[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Mendon 7-14-1997 (Ch. 153 of
the 1994 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Parks and Recreation Ordinance
of the Town of Mendon."
The purpose of this chapter shall be to preserve the public
peace and good order in areas owned, leased or otherwise controlled
by the Town of Mendon and designated or operated as public parks or
recreation areas and to contribute to the safety and enjoyment of
the users thereof by regulating the hours of use, by regulating the
use of motorized vehicles and by prohibiting certain activities incidental
to customary park and recreation uses.
[Amended 1-11-1999 by L.L. No. 1-1999; 10-15-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
A.
Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Town Board, Town parks
and recreation areas will be open to the general public from 7:00
a.m. to sunset each day and otherwise will be closed.
B.
Areas or facilities of Town parks and recreation areas which are
illuminated by the Town will be open to the general public as long
as they are illuminated.
The following acts or activities are prohibited, and no person
shall:
A.
Operate any motorized vehicle, such as an automobile, minibike, motorcycle,
snowmobile and the like, within the area of the park lands; provided,
however, that the operation of licensed vehicles for the transportation
of the public to and from park lands is permitted within designated
roadways, and the parking of such vehicles is also permitted within
designated parking areas.
B.
Discharge any firearm, spring gun or air gun, slingshot or bow and
arrow or carry any concealed weapons considered to be dangerous within
the park.
C.
Injure, deface or disturb any part of the park or any building, sign,
equipment or any other property therein or remove, injure or destroy
any tree, flower, shrub, rock or mineral therein.
D.
Set fire or assist others to set fire to any timber, trees, shrubs,
grass, leaves, shelters, buildings, equipment or any other combustible
material or suffer any fire upon other lands to extend onto any part
of any park.
E.
Throw, cast, lay, drop, discharge, deposit, bring into or leave in
any part of the park land any garbage, containers for food or liquids,
other waste or other obnoxious material otherwise than in containers
provided for such purpose.
F.
Drive or propel, or cause to be driven, any permitted vehicle at
a rate of speed greater than that speed so designated.
G.
Use unreasonably loud or obscene language, obscene gestures, fight,
perform acts intended to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or
alarm, or interfere with any officer of the Town, county or state
in the performance of his or her duty.
H.
Consume or be in possession of alcoholic beverages of any type or
variety.
I.
Be in an intoxicated condition within any Town park or recreation
area.
J.
Introduce into any Town park a dog, cat or other household pet or
any other animal which may be injurious or destructive to birds, fish,
animals or other wildlife, plant life or other natural features within
a park or which may be dangerous, injurious or offensive to users
of a park, except that dogs and cats shall be permitted within a park
if controlled by a leash. Under no circumstances may horses be permitted
within any Town park, except upon the approval of the Town Board,
or within areas specifically designated therefor.
K.
Cause or allow the overnight parking or storage of automobiles, motorcycles,
boats, recreational vehicles, etc., within any Town park.
L.
Swim, wade in water or bring any boat or flotation device into any
body of water within any Town park.
M.
Cause or permit live bands or disc jockeys to perform in any Town
park, without the prior approval of the Town Board.
N.
Camp overnight.
[Amended 10-15-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
Areas within such parks or recreation areas which are so designated
may be used for otherwise prohibited activities. If any such areas,
such as minibike trails, snowmobile or horseback riding trails, etc.,
are so designated, they shall be conspicuously posted by signs or
otherwise.
The Town Board or its designee is charged with the administration
of this chapter.
A.
Members of the New York State Police, Monroe County Sheriff's
Department or any other peace officer shall, in connection with their
duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this chapter.
B.
Members of the New York State Police, Monroe County Sheriff's
Department or other peace officers shall have the authority to eject
from the park lands any person acting in violation of this chapter.
C.
Members of the New York State Police, Monroe County Sheriff's
Department, Town Civil Officer or Code Enforcement Officer shall have
the authority to issue citations returnable in the Town of Mendon
Justice Court for violations of this chapter.
A.
Violations of any provisions or regulations of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not greater than $250 for each violation, pursuant to Chapter 9, Penalties and Enforcement, of the Mendon Town Code.
B.
Any person convicted of a violation as set forth in this chapter
shall be subject to the provisions of § 65.10 of the New
York State Penal Law and § 758-a of the New York State Family
Court Act relative to the making of restitution, reparation for loss
or damages and the performing of services for a public agency or for
the public good, which, in such case, shall include appropriate services
for the Recreation Commission of the Town of Mendon.
C.
Parents or legal guardians of infants over 10 years of age and less
than 18 years of age shall be liable for damages or destruction caused
in Town parks by such infants, up to the sum of $1,000, pursuant to
the provisions of § 3-112 of the New York State General
Obligations Law.
D.
In addition to any penalties described herein, any persons causing
damage to park property, real or personal, shall be liable to the
Town of Mendon for such damage in a civil action.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any business, corporation, partnership, association, school,
church, benevolent order or any other group, whether created by statute,
contract or by informal arrangement.
The grounds, buildings thereon, waters therein and any other
property necessary for the operation thereof and constituting a part
thereof which is now or may thereafter be maintained or operated and
controlled by the Town of Mendon and shall include recreation areas
and playgrounds.
