[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:650]
This Part 1A shall be known as the "Warminster Township Parks
Rules and Regulations."
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:651; as amended by Ord.
578, 6/13/2002, § 1]
As used in this Part 1A, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Recreation Service Administrator.
All lands and waters under the control of the Department
of Parks and Recreation or that may come under its control while this
Part 1A is in effect.
An individual person, groups or organizations that shall
request use of the facilities as indicated in this Part 1A or who
shall use such facilities.
[Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
It is the public's responsibility to be aware of all park
rules and regulations that may or may not be posted in the parks or
trails. Specific prohibited activities, park hours and other rules
and regulations which are referred to in this Part 1A are printed
and are available for inspection at the Township Building or Department
of Parks and Recreation.
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:652; as amended by Ord.
578, 6/13/2002, § 1]
1.
Areas used during the day shall be opened between the hours 7:00
a.m. and sunset. No person shall be in the park areas when closed
except by special permit obtained from the Director. The trails at
Warminster Community Park, Munro Park and Kemper Park shall be open
to the public from dawn to sunset.
[Amended by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
2.
Areas used at night shall be opened as posted at such facilities
or by permit obtained from the Director.
3.
Any Township park or park facilities that become hazardous for public
use due to weather, fire, water, construction or other unforeseeable
conditions may be closed at the discretion of the Director. Whenever
possible, 24 hours' notice will be given to persons holding facility
permits for use of such facility.
4.
There shall be no foot or bicycle traffic in unlighted areas after
sunset.
[Amended by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:653; as amended by Ord.
578, 6/13/2002, § 1]
1.
The Director shall schedule the use of group-use facilities, including
sports fields and courts, special facilities, gardens, open areas
and picnic pavilions. If such facilities are not scheduled, they will
be available to the public.
[Amended by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
3.
All camping shall be on a permit basis. Permits shall be secured
from the Director at least 48 hours in advance of such camping.
4.
Fires shall be permitted only in the fireplaces, grills or other
equipment specifically provided therefor and shall be closely monitored
and completely extinguished before the site is vacated at all times.
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:654; as amended by Ord.
476, 8/28/1989; and by Ord. 510, 5/23/1994, § 1]
1.
Respect the feelings of others and refrain from using indecent language
or engaging in immoral, threatening or boisterous actions.[1]
2.
Use or possession of alcoholic beverages or narcotics is prohibited.
Persons actually or apparently under the influence of alcohol or narcotic
drugs may be prohibited from entering or using the park.
3.
Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet (1.829 meters) in
length. No person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog
or other animal or pet shall cause, suffer, or allow such animal to
soil, defile, or defecate on or commit any nuisance in any park unless
any feces deposited by such animal be immediately removed and disposed
of by the person owning, harboring, keeping, or in charge of any such
animal in a healthful and sanitary manner.
4.
All trash, garbage and litter shall be deposited in the refuse cans
provided. Scattering, dropping, dumping or leaving any trash, litter
or substance of any kind or polluting or dumping any matter into park
waters and any portion of any park by any person is prohibited.
5.
Tree climbing is prohibited.
6.
Damaging, destroying, defacing, adding to or removing from any park
property, including equipment, facilities and the natural environment,
is prohibited.
7.
The following acts are specifically prohibited:
A.
Intentionally breaking, cutting down, removing or in any manner injuring
or defacing, by writing on or otherwise, any ornament, tree, plant,
shrub, fern, flower (except violets, buttercups, daisies, dandelions),
flower bed, turf or any of the buildings, fences, bridges, equipment
or other construction within a park.
B.
Removing, disturbing, interfering with or taking any of the blossoms
growing upon any tree, shrub or bush in the park.
C.
Misusing equipment with intent to damage or destroy.
D.
Injuring, defacing or destroying any notices, rules or regulations
posted or in any other manner permanently fixed.
E.
Digging for fishing worms or excavating in any manner.
F.
Disturbing water flow in the streams, pools, ponds or basins.
G.
Disturbing bird nests or eggs in any part of the parks.
H.
Erecting or building any temporary or permanent structure (such as
tree houses or platforms, clubhouses, goal posts, fences, etc.) without
the written authorization of the Director.
I.
Modifying, adapting, changing, adding to or deleting from any present
structure or facility without the express written authorization from
the Director.
J.
Entering or leaving a park except by the entrances provided for that
purpose or causing or creating additional entrances or exits (except
in the case of emergency).
K.
Entering a toilet set apart for the use of the opposite sex.
L.
Willful damage to property adjacent to the parks.
M.
The playing of golf, striking of golf balls with golf clubs or any
other similar objects at any time.
N.
The touching,
harming or otherwise disturbing of wildlife.
[Added by Ord. 604, 10/9/2003, § I]
O.
The operating
of motorized vehicles, including, but not limited to, motorcycles,
motorbikes, all-terrain vehicles and the like, except on designated
driveways and parking areas.
[Added by Ord. 604, 10/9/2003, § I]
P.
Smoking prohibited. Smoking is prohibited on all sport fields, play
areas, pavilions and all posted natural areas.
[Added by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
Q.
The operation of radio/remote-control devices (i.e., cars, planes,
helicopters, boats, etc.) or rocket launchers is prohibited unless
prior approval is given for a completed permit submitted to the Director
of Parks and Recreation.
[Added by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:655]
1.
Operating or parking any vehicle while on park property in an unauthorized,
reckless or negligent manner, in excess of the posted speed limit,
or in such a manner as to become a nuisance to other park users is
prohibited.
2.
The following shall be defined as operating in an unauthorized manner:
A.
Operating in excess of 10 miles per hour (16.09 kmh) on any park
roadway unless otherwise posted. (This restriction shall not apply
to the vehicles of the Fire and Police Departments, nor to ambulances
or vehicles used by physicians when actually responding to emergency
calls.)
[Amended by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
B.
Operating on areas other than cartways especially designed and constructed
for vehicular traffic. (This shall not apply to vehicles of the Township
and authorized emergency vehicles.)
C.
Parking on shoulders or roadways, on grass or on any other area of
park property where specific parking space has been provided is prohibited
unless indicated otherwise on notices posted by the Director.
D.
Road testing of any vehicle or driver instruction shall be forbidden
in all parks.
E.
Washing, repairing or servicing of vehicles is prohibited in the
parks. A flat tire may be replaced. Abandonment of such vehicles is
prohibited; if mechanical disablement occurs in a park, immediate
steps must be taken for removal.
F.
All other laws pertaining to motor vehicles in general shall be valid
and enforced by Warminster Township police officers on park property.
3.
All nonlicensed motorized recreational vehicles are prohibited in
all park areas. Horses, ATVs and snowmobiles are specifically prohibited
and barred from any and all park properties. Licensed motorcycles,
motorbikes and motor vehicles are restricted to posted parking areas.
[Amended by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:656; as amended by Ord.
737, 1/19/2017]
Commercial traffic, the posting of signs, the distributing,
selling, servicing, or renting of any commodity whatsoever or soliciting
for any purpose is prohibited on park grounds.
A.
No soliciting of any kind, including but not limited to the sale
or vending of any goods, wares, merchandise, liquids or food, on Township-owned
properties, parks, facilities, and Township-sponsored programs or
activities is permitted without a daily, seasonal or annual permit
issued by the Township Parks and Recreation Department.
B.
Use of
any Township property, park, facility, or program for commercial or
profit-making activities without a seasonal or annual permit issued
by the Township Parks and Recreation Department is prohibited. This
includes conducting class instruction for a fee and the taking of
photographs and/or videos for commercial use.
C.
Posting
signs, posters, advertising, decoration, notices or anything similar
may not be affixed to any tree, shrub, fence, railing, post, or structure
within any park without prior written permission from the Director.
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:657]
1.
No gathering or meeting of any kind assembled through advertisement
shall be permitted in a park or playground without the express written
consent of the Director.
2.
No person shall have priority over any other person for use of unscheduled
facilities. Reservation of group-use facilities and requests for special
equipment shall be processed through the Director.
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:658; as amended by Ord.
578, 6/13/2002, § 1]
1.
Permits are available from the Director for the following:
A.
Reservations of group-use facilities.
B.
Use of night facilities.
C.
Camping.
D.
Erection of temporary or permanent structures.
E.
Modification of present facilities.
F.
Use of special equipment.
G.
Posting of signs.
H.
Sale of refreshments.
I.
Planting of trees and shrubs.
J.
Practice and play of sports activities in other than designated areas.
K.
Any other activities requiring permits or authorization.
2.
Fees for permits as determined and approved by the Board of Supervisors
shall be posted in the Township office, and a copy shall be provided
with each permit request. These fees may consist of a deposit or bond
against damages, a fee for electricity, night lighting, special services
or equipment or facility rental fees.
[Amended by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
3.
A summary of the rules and regulations as set forth in this Part
1A shall be provided to each applicant with his approved permit.
[Amended by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
4.
Issuance of a permit does not exempt any person from any of the rules
and regulations as set forth in this Part 1A.
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:659]
1.
Erection of temporary backstops, goal posts, crowd-control fences
and barriers is allowable by permit with the following restrictions:
A.
Permits must be secured no later than 48 hours prior to the erection
of said structures.
B.
Specific dates must be included in the application for both the installation
and removal of said structures.
C.
Temporary structures shall not be in place for a period of time greater
than specified on the permit and shall be removed no later than 48
hours later than the date given for removal on the permit. Structures
not removed as aforesaid shall be removed by the Director, and the
charge for such removal shall be payable by the person making the
application for the permit.
D.
All temporary structures shall be kept in good repair and shall be
repaired, replaced or removed by the applicant within 48 hours of
any reported damage.
E.
Permits for the erection of temporary structures shall be granted
based on their intended use, the function or use of the area where
requested, their compatibility with the area and their impact on the
use of the park and public safety. Permits for erection of temporary
structures shall be approved by both the Director and the Park Maintenance
Supervisor prior to issuance.
2.
Erection of permanent facilities and structures, modification of
present facilities, the planting of trees, shrubs, sod, and any other
action with permanent or lasting impact on the park is allowable by
permit with the following restrictions:
A.
All permanent additions or alterations shall be considered in light
of future development plans for the area intended and in the Comprehensive
Plan for the park system of Warminster Township.
B.
Permanent structures shall conform to all Township, county, state
or other prevailing codes applicable.
D.
Recommendations shall also be presented from the Director and from
the Park Maintenance Supervisors on the proposed facilities or improvements.
E.
Inasmuch as all park properties are public property and are maintained
for the use and enjoyment of all residents, it shall not be permissible
for any person or group or organization to erect or maintain the use
of any facility and/or structure for restricted usage. All improvements
shall become the property of and come under the control of the Board
of Supervisors. In the event a private party or organization wishes
to make substantial investments in the improvement of a park facility
or construction of an approved structure, arrangements can be made
to give priority in scheduling the use of that facility or structure
to the donor for a period of time not to exceed 12 calendar months.
This priority scheduling for use of such facility and/or structure
can be renewed for additional twelve-month periods by the approval
of the Board of Supervisors. At the conclusion of the approved priority
period, and in the event of the failure to renew the priority by the
Board of Supervisors, said donor shall relinquish any claim for priority
in scheduling the use of the improved area and shall be subject to
the same scheduling sequences and priorities as all other applicants.
The terms for priority scheduling shall be agreed to in writing prior
to the commencement of any improvements.
[Amended by Ord. No. 761, 3/5/2020]
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:660]
1.
Permits for the following are available:
A.
Sales of refreshments and food during games, practices and other
park-centered activities.
B.
Admission tickets.
C.
Chances for fund-raising purposes by the person or organization using
such facilities.
D.
Ball rental.
E.
Shoe rental.
F.
Racquet rental.
G.
Rental of any other sports-related items.
2.
Such permits are subject to the following restrictions:
A.
Permits will not be issued to sell any item (other than chances for
fund-raising) which is not primarily used or consumed at the park
on the same day as the sale. These permits are intended primarily
as a service to users of the parks and are not intended to place parks
in the position of being retail outlets.
B.
The applicant shall supply all merchandise and shall absolve, release,
indemnify and hold harmless the Township against any and all loss,
damage, cost, and expenses, which Township may hereafter suffer, incur,
be put to or pay by reason of any claims made against the Township
relative to the food service and retailing permit issued by the Township
to the applicant, and further, the applicant agrees to pay and discharge,
on demand of the Township, each and every debt, obligation or claim
which shall be made, assigned or apportioned against the Township
by reason of any such claim arising under the food service and retailing
permit issued hereunder.
C.
The applicant shall provide the Director with satisfactory evidence
that foodstuffs retailed are safe for human consumption and have been
prepared in an acceptable and sanitary manner.
D.
The applicant assumes the responsibility for maintaining the food
storage, preparation and service areas in a clean and acceptable manner.
Failure to do so shall constitute grounds for the revocation of the
permit.
E.
A fee may be charged for the cleaning of the facility over and above
the fee for the permit as provided for in the fee schedule issued
by the Township from time to time.
F.
Issuance of a permit by the Director in no way absolves the applicant
from procuring any additional licenses or permits or conforming to
regulations as required by the Township, school district, Department
of Health, the county or any other governing bodies having jurisdiction
in the retailing of food or merchandise.
[Amended by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
G.
The applicant shall furnish the Township with proof of insurance
coverage as required by resolution the Board of Supervisors. The form
of the proof of insurance shall be as required by the Township at
the time of the submission of the application.
[Amended by Ord. 737, 1/19/2017]
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:661; as amended by Ord.
737, 1/19/2017; and by Ord. No. 761, 3/5/2020]
The general park system contains a number of specialty areas,
including, but not limited to, volleyball, tennis and basketball courts,
a skate park, classrooms and gymnasium space, a dog park, a labyrinth
garden, a fitness trail, sport fields, concession stands, natural
areas, trails, playgrounds, swimming and boating areas, fishing areas,
gazebos and pavilions, each requiring specific regulations concerning
proper use of that individual facility. This Part 1A shall in no way
restrict the Director from formulating and posting restrictions for
these specific areas in addition to the general restrictions in this
Part 1A.
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:662; as amended by Ord.
578, 6/13/2002, § 1]
The Director and the Supervisor of Park Maintenance, their full-time
staff and the Township Police Department shall enforce this Part 1A
and shall exercise general supervision over persons occupying or using
the parks. This section shall not be construed to limit enforcement
of the regulations set forth herein by any other authorized Township
enforcement agency.
[Ord. 321, 3/28/1977, § 2:663; as amended by Ord.
578, 6/13/2002, § 1]
1.
Any person,
firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part 1A,
upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a Magisterial
District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary
offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall
be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs, and,
in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part 1A continues
or each section of this Part 1A which shall be found to have been
violated shall constitute a separate offense.
3.
Any person
who violates any of the foregoing rules and regulations to the injury
of Township property or to the person or property of any other person
shall be liable for such injury in addition to payment of the fines
and penalties set forth in this section. This section shall not be
construed to limit such liability in any manner.
