[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Adams County as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alcohol beverages — See Ch. 141.
Animals — See Ch. 145.
Firearms and weapons — See Ch. 206.
Snowmobiles — See Ch. 302.
All-terrain vehicles — See Ch. 347.
[Adopted 8-21-1979 by Ord. No. 6-1979]
The purpose of this article is to establish a swimming area and provide safe and enjoyable aquatic recreation consistent with public rights and interest and the capability of the water resource.
A. 
Applicability and enforcement. The provisions of this section shall apply to the waters of Castle Rock Lake of the Wisconsin River within the jurisdiction of the County. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by those officers authorized to make arrests in Adams County.
B. 
Area designated. The area designated as a swimming area shall be as follows: SE1/4, SE1/4, Sec. 30, Township 17 North, Range Five East. Commencing at south end of riprap shoreline, south 200 feet 90° W 190 feet to 880 elevation. Then north following the 880 elevation 200 feet and back to end of riprap shoreline.
[Added 8-21-1979 by Ord. No. 7-1979]
A. 
Applicability and enforcement. The provisions of this section shall apply to the waters of Petenwell Lake of the Wisconsin River within the jurisdiction of the County. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by those officers authorized to make arrests in Adams County.
B. 
Area designated. The area designated as a swimming area shall be as follows: T.19N. R4E. SW1/4 NE1/4 Sec. 13, Town of Monroe. Commencing at west end of riprap shoreline, south 410 feet, 90° W by 175 feet to elevation of 920. Then north following 920 elevation by 250 feet, and back to point of riprap end. The area shall be designated by buoys which meet the standards set in § NR 5.09, Wis. Adm. Code.
[Added 5-18-1982 by Ord. No. 2-1982]
A. 
Applicability and enforcement. The provisions of this section shall apply to the waters of Patrick Lake within the jurisdiction of Adams County. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by all persons authorized to do so pursuant to Article II, Park Regulations, § 267-18C and D, of this chapter.
B. 
Area designated. The area designated as a swimming area shall be as follows: T16N, R.7E., SW1/4 NW1/4, Sec. 10 Town of New Chester. Commencing approximately 75 feet southwest of the northeast Patrick Lake County Park property shoreline, thence commencing southwest another 150 feet along the shoreline to designate a public swim area. The area shall be designated by buoys which meet the standards set in § NR 5.09, Wis. Adm. Code.
[Added 5-17-1988 by Ord. No. 9-1988]
A. 
Applicability and enforcement. The provisions of this section shall apply to the waters of Lake Camelot within the jurisdiction of Adams County. The provisions of this section shall be enforced by law enforcement personnel within Adams County.
B. 
Area designated. The area designated as a swimming area shall be as follows:
(1) 
Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 15, Town 17 North, Range 6 East, Town of Rome, Adams County, Wisconsin, extending 200 feet along Lake Camelot County Park shoreline, at a distance no greater than 150 feet into the water, while marked swim buoy area must maintain a distance greater than 100 feet from established public boat access area.
(2) 
Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 16, Town 20 North, Range 6 East, Town of Rome, Adams County, Wisconsin, extending 125 feet along Adams County property shoreline, at a distance no greater than 125 feet into the water.
[Added 2-21-1989 by Ord. No. 1-1989]
[Amended 5-17-1988 by Ord. No. 9-1988]
The statutory provisions describing and defining regulations with respect to water traffic, boats, boating and related water activities and safety found in the following enumerated section of the Wisconsin Statutes are hereby adopted and by reference made a part of this article: § 30.68(7), Restricted areas.
The above shall be in strict conformity with § 30.80, Wis. Stats.
[Adopted 3-21-2017 by Ord. No. 08-2017]
A. 
Terms.
(1) 
Administrative and Finance Committee. The term "Committee" shall mean the Adams County Administrative and Finance Committee.
(2) 
Park. The terms "park," "County park," "public access," "trails" and "Adams County Park" are defined to mean all lands and water heretofore and hereafter acquired and/or maintained by the County for park or recreational purposes or placed under the jurisdiction of the Administrative and Finance Committee and include, without limitation, parks and privately owned lands, the use of which has been granted to the County for park, recreational, or like public purposes.
(3) 
Person. The term "person" shall include any individual, firm, partnership, corporation and association of persons, and the singular number shall include the plural.
B. 
Scope. Except when the context provides otherwise, the provisions of this article shall apply to all lands, structures and property owned, leased, or administered by Adams County, Wisconsin, and under the management, supervision, and control of the Committee.
C. 
Parks Supervisor/Park Manager and Trails Coordinator/Park Manager. The Parks, Recreation, and Trails Department, whose heads shall be both the Parks Supervisor/Park Manager and the Trails Coordinator/Park Manager, shall be the administrative positions under the direct supervision of the County Manager/Administrative Coordinator. Both positions will be referred to as "Park Managers" in this article.
D. 
Closing hours.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, except registered campers in or en route to designated campgrounds, to enter or be in any County park between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(2) 
Persons transporting watercraft to and from designated boat landings are permitted at any hour.
(3) 
Persons renting park shelters must vacate such buildings by 10:00 p.m. or another time if first agreed upon by Park Managers.
E. 
Fees, charges, and deposits. It shall be unlawful for any person to use any facility, shelter, land or area for which a fee or charge has been established by the Committee without payment of such fee or charge as posted or otherwise established by the Committee. Such fees will be reviewed annually for any changes.
F. 
Additional rules, permits, and exceptions.
(1) 
Additional rules. Rules and regulations may be made at a public meeting by the Committee governing the further use and enjoyment of parks, parkways, playgrounds, beaches, boat landings, campgrounds, public accesses, lakes, streams, trails, and the facilities thereof. Any person who shall violate such rules or regulations, or who refuses to subject himself thereto, may be excluded from the use of such facility and be subject to the penalties as set forth in § 267-18B of this article.
(2) 
Special permits. Special permits may be granted by Park Managers. The person receiving said permit shall abide by the provisions in the permit as well as all County ordinances unless the permit specifically states that a particular ordinance(s) may be overridden by the permit.
(3) 
Exceptions. Nothing in this article shall prohibit or hinder the Park Managers, other authorized employees, duly authorized agents or any law enforcement officers from performing their official duties.
G. 
Compliance with orders of park patrol officers. No person shall fail or refuse to comply with any reasonable order relating to the regulation, direction, or control of traffic or any other order lawfully given by any park patrol officer or Deputy Sheriff or willfully resist, obstruct, or abuse any park patrol officer or any other official in the execution of his office. Park Managers and Assistant Park Managers are considered park patrol officers when acting in that capacity.
A. 
Public meetings.
(1) 
Any person desiring to hold a public meeting of any kind whatsoever in any park shall first obtain a permit from the Committee or its duly authorized agent. The permit must be applied for not less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled event.
(2) 
Permits will be granted for the purpose of holding any lawful public assembly in accordance with published regulations governing the reasonable use of parks.
B. 
Peddling and soliciting.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to peddle or solicit business of any nature whatsoever or to distribute handbills or other advertising or to post unauthorized signs or decorative matter on any lands, structures, or property in any County park or to use such lands, structures, or property as a base of commercial operations for soliciting or conducting business, peddling, or providing services within or outside of such lands, structures, or property unless first authorized by a Park Manager.
(2) 
Soliciting boat rides. It shall be unlawful to use in any manner the dock, pier, wharf, boat landing, or mooring facilities in or the waters in or immediately adjacent to any County park for the purpose of soliciting rides of any kind unless authorized by the Committee.
A. 
Personal conduct. It shall be unlawful for any person to indulge in violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud, or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which such conduct tends to cause or provoke a disturbance, or to be so intoxicated that the individual is unable to care for his or her own safety, in any County park.
B. 
Noise control. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate loudspeakers, motors, motorboats, motor vehicles, or any other mechanical devices that produce undue or unnecessary noises, as determined by park personnel, without first obtaining a written permit from the Committee or a duly authorized agent.
A. 
Destruction and entry.
(1) 
Destruction, defacement, or removal. It shall be unlawful for any person to disturb, deface, remove, or destroy any trees, shrubs, plants, or other natural growth; to carve on any rocks, archaeological or geological features, signs, walls, or structures; to drive nails in trees; or to move, injure, or deface in any manner any structures including buildings, signs, fences, tables, or other County property. The picking of edible fruits or nuts is permitted.
(2) 
Entry and manipulation. It shall be unlawful for any person to enter in any building, installation, or area that may be under construction or locked or closed to public use; or to disturb or manipulate any water control structure, regulation water markers, dam or culvert; or to enter or be upon any building, installation or area after the posted closing time or before the posted opening time, or contrary to posted notice, in any park.
B. 
Cleaning and refuse.
(1) 
Washing. The washing of cars, persons, pets, cooking utensils, or clothing is prohibited in any of the lakes or streams or on any picnic grounds, playgrounds, recreation areas, parking lots or roadways. The washing of persons, cooking utensils, and clothing shall be permitted at designated campsites or at other authorized and posted locations.
(2) 
Fish and game cleaning. It shall be unlawful for any person to clean, butcher, scale, or skin any fish, game, livestock, or poultry at any location within a park that has a designated fish-cleaning station other than at the designated fish-cleaning station. Refuse from such cleaning operations must be suitably wrapped or packaged and deposited in the refuse containers provided for that purpose.
(3) 
Refuse. It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of any garbage, sewage, bottles, tin cans, paper, or other waste material in any manner except by park users placing the refuse in receptacles provided for such purposes. It shall be unlawful to dump personal household garbage at any time within any County park.
A. 
No person shall operate any vehicle at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour or contrary to official traffic signs in any County park.
B. 
No person shall operate any vehicle in any park in a reckless manner contrary to the provisions of § 346.62, Wis. Stats.
C. 
It shall be unlawful to operate or park any motor vehicle, except as provided for herein, upon any hiking trail, beach area, playground, picnic area, or any other area other than established roads, parking areas, boat ramps, and service areas, or contrary to posted notice.
D. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motor-driven sled, toboggan, or other snowmobile except on designated trails and from one's registered campsite to the nearest trail or route.
E. 
No person shall operate, within any park, any motor vehicle which is not registered and designated for highway travel. All-terrain vehicles/utility terrain vehicles (ATVs/UTVs) registered with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are only allowed in park areas so designated by signage only. Park maintenance vehicles are exempt from the above.
F. 
Commercial motor vehicles greater than 26,000 pounds gross weight are not allowed within any County park without prior consent from the Park Manager.
G. 
It shall be unlawful to park a vehicle in any manner as to obstruct other vehicles or to block a boat landing, trail head, or access area, or contrary to posted notice.
A. 
Fires. It shall be unlawful for any person to start, tend, or maintain any fire between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. or to burn any refuse, noncombustible substance, or any substance such as pressure-treated wood and painted wood that, when burned, emits toxic fumes. All fires must be contained within designated fire rings or grills.
B. 
Fireworks, rockets, and explosive devices. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, fire, or discharge any explosive or pyrotechnics device containing powder within the limits of any County park, except firework displays given under the direction or by the permission of the Park Managers.
C. 
Firearms. It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession or under his or her control any firearm, air gun, or gas-operated gun as defined in § 939.22, Wis. Stats., unless the same is unloaded and enclosed in a carrying case, except handguns carried under the authority of a concealed carry weapon permit that is valid under Act 35 in Wisconsin, or any bow or crossbow, unless the same is unstrung or enclosed in a carrying case, in any County park, and unless one meets the requirements as set forth in § 267-14C, Hunting and trapping, set forth below.
A. 
Pets. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow pets to enter any County public building, bathing beach, or playgrounds within park grounds. In other County park areas and campgrounds pets are permitted provided they shall at all times be kept on a leash not more than 10 feet long. All pets shall be effectively restrained and under the owner's control at all times. All pet feces must immediately be cleaned up by the owner. No person shall allow his or her pet to deprive or disrupt the enjoyment or use of any area by others.
B. 
Horses. It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a horse or have a horse in any Adams County park without the authorization of the Park Manager or designee.
C. 
Hunting and trapping. It shall be unlawful for any person to catch, take, kill, hunt, trap, pursue, or otherwise disturb any wild animals or birds in any County park except under the following conditions:
(1) 
One may hunt in a County park utilizing shotguns and/or muzzle loaders which are fired from the shoulder and using fine shot only and bows and/or crossbows.
(2) 
Hunting must occur from an elevated device shooting down toward the ground.
(3) 
A maximum of three hunters and one trapper are permitted per 40 acres.
(4) 
No hunting and/or trapping is permitted within 50 feet of any park road or hiking trail, and hunting and/or trapping shall occur outside of established public park use areas, swim areas, playgrounds and other high-intensity public use areas.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(5) 
One must obtain a free hunting/trapping permit from the respective park where the hunting/trapping is to occur. Any exception to this section will be detailed in the free hunting/trapping permit.
(6) 
All other current Wisconsin state hunting, trapping and fishing regulations apply.
A. 
Removal of personal property. All personal property which requires registration for entry into any County park, including vehicles, recreational vehicles, motor homes, trailers, and tents, must have current and valid registration with the Adams County Parks Department or be subject to removal by park personnel. Unregistered personal property shall be considered abandoned and therefore subject to removal by park personnel. Removal fees, such as towing, may be charged to the registered owner.
B. 
Personal property that hinders a safety condition. In order to maintain safe grounds and facilities, Park Managers may request that personal property be moved so park personnel can rectify a hazardous condition, maintenance project or any other reasonable objective determined by Park Managers. Upon request by Park Managers, camping units such as RVs, motor homes and tents must be moved at the owner's expense within the time frame specified by the Park Managers.
A. 
Glass containers. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry glass bottles or glass containers of any kind on any bathing beach or in the water adjacent to any bathing beach in any County park.
B. 
Boundary buoys. It shall be prohibited to disturb beach boundary buoys or markers in any swimming beach in any County park.
C. 
Swimming area limits. It shall be unlawful for any person:
(1) 
To swim or bathe outside established swim areas when swim areas are marked by buoys or other signs, thus restricting swimmers or bathers to go beyond the line of buoys. Swim at your own risk at all times.
(2) 
To swim, wade, or bathe within 100 feet of any boat landing.
D. 
Beach athletics. Except in locations designated for such purposes, it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any athletic game or sport, or in any activity upon a bathing beach or in the water, when injury or inconvenience to others might result therefrom.
E. 
No boats within 100 feet of swimming areas. Operation of any motorized boat within 100 feet of a designated swimming area marked by buoys or other means is not permitted.
A. 
Definitions. For the purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
CAMPING or CAMP
The use of a shelter such as a tent, trailer, motor vehicle, tarpaulin, bedroll or sleeping bag for temporary residence or sleeping purposes.
CAMPING PARTY
Any individual, or an individual group occupying a campsite of six people or fewer.
CAMPING UNIT
A single shelter used for a camp by a camping party.
CAMPSITE
A segment of a campground which is used for camping by a camping unit or camping party.
CLOSED SHELTER
Any building or structure capable of being closed to public access and reserved for public or private group activities.
DESIGNATED CAMPGROUND
Any tract of land designated for camping, with or without designated campsites.
B. 
Camping regulations.
(1) 
Camping is prohibited in all County parks except at designated campgrounds with or without designated campsites. Designated campgrounds are those located in Petenwell and Castle Rock Parks.
(2) 
Campsite activities prohibited shall be announced at a public meeting and distributed to park offices pertaining to park rules and regulations and campgrounds management directives.
(3) 
Campsite changes. No registered camping party shall move from one campsite to another campsite in a designated campground without prior approval of the park attendant.
(4) 
Camping permit expiration. All camping permits expire at 2:00 p.m. on the last day of the permit period.
(5) 
Camping permit extensions. Extensions must be obtained prior to 2:00 p.m. on the expiration date of the permit.
(6) 
Campsite entry hours. No camping party shall start setting up or taking down its camping unit between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and the following 7:00 a.m. without authorization of the park attendant or in case of emergency.
(7) 
Campsite parking. A limit of two motor vehicles are permitted to park on or near the immediate area of a campsite. Additional vehicles must be parked in other designated parking lots or overflow areas. All vehicles must display valid proof of Adams County parks registration.
(8) 
Campsite reservations. Reservations will be accepted for reservable campsites in any established campground.
(9) 
Camping prohibitions; posted notice. No person shall camp on any lands under the management, supervision, or control of Adams County parks contrary to posted notice.
(10) 
Camping violations. Violation of any state law or any rules and regulations of this article by a member of a camping party is cause for revocation of the camping permit. It is left to the discretion of the Park Managers and/or park patrol officer as to whether an individual or an entire camping party may be evicted based upon the totality of the circumstances.
(11) 
Quiet hours. Quiet hours shall be maintained by all campers from 11:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. Failure to observe quiet hours may result in revocation of the camping permit or imposition of other sanctions as the park patrol shall determine.
(12) 
Aesthetics and/or abandonment of park user equipment, campers, and/or vehicles. Park personnel have the authority to store or dispose of abandoned park user equipment, campers and vehicles due to failure to pay user fees for such item(s) if such item(s) may be deemed in noncompliance with current rules, regulations, and/or directives.
(13) 
Unauthorized person. No person that is not a registered camper, or invited guest by another camper, shall enter a designated campsite area in any park without prior approval of park personnel.
A. 
Civil action. Adams County Corporation Counsel shall handle all parks civil actions and prosecute or proceed as provided by law.
B. 
Penalties. Any person, firm, company, or corporation who or which violates the regulations set forth in this article, or rules and regulations made by the Committee, shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $20 nor more than $250, together with court costs and costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment thereof, imprisonment in the County jail until such forfeiture and costs are paid, but not more than 30 days, except as provided by law.
C. 
Powers of County park patrol. Any park personnel duly appointed and authorized by the Park Managers to function as a park patrol officer have the authority to issue a citation to appear in court. Said citation shall inform the individual of the offense, the date and time of appearance in court, and the forfeiture deposit required when applicable. The citation shall be immediately forwarded to the Park Manager who shall then consult with Adams County Corporation Counsel. Park patrol shall have at all times the right to enter the premises of any County park building, structure, or enclosure in any park or parkway, including such grounds, buildings, structures, or enclosures which may be leased or set aside for private or exclusive use of any individual or group of individuals, for the purpose of determining that there is compliance with this article and the rules, regulations, and/or directives approved by the Committee, and may use all necessary means to attain that end.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
D. 
Forfeiture amounts. These amounts do not include current court costs. Please refer to Circuit Court bond schedule for bond deposit amount.
Section
Offense
Minimum Forfeiture
§ 267-8D
Entry during closing hours
$25
§ 267-8E
Failure to pay user fee
$20
§ 267-8G
Failure to comply with orders of park patrol officers
$25
§ 267-9A
Failure to obtain use permits
$20
§ 267-9B
Peddling and soliciting
$35
Disorderly conduct
$35
Unnecessary noises
$40
Destruction, entry, defacement, or removal
$200
Cleaning and refuse
$30
§ 267-12
Vehicular traffic and parking - misuse
$30
Starting, tending, or maintaining fires
$40
Fireworks - possession or firing an explosive or pyrotechnic device
$40
Possession of a firearm, air gun, or bow
$40
Allow pets to enter any public building, bathing beach, or playgrounds, or to run at large
$20
Horses
$20
Hunting and trapping - unlawful to take, catch, kill, hunt, trap, pursue, or disturb animals and birds
$40
Failure to remove personal property
$30
Glass containers on beach
$20
Boundary buoys - disturbing bathing beach boundary buoys or markers
$40
Swimming area limits
$20
Beach athletics - engaging in athletic games or sports upon a bathing beach or in the water adjacent to the beach
$20
Boats within 100 feet of swimming area
$60
Camping prohibited - camping except in designated campgrounds
$25
Camping regulations
$15
Campsite changes - moving from an assigned to another without prior approval
$15
Campsite parking - more than 2 vehicles at each site
$30
Violation of quiet hours
$25