Chapter 12.12
PUBLIC PARKS

Sections:

12.12.010    Public parks – Hours of operation.

12.12.020    Hours of operation – Exception.

12.12.030    Park property – Regulation of use.

12.12.040    Reservation of parks – Policy.

12.12.010 Public parks – Hours of operation.

Except as otherwise provided herein all public parks within the city of West Richland, including the vehicle parking areas within said parks, shall be closed to the general public between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the following day during summer (April 1st – September 30th), and except as otherwise provided herein all public parks within the city of West Richland, including the vehicle parking areas within said parks, shall be closed to the general public between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day during winter (October 1st – March 31st), and no person except for an authorized employee of the city of West Richland, and any on-duty and commissioned law enforcement officer, shall be in any city park during the hours of closure. [Ord. 33-18 § 1, 2018; Ord. 111-94 § 1, 1994].

12.12.020 Hours of operation – Exception.

The hours of operation of a public park as set forth in WRMC 12.12.010 may be extended by issuance of a special permit from the city. [Ord. 111-94 § 1, 1994].

12.12.030 Park property – Regulation of use.

A. It is unlawful for any person, except for city employees and other city-authorized persons in the performance of their duties, or pursuant to a special use permit issued by the mayor or the city administrator, to violate any of the following rules and regulations, which shall apply to all public parks throughout the city of West Richland:

1. The following shall not be allowed outside designated parking areas:

a. Motor vehicles as defined by RCW 46.04.320.

b. Golf carts as defined by RCW 46.04.1945.

c. Nonhighway vehicles and wheeled all-terrain vehicles as defined by RCW 46.09.310.

d. Motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, or snow bikes as defined by RCW 46.04.330 and 46.04.363.

e. Mopeds as defined by RCW 46.04.304.

f. Neighborhood electric vehicles as defined by RCW 46.04.357.

g. Snowmobiles as defined by RCW 46.04.546.

2. There shall be no destruction of vegetation and no golfing.

3. There shall be no unauthorized burning.

4. There shall be no consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages.

5. There shall be no unauthorized dumping of trash, litter or garbage brought onto the public park. All waste material and garbage from park activities must be deposited in refuse cans where provided by the city or it must be removed from the park. The dumpsters and trash receptacles provided at the park are for use by park patrons only.

6. Animal owners shall comply with WRMC 6.08.050; the owner of any animal is responsible for the immediate cleanup of the animal’s waste when off the property of the animal’s owner and any person responsible for an animal shall have in their possession the means to pick up the animal’s waste and upon doing so will properly dispose of said waste in an approved garbage receptacle.

7. There shall be no loud noises generated by mechanical or electrical means other than as permitted by the city.

8. There shall be no flying of remote control aircraft.

9. There shall be no use of roller blades, roller skates, skateboards or similar hard-wheeled devices on any tennis courts located within city parks.

10. There shall be no horse, mule, pony or similar riding animal allowed in any city park.

11. There shall be no use, fire or discharge or possession of fireworks.

12. There shall be no fishing, swimming, wading, boating, or any other in-water use in the lakes at the Park at the Lakes.

13. Dog owner or any person responsible for a dog shall comply with WRMC 6.32.020, Leashes required – Exemptions; dogs shall at all times be controlled, be at heel or be controlled by means of a leash not exceeding eight feet in length, by the owner or some duly authorized and responsible competent person; provided, however, that such leash or chain is not required for any dog when otherwise safely and securely confined or completely controlled while in or upon any vehicle. No city park or portion thereof has been designated by the city as a dog training area.

14. Animals are prohibited on all athletic fields and ball fields including dugouts.

B. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a civil infraction and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of up to $250.00. [Ord. 11-24 § 1, 2024; Ord. 3-22 § 1, 2022; Ord. 21-21 § 1, 2021; Ord. 7-12 § 8, 2012; Ord. 13-10 § 1, 2010; Ord. 38-05 § 9, 2005; Ord. 11-02 § 9, 2002; Ord. 36-95 § 1, 1995; Ord. 26-95 § 1, 1995; Ord. 111-94 § 1, 1994].

12.12.040 Reservation of parks – Policy.

Any person or group wishing to reserve a public park during authorized hours of operation shall do so through the community development director or his/her designee per Resolution 14-20, City of West Richland Policy for Scheduled Use of Athletic Fields and Park Reservations, or as amended by city council. [Ord. 3-22 § 2, 2022; Ord. 38-05 § 10, 2005; Ord. 11-02 § 10, 2002; Ord. 111-94 § 1, 1994].