adjacent pedestrian rights-of-way and/or sidewalks.
B. All parks and facilities managed and maintained by the parks and recreation department of the city of Central Point are designated as tobacco and smoke-free facilities. These parks and facilities include the pedestrian rights-of-way and/or sidewalks adjacent to each such property. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1990 §1, 2014; Ord. 1958 §3, 2012).
9.68.240 Penalty.
Violation of this chapter shall be punishable under the general penalty, Chapter 1.16. (Ord. 2103 § 3 (Exh. C), 2023; Ord. 1958 §4, 2012; Ord. 1899 §1(part), 2007. Formerly 9.68.220).