[Adopted 5-22-1979 by L.L. No. 16-1979 (Ch. 378, Art. I,
of the 1985 Code)]
This article may be known and cited as the "Rules and Regulations
for the Use of Suffolk County Parks."
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Board of Trustees of the Suffolk County Department of
Parks, Recreation and Conservation, a body of 10 members and the Commissioner
of Public Works, County Executive and Chairman of the Suffolk County
Legislature, as constituted by Local Law No. 1-1966,[1] and herein referred to as the "Park Commission."
The County of Suffolk.
The Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, the
appointed administrative head of all parks and beaches in Suffolk
County as defined in Local Law No. 1-1966,[2] and to the extent that the County Legislature has authorized
a park ranger force, he shall be the chief ranger thereof.
Any park, play area, beach, recreation area or other area in Suffolk County designated or set apart by the County Legislature for park or recreation purposes as the same is more particularly defined in § C28-2 of the Suffolk County Charter.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
The combustion of any cigar, cigarette, tobacco, marijuana
or any similar article or any other combustible substance in any manner
or in any form or the heating or ignition of an e-cigarette which
creates a vapor.
[Added 6-22-2021 by L.L. No. 20-2021]
A beverage that contains 75 or more milligrams of caffeine
per eight fluid ounces and generally includes a combination of other
supplements such as methylxanthines, B vitamins, herbal ingredients
and other ingredients which are advertised as being specifically designed
to provide or improve energy.
[Added 3-19-2013 by L.L. No. 17-2013]
Any motor vehicle as defined in the Vehicle and Traffic Law,
or other conveyance or device for transportation of persons or property,
whether motor-powered or animal-drawn, except those self-propelled
instruments such as bicycles, skateboards, wagons, etc., when permitted.
A.
Parks and park property of Suffolk County are for the exclusive use
of residents of Suffolk County, except as otherwise may be duly prescribed
from time to time by the Suffolk County Legislature.
B.
The County parks shall be open to use by the following persons, subject
to all rules and regulations governing same:
(1)
Bona fide residents of the County of Suffolk and their guests.
(2)
Any person owning real property assessed upon any town assessment
roll in Suffolk County.
(3)
Any person in possession of real property in the County under verbal
or written lease.
(4)
Any person who is a registered guest of a bona fide hotel, motel
or lodging or rooming house in the County and so certified by the
person owning, leasing or managing such hotel, motel or lodging or
rooming house. The total of such persons certified at no time shall
exceed the capacity of the hotel, motel or lodging or rooming house
from which they are certified.
C.
The Commissioner of the County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed, pursuant to § C28-4A of the Suffolk County Charter, to construct dog runs for the use of families with pet dogs within Coindre Hall, as more specifically described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, whether leashed or unleashed.[1]
[Added 5-13-2003 by L.L. No. 17-2003]
[1]
Editor's Note: Exhibit A is on file in the County offices.
D.
The Commissioner of the County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed, pursuant to § C28-4A of the Suffolk County Charter, to construct dog runs for the use of families with pet dogs within West Hills County Park, and Blydenburgh County Park in the Town of Smithtown, consistent with the provisions of § 643-4A(5) of this chapter.
[Added 5-13-2003 by L.L. No. 17-2003; amended 9-27-2005 by L.L. No.
28-2005]
E.
The Commissioner may, in his discretion, require any person in or
seeking admission to County park property to produce satisfactory
proof of residence or ownership of property or otherwise as may be
relevant and, without liability, may exclude anyone failing to submit
such proof.
F.
All persons shall obey all rules and regulations established by the
Commissioner for the use of all facilities and activities.
A.
No person in a County park shall:
(1)
Willfully destroy, injure, deface, damage, remove or displace any
County real or personal property.
(2)
Deposit or leave any bottles, cans, boxes, paper, rubbish, garbage,
waste or trash in the park or waters in or contiguous thereto, but
all such shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are
provided, and where such receptacles are not provided it shall be
carried away by the person responsible for its presence.
(3)
Be under the influence of intoxicating liquor or illegal drugs.
(4)
Carry a knife upon his person having a blade three inches or longer
in length or bring in or discharge any fireworks, gun, rifle, shotgun,
air gun, BB gun, bow and arrows or firearms, except in the case of
police officers, the Sheriff, Deputy Sheriffs, park rangers, authorized
park personnel or a person given express authorization.
(5)
Bring in or permit any horses, cattle, livestock or domestic animals
of any kind in or on any parkland, except that a dog or cat may be
permitted to use County parkland on a leash, in areas designated for
such use. No dogs shall be permitted off leash outside of an authorized
dog run area that is fenced in, bordered by natural boundaries or
otherwise segregated from other park users. Horses may be permitted
on approved trails, and special permits must be obtained from the
Commissioner for any events involving horses, dogs, etc. No animals
shall be allowed at large except as provided in this section.
[Amended 6-26-2007 by L.L. No. 23-2007]
(6)
Conduct any business, solicitation or advertising except licensed
concessionaires or others when granted permission by the Commissioner
or his designee.
(7)
Build or set fires except under rules and in areas designated by
park personnel.
(8)
Enter or use areas closed to public use or use any area in violation
of posted notices.
(9)
Engage in indecent or disorderly conduct or disturb or interfere
with other persons occupying any area under authority of a permit.
(10)
Fail to comply with directions or instructions of the Commissioner,
his representatives, park attendants, park rangers, lifeguards and
police officers.
(11)
Trap, kill, catch, injure or pursue any wild birds or wild animals
except as authorized by the Commissioner.
(12)
Play any game of chance or bring into any park or use, play,
sell or have in his possession any implement or device used for gambling
purposes.
(13)
Make any mechanical repairs or do any work on any motor vehicle
in any park, except repairs of an emergency nature.
(14)
Pour or cause to spill or permit to escape, in any park, any
oil, gas, salt, acid or other deleterious substance, whether liquid,
solid or gaseous.
(15)
Ride a horse in a reckless manner. Horses shall be well-broken
and ridden only with bridle and saddle. Horseback riding is permitted
only in certain designated parks and, in those parks, only on those
routes and trails specifically established for that purpose. Any person
hiring a horse at riding stables licensed by the Commissioner shall
obey any rules or regulations of said licensee regarding the use of
said horse.
(16)
Prune, cut, carry away, pull up, dig, fell, bore, chop, saw,
chip, pick, move, sever, climb, molest, take, break, deface, destroy,
set fire to, burn, scorch, carve, paint, mark or in any manner interfere
with, tamper, mutilate, misuse, disturb or damage any tree, shrub,
plant, grass, flower or any specimen of floral or faunal life except
when specifically authorized by the Commissioner for scientific, educational
or other purpose.
(17)
Bring beer, ale or other alcoholic beverages into any park where
such is specifically prohibited, except by special written permission
of the Commissioner or his designee.
(18)
Engage in any cutting of wood except as authorized by the Commissioner
or his designee.
(19)
Exhibit, sell or offer for sale or hire any object, merchandise
or service except pursuant to a permit issued by the Commissioner.
No photographs or motion pictures shall be taken for advertising,
commercial or publicity purposes except pursuant to a permit.
(20)
Obstruct or interfere with any lifeguard or other park employee
in the performance of his duties.
(21)
Enter, remain or loiter in any comfort station or other public
structure in a park area except to use such facility for the purpose
for which it is intended.
(22)
Play baseball, football, tennis or frisbee throwing or engage
in any game or sport except if permitted and done only upon the grounds
provided for such purpose, nor shall any person throw stones or any
other object not intrinsic to such sport.
(23)
Operate any motor-powered plane, rocket device, sail device
or unlicensed vehicle unless authorized to do so in writing by the
Commissioner or his designee.
(24)
Use electronic amplification equipment except by prior permit.
Bands or other group activities using amplified equipment will be
permitted only after application in person at the administration office
at West Sayville. At no time may the volume of the sound interfere
with the enjoyment of others in the park.
(25)
Smoke in any area outside of the park's designated parking areas.
This restriction shall not apply to any golf course or campground
owned and/or operated by the County of Suffolk.
[Added 6-19-2012 by L.L. No. 44-2012]
(26)
Sell or offer for sale, provide or otherwise distribute stimulant
drinks to persons under the age of 18.
[Added 3-19-2013 by L.L. No. 17-2013]
Buses, in the discretion of the Commissioner, whether operating
on a schedule or charter basis, shall enter the park only after first
obtaining from the Commissioner or his designee a permit upon application
therefor in such form and containing such information as the Commissioner
may prescribe. No bus shall load, unload or park except in accordance
with directions of the Commissioner and park attendants. Such permits
will be issued only to buses transporting passengers who are authorized
to enter the park under the rules and regulations.
No person in a park shall:
A.
Bathe or swim in any waters in or adjacent to the park except at
places designated therefor and in compliance with all rules prescribed
and during hours designated by the Commissioner.
B.
Dress or undress in the park or in any toilet or other place except
such bathhouses as may be provided for that purpose.
C.
Use the shore for dockage except as authorized by the Commissioner
or his designee.
D.
Fish or hunt except from or on areas designated by regulations and
rules prescribed by the Park Commissioner.
E.
Picnic or lunch in places other than those designated for that purpose.
Park attendants are authorized to regulate such activities to prevent
interference and secure the maximum comfort and convenience of all.
F.
Conduct games or sports contrary to the instructions and directions
of park attendants.
G.
Use water spigots to wash clothes, dishes or his or her person under
them. Water spigots are provided for obtaining drinking and/or cooking
water only. Water spigots may not be permanently hooked up to a trailer
campsite.
A.
The Park Commissioner or his designee shall prescribe the times and
hours during which the park or areas therein are open and shall post
such and other information on a park bulletin board and elsewhere
as he may determine. The Commissioner or his designee may close a
park or areas therein at any time and for any intervals or either
entirely or as to certain uses.
B.
Permits.
(1)
A permit shall be obtained from the Park Commissioner or his designee
before entering a park in the following instances:
(a)
Buses on scheduled or charter trips.
(b)
Groups and organizations comprising 10 or more persons attending
a single occasion.
(c)
Persons desiring to use the park or portion thereof for a special
event, celebration or group-sponsored activity.
(d)
To bring into any park beer, ale or other alcoholic beverages.
(2)
Such permit shall be upon application made in such form and containing
such information as the Park Commissioner prescribes, including the
name and address of the applicant and of the person or group involved,
the day and hours for which the permit is desired, the area for which
use is desired and the estimated number of anticipated attendance;
provided, however, that the Park Commissioner may waive the requirement
of a permit.
(3)
The Park Commissioner, in determining whether to issue such permit,
may consider whether the proposed purpose will unreasonably interfere
with general public enjoyment considering the areas and facilities
available, whether the proposed purpose is reasonably anticipated
to incite disorder or will entail burdensome police duties or other
duties beyond the scope of the usual burdens of park personnel, attendants
and lifeguards and whether the facilities desired are available.
(4)
Any permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations, and
the Commissioner may revoke any permit for violation of any park rules
or regulations.
(5)
The Park Commissioner may provide for issuance of permits in the
form of tags or otherwise for persons or vehicles to indicate eligibility
to attend the park.
(6)
In those parks through which a County-maintained road passes, the
Park Commissioner or his designee may, by order, prescribe maximum
and/or minimum speed limits for said road within the park itself and
cause same to be posted therein.
C.
Fees. There shall be collected by the Commissioner or his designee
any fees as may from time to time be established by the County Legislature.
The current fee schedule shall be conspicuously posted in all parks.
D.
Firewood.
[Added 3-25-1980 by L.L. No. 9-1980]
(1)
Notwithstanding the prohibition set forth in § 643-4A(16) and (18) herein, the Commissioner may establish rules and regulations to allow Suffolk County residents to obtain wood which has either fallen down or has been cut down by authorized agents. Such rules and regulations shall establish a system, whether by lot or otherwise, to ensure that all interested residents of Suffolk County will have an equal opportunity to obtain wood.
[Amended 3-22-2011 by L.L. No. 21-2011]
(2)
An individual can be permitted to remove wood only upon approval by the Commissioner. In making application for approval, the applicant must state that all wood removed from the park will be used by the individual for a personal use in heating his residence. In addition, no individual will be allowed to remove more than two cords of wood within any twelve-month period. In issuing a permit to remove wood, the Commissioner shall specifically designate the fallen trees which the applicant can cut to appropriate lengths for removal. Violation of any rule or regulation established pursuant to this subsection or violation of the terms of the permit shall be punishable pursuant to § 643-9 herein.
A.
All persons entering or in a park shall comply with the state vehicle
and traffic laws, obey all park rangers and park employees directing
traffic and comply with posted signs and such supplementary directions
as may be given by a park ranger or park personnel at any time.
B.
All persons entering or in a park shall drive and park any vehicle
only on park roads and park areas specifically designated for use
by the Park Commissioner and shall comply with posted directions and
instructions of any park attendant, police officer or park ranger.
C.
The Park Commissioner shall set such speed limits as he shall determine
and may, by order, prescribe the direction in which vehicles shall
proceed and the places where vehicles shall stop, turn or otherwise
maneuver.
D.
The Park Commissioner shall cause such appropriate signs to be erected
and pavement markings to be made or other devices installed as he
shall deem necessary for the enforcement of those rules or regulations
or any other authorized herein.
E.
Persons operating vehicles within the park shall at all times observe
and obey the directions, orders and instructions appearing upon or
conveyed by signs, pavement markings or other devices relating to
the parking, standing or stopping of vehicles or how vehicles shall
be operated or the place or manner in which vehicles shall be stopped,
turned or otherwise maneuvered.
F.
The orders of the Park Commissioner promulgated under the authority
contained herein shall become effective as provided by said orders
when the approved signs and markings have been erected and installed
giving notice thereof.
A.
Any person violating any of the rules or regulations prescribed hereunder
or any direction, order or instructions given by anyone authorized
to enforce such rules and regulations, or by any official sign or
pavement marking, shall be guilty of an offense and shall, upon conviction
thereof, be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250; and in addition
thereto, any permit issued pursuant to the provisions of any rule
or regulation herein contained may be suspended or revoked.
B.
In lieu of criminal action against any person for such violations,
a penalty in an amount not to exceed $250 may be recovered by the
County in an action with respect to any single violation. Notwithstanding
the above sentence, however, a penalty in an amount of not less than
$1,000 nor more than $5,000 per violation may be recovered by the
County in an action with respect to the illegal removal or cutting
of wood or standing trees.
[Amended 3-25-1980 by L.L. No. 9-1980]
The Commissioner, his representatives, park personnel, lifeguards,
park rangers and members of the Sheriff's office or any police force
shall enforce these rules and regulations and shall have the authority
to cause to be removed from a park any person violating or acting
in violation of these park rules and regulations.
The Commissioner may make additional rules and regulations which
he deems necessary to carry into effect the intent of this article.
Such rules and regulations shall not take effect until a copy is on
file with the Clerk of the Suffolk County Legislature. The Commissioner
shall not have authority to amend this article except to propose additional
rules as set forth above.
