Chapter 9.06 PARK CODE

“Park” means each county park so designated in the Park Code. Each county park consists of the property on which the park is established, all contiguous property and ingress and egress thereto which is owned by Cowlitz County.

“Park Board” means the Cowlitz County Park and Recreation Board.

B. Wherever consistent with the content of this chapter, words in the present, past, or future tenses shall be construed to be interchangeable with each other, and words in the singular number shall be construed to include the plural. [Ord. 20-010 § 2, 3-3-20.]

9.06.025 Exceptions.

County employees, authorized agents of the county and law enforcement personnel are exempt from the regulations set forth in this chapter while in the performance of their lawful duties. [Ord. 20-010 § 3, 3-3-20.]

9.06.030 Park rules.

The Director is authorized to adopt rules for the management, operation and control of parks consistent with the police power of the county. Such rules shall be posted at all parks.

Violation of any posted rules will result in immediate removal from the park without a refund of any fees and the possible issuance of an infraction as defined in the Park Code. [Ord. 20-010 § 4, 3-3-20.]

9.06.040 Park hours.

No person or vehicle shall remain in any county park during posted closed hours except in designated camping or fishing areas or by written permit by the Director. [Ord. 20-010 § 5, 3-3-20.]

9.06.050 Prohibited acts and items.

The following acts and/or items are unlawful on and/or within any county park:

A. Signs and Structures. The use, placement or erection of any signboard, sign, billboard, bulletin board, post, pole or device of any kind for advertising in any park; or to attach any notice, bill, poster, sign, wire, rod or cord to any tree, shrub, railing, post or structure within any county park without the written consent of the Director.

B. Vandalism. The removal, destruction, mutilation or defacement of any structure, monument, statue, vase, fountain, wall, fence, railing, vehicle, bench, shrub, tree, fern, noninvasive plant, flower, lighting system, sprinkler system or any other property lawfully in any county park.

C. Reservations. Interfere with the authorized use of a reserved area of any county park.

D. Golf. Play golf or practice golf in any county park.

E. Metal Detectors. Metal detectors are not allowed at Riverside Park or Catlin Cemetery. Metal detectors are allowed in all other county parks under the following guidelines:

1. No digging in grass turf areas;

2. Do not disturb any irrigation system.

F. Bounce Houses. Bounce houses are not allowed within any county park without the signed permission of the Director.

G. Tobacco Products. No form of tobacco, including vaping, may be used while in or within 25 feet of the following:

1. Playgrounds or play areas;

2. Public restrooms, shelters and pavilions;

3. Public events at the parks and ball fields; and

4. During adult and youth league games and practices.

H. Weapons and Explosives. Shooting, firing, or exploding any firearm, crossbow, bow and arrow, torpedo or explosive of any kind or to shoot or fire any air gun, BB gun or to use any slingshot in or on county park property, except for those devices approved for use at the public shooting range.

I. Fireworks. No person shall possess or discharge fireworks without the written consent of the Director. As used herein, the terms “fireworks” and “common fireworks” have the same meaning as in Chapter 70.77 RCW, as now or hereafter amended.

J. Solicitations. Solicit contributions within any county park without a permit signed by the Director.

K. Merchandise Sales. Selling refreshments or merchandise without the written consent of the Director.

L. Feeding Wildlife. Leaving, placing or distributing foodstuffs or other material in any park to feed wildlife.

M. Disturbing Animals. Teasing, annoying, disturbing, molesting, catching, injuring or killing or to throw any stone, missile or object of any kind at or strike with any stick, weapon or object of any kind any animal.

N. Drones. Operating any radio/remote controlled or self-propelled model airplane, glider, car, boat or any model rocket except in areas specifically designated by the county and posted for such use. All drones must be operated per FAA regulations.

O. Vehicles. Riding or driving any bicycle, motorcycle or motor vehicle over or through any park except along and upon the park drives, parkways, park boulevards; riding or driving any motorcycle or motor vehicle along or upon bicycle paths; or at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour or as signed; or park any vehicle, except in areas designated by the county. Vehicles which are not licensed for use on public highways are prohibited from being operated within any county park.

P. Littering. Throwing any refuse, litter, broken glass or crockery, nails, shrubbery, trimmings, junk or advertising matter in any park or to deposit any such material therein, except in designated receptacles. It is illegal to dispose of any household waste, yard waste, animal or fish carcass, entrails, or material or to abandon any item on or within any county park.

Q. Competitions. Engaging in, conducting or holding any trials or competitions for speed, endurance or hill climbing involving any vehicle, boat, aircraft or animal in any county park without a permit signed by the Director.

R. Fires. Building any fires except in areas designated by the county.

S. Alcohol. Bringing in or consuming any whiskey, wine, beer or other intoxicating liquors unless approved in writing by the Director for special events, such as weddings or fund raising activities, and must be compliant with all state and local laws pertaining to intoxicating liquors distribution.

T. Camping outside of designated camping areas. [Ord. 20-010 § 6, 3-3-20.]

9.06.055 Trail use.

A. The following acts or uses shall be permitted on any established trail within a county park:

1. Nonmotorized recreation including, but not limited to, pedestrian, cycling, skiing and equestrian use.

2. Trail use only during daylight hours.

3. Trail use within the designated trail bed.

4. A 15 miles per hour speed limit shall apply to all users of the trail, unless otherwise posted.

5. Power-driven mobility devices meeting the following requirements:

a. Shall not exceed 65 inches in width and vehicle weight is not to exceed 1,500 pounds.

b. A state-issued disability parking placard shall be visible as credible assurance that the use of other power-driven mobility devices is for the individual’s mobility disability.

c. The state-issued disability parking placard shall only be used by the person to whom it is issued.

d. In the event that individuals with mobility disabilities are unable to operate the other power-driven mobility device, a driver will be allowed to accompany them.

B. The following acts or uses shall be unlawful on any established trail or trail corridor within a county park:

1. Use of any motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, except for emergency vehicles, county vehicles and those other power-driven mobility devices under subsection (A)(5) of this section or by permit signed by the Director.

2. Public must not leave the trail bed.

3. Blocking of the trail or trail corridor by fences or any other obstructions that restrict the use of the trail and/or trail corridor.

4. Damage to or removal of trail material. [Ord. 20-010 § 7, 3-3-20.]

9.06.060 Animals.

A. It is unlawful to allow or permit any animal to run at large or to harass any person or other animal within any park. All animals must be under the direct physical restraint and control of a responsible person except in areas designated and posted by the county as an “off-leash pet area.”

B. Pet Waste. Any person with a dog or other pet, including horses, in his or her control in any county park shall carry equipment for removing feces and shall immediately place feces deposited by such animal in an appropriate receptacle.

C. Pets Prohibited. Dogs or other pets shall be prohibited from entering a park, trail, or any area of a park that has been designated and posted by the county as prohibiting dogs or other pets, excluding service animals. [Ord. 20-010 § 8, 3-3-20.]

9.06.065 Fireworks prohibited – Exceptions.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 5, 6-27-88.]

9.06.070 Animals not to be disturbed.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 6, 6-27-88; Ord. 924, § 9, 6-28-66.]

9.06.080 Soliciting contributions prohibited – Noise regulations.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 7, 6-27-88; Ord. 924, § 10, 6-28-66.]

9.06.085 Park hours – Exceptions.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 8, 6-27-88.]

9.06.090 Sale of merchandise on park property restricted.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 5222, § 11, 5-12-77; Ord. 924, § 11, 6-28-66.]

9.06.100 Violation – Described.

A. Any violation of any provision of this chapter is a civil infraction as established by Chapter 7.80 RCW and for each violation shall be subject to a civil penalty of $75.00; provided, that a second infraction is subject to a civil penalty of $150.00; and provided, that a third and subsequent infractions are subject to a civil penalty of $300.00. Unless otherwise stated, violations shall be administered by the Director under the processes and procedures set forth in CCC 2.06.050 through 2.06.070, and CCC 2.06.100 through 2.06.130; provided, that any violation of a rule or regulation relating to traffic, including parking, standing, stopping and pedestrian offenses, is a traffic infraction, except that violation of a rule or regulation equivalent to those provisions set forth in RCW 46.63.020 is a misdemeanor; provided further, that any violation of any provision relating to vandalism or possession, transportation, or consumption of any intoxicating liquor outside approved areas by the county is a misdemeanor. A civil infraction may be issued by any law enforcement officer with jurisdiction or by the Director.

B. There shall be a penalty of $25.00 for failure to respond to a notice of civil infraction. [Ord. 22-032 § 1, 4-12-22; Ord. 20-010 § 10, 3-3-20.]

9.06.120 Vehicles restricted – Speed limit – Parking.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 9, 6-27-88; Ord. 924, § 14, 6-28-66.]

9.06.130 Camping restricted.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 10, 6-27-88; Ord. 924, § 15, 6-28-66.]

9.06.150 Littering prohibited.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 924, § 17, 6-28-66.]

9.06.160 Testing motor vehicles prohibited.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 924, § 18, 6-28-66.]

9.06.170 Various competitions prohibited.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 11, 6-27-88; Ord. 924, § 19, 6-28-66.]

9.06.180 Fires restricted.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 12, 6-27-88; Ord. 924, § 20, 6-28-66.]

9.06.190 Alcohol prohibited.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 924, § 21, 6-28-66.]

9.06.200 Unlawful acts.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 13, 6-27-88; Ord. 924, § 22, 6-28-66.]

9.06.210 Persons liable.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 924, § 23, 6-28-66.]

9.06.220 Violation – Described.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 14, 6-27-88; Ord. 5222, § 24, 5-12-77; Ord. 924, § 24, 6-28-66.]

9.06.230 Notice of infraction – Issuance – Determination – Form.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 15, 6-27-88.]

9.06.240 Notice of infraction – Response – Hearing.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 16, 6-27-88.]

9.06.250 Hearing – Generally.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 17, 6-27-88.]

9.06.260 Hearing – Form – Evidence – Determination.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 18, 6-27-88.]

9.06.270 Hearing – Mitigating circumstances – Procedures.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 19, 6-27-88.]

9.06.280 Penalty.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 20, 6-27-88.]

9.06.290 Violation of promise to respond to notice of infraction – Misdemeanor.

Repealed by Ord. 20-010. [Ord. 88-098, § 21, 6-27-88.]