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Borough of Rankin, PA
Allegheny County
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[Ord. No. 565, 7/12/2022]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FIELD
The Rankin Borough Athletic Field is an area of contiguous, Borough-owned lots set aside by the Borough for use, in cooperation with a neighboring private owner of land abutting the aforementioned Borough-owned lots, as a multisport athletic field, playground, basketball court(s) and public recreation area. The Rankin Borough Athletic Field and related field amenities are sometimes collectively referred to in this Part as the "field" or "athletic field" unless the specific context in which the term or terms is/are used indicates otherwise.
FIELD AMENITIES
Athletic fields, athletic courts, parking lot and any pavilions, open grass/lawn area, picnic tables, benches, concession stand, bathroom(s) that may be located on the Rankin Borough Athletic Field property.
FIELD USE PERMIT
The original written authorization issued by the Borough of Rankin granting permission for the use of a requested facility.
GROUP
Any number of people sharing something in common, such as an interest or belief, or athletic competition, or organizational charter. This includes participants, spectators, referees, or umpires, adult and youth sport leagues, associations or partnerships.
NONRESIDENT
An individual who resides outside of the Borough, or a group whose business address is outside of the Borough or conducts their primary group activities at a location outside the Borough boundaries.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT OR SERVICE ORGANIZATION
Recognized organizations or groups, associations legally organized as a nonprofit or service organization, will be charged the resident fee charges, regardless of residency or location of activities.
PERMIT RENTAL REQUEST
All users desiring the exclusive use of any portion of the field amenities, pavilion, athletic field(s), or other facilities must complete and submit the required Rankin Borough Athletic Field permit application with any required fees as established by the Borough fee resolution, and as amended from time to time, and/or deposits, to the Borough Secretary or his/her designated representative.
RENTAL PERIODS
Subject to the limitations of the park rules and regulations regarding park hours, a rental period is any six-hour period of time. The rental period includes time for setup and time for cleanup.
RESIDENT
An individual, a business, or a group/organization that resides within the Borough boundaries or conducts their primary group activities at a location within the Borough boundaries.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Any rules and regulations hereby or hereafter promulgated by the Borough Council under the authority herein conferred.
SPORTS SEASON
Determined as follows:
1. 
Spring season: March through mid-June (weather permitting).
2. 
Summer season: mid-June through mid-August.
3. 
Fall season: mid-August through mid-November.
TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR PERIOD
A day of the week. For example: Monday would be considered a twenty-four-hour period.
TYPES OF USE
The types of use are designed to extend the useful character and the facilities the Borough has installed. It is also designed to reduce the unintended consequences of activity taking place on the park athletic field to residents and their property in the immediate area of the park athletic field and to provide other users with greater accessibility.
1. 
PICKUPAn unplanned gathering where people respond to an event as it occurs. This is a casual game played for fun without coaches or sport coordinators present; it is informal with no prior scheduling or coordination.
2. 
SEMI-ORGANIZEDIndividual or group existing on a small, informal scale and involves minor coordination. The frequency of use will be a determining factor as to the group's status more so than the actual number of participants. The frequency eligible for this designation would be no greater than one event per week within a sport season.
3. 
ORGANIZED
A. 
Existing on a large scale and involving the systemic coordination of many different groups or locations. Groups may be part of a league, with a planned sport schedule. This designation can include individuals or groups offering a sports program, camp, clinic or private instruction. The frequency eligible for this designation would be no greater than two weeknight events and one weekend event per week.
B. 
This organized use of the baseball athletic field is restricted in order to reduce the unintended consequences to residents and their property in the immediate area of the park field. This limitation is applicable to permit request use and nonpermit use.
[Ord. No. 565, 7/12/2022]
1. 
All applications for field use permits shall be made upon the official Rankin Borough Athletic Field use permit application form designated by the Borough and shall be accompanied by the required fees, when applicable, said fees to be established by Borough Council resolution. No other form shall be accepted. Applications are available at the Borough office during normal business hours.
2. 
Field use permits issued must be available for inspection by a Borough employee or representative at all times during field occupancy.
3. 
Applications for field use must be submitted at least a month prior to the season for organized and semi-organized sports. All other uses must submit the field use application at least 10 business days prior to desired date of use. Any application submitted in less than the required submission days may but is not guaranteed to be granted.
4. 
It is the policy of the Rankin Borough Council to make its athletic field first available to groups and organizations representing Rankin Borough residents, or with the greatest percentage or Borough residents, and in consideration of the varied uses, age groups, and blending of uses.
5. 
All applicants must execute the hold-harmless agreement section of the field permit application.
6. 
Proof of insurance, listing Rankin Borough as an additional insured, should be submitted along with the application and must be submitted prior to issuance of a field use permit by the Borough for the use of the athletic field. All groups, not-for-profit or service organizations or other organizations applying for a field use permit are required to carry a minimum $1,000,000 for liability coverage.
7. 
All persons applying for a field use permit on behalf of a club, team or organization must submit a signed verification (on a form provided by the Borough) stating that the club/team/organization is in full compliance with Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6301 et seq.
8. 
A person applying for a field use permit must be at least 18 years of age.
9. 
A group, entity or person to whom a field use permit is issued will be held responsible for the actions and conduct of all those associated with the permit holder and with the authorized facility use.
10. 
Persons in receipt of a field use permit may not prevent other field users from making use of the available facilities that are not covered by the field use permit.
[Ord. No. 565, 7/12/2022]
The Rankin Borough Athletic Field is available for public use in accordance with approved field rules and regulations on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the requirements of this Part. If any field amenities are in use and an individual or group presents an approved permit rental request, the individual or group with the permit will be given complete and unencumbered use of the field amenities indicated on the permit.
1. 
Scheduling Priority.
A. 
Application for field use shall be submitted to the Borough Administration office during normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as posted. Completed applications will have the date and time documented immediately upon receipt. In the event two applications for field use are submitted for the same date and time, the reservation will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis based on the documented date and time listed on the application insofar as the application process has been completed and a permit has been issued.
B. 
Rankin Borough residents shall have priority for the reserving of all field amenities (athletic fields, athletic courts, pavilions, open grass/lawn areas, etc.) and other facilities. As such, if two or more applications are pending and a permit has not been issued for the same date and time, Rankin Borough residents shall have priority for the issuance of a permit insofar as the residents complete the application process within 72 hours of initial submission. If a permit has already been issued to a nonresident, the subsequent application of a Borough resident for the same date and time will not have priority, and the application will be returned.
2. 
Reservation and Use Permit Priorities. When all appropriate and completed application forms and user fees have been submitted to the Borough, permission may be granted by the Borough Secretary or designee to user groups based on the following priority order:
A. 
Rankin Borough residents and their families.
B. 
Activities planned, organized and/or sponsored by Rankin Borough.
C. 
For Rankin Borough-based organizations, such as youth sporting or athletic organizations, church programs or other Rankin Borough-based civic, nonprofit, or volunteer organizations.
D. 
For nonresident requested use from user groups not based in Rankin Borough or not referenced in above Subsection 2A through C.
[Ord. No. 565, 7/12/2022]
1. 
Field Hours. The field shall be opened daily to the public at such hours as the Borough Council may, from time to time, designate by resolution, but in no event shall any person be permitted to be in attendance in any park between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, unless special permission is granted by the Borough Council.
2. 
Prohibited Conduct. No person in attendance at the field shall:
A. 
Injure, deface, remove, cut or damage any of the trees, plants, shrubs, turf, buildings, structures, athletic fields or equipment, signs or fixtures, or any other property of Rankin Borough located within the field and approaches thereto.
B. 
Litter any area of the field with trash, garbage, paper, bottles, cans or other waste material, including animal waste, nor dispose of the same in any way except in receptacles designated for such purpose. Additionally, no bringing into the field or dumping of domestic trash, lawn debris, grass clippings, tree stumps, or other vegetation is permitted.
C. 
Light or maintain any fire.
D. 
Remove any structures, benches, seats, tables or other appliances.
E. 
Injure, deface, or destroy or remove any signs, notice, bulletin, card, poster or rule or regulation posted by authority of the Borough Council; nor shall any notice or placard be posted other than by authority of said Council.
F. 
Set up any booth, table or stand for the sale of any article or service that provides a personal financial gain whatsoever within the limits of the field without permission of the Borough Council; distribute, sell, service or rent any services or commodity or solicit for any purpose without permission of the Borough Council.
G. 
Operate, stop or park any vehicle, except in areas where permitted or designated by proper authority of the Borough Council, or operate the same in a reckless or negligent manner or in excess of any posted speed limit or in such a manner as to become a nuisance or safety hazard to other area users.
H. 
Operate commercial vehicles, unless providing authorized services.
I. 
Bring onto the premises, possess or consume any alcoholic beverage, illegal drug or narcotic of any kind; no person shall enter the field in an intoxicated state or otherwise be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs and/or narcotics; provided, however, that the prohibition against the consumption of alcohol shall not apply to an event sponsored by the Borough insofar as the alcohol consumed is purchased from a vendor duly authorized by the Borough to sell liquor at such event and, further, that the alcohol is consumed in an area designated for alcohol consumption.
J. 
Discharge firecrackers or fireworks unless permission has been granted by the Borough Council in designated areas and a permit for such activity has been issued.
K. 
Operate a snowmobile, minibike, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or any motorized vehicle designed to move people, recreational or otherwise.
L. 
Build, erect, plant, dump or cultivate except as approved by the Borough Council.
M. 
Disobey a proper order of a police officer or fail to comply with any rule or regulation, or prohibition posted or displayed by sign or notice.
N. 
Hunt for, capture, kill or attempt to capture or kill, or aid or assist in the capturing or killing of, in any manner, any wild bird or wild animal of any description, either game or otherwise.
O. 
Hit golf balls anywhere in the field, play horseshoes (except where so designated), or conduct any other activity upon athletic fields which would tend to injure, deface, remove, cut or damage any of the field turf.
P. 
Bring any domestic animal or fowl onto the field without the consent of the Borough Council.
Q. 
Conduct themselves in a manner that is a nuisance and disturbs the peace and good order in and around the field. Regulations provided in state laws and the Rankin Borough Code of Ordinances apply to all persons utilizing the field.
R. 
Noise.
(1) 
No person shall use a loudspeaker, public address system or amplifier without first obtaining written permission from the Borough.
(2) 
No person shall play or cause to play any radio, phonograph, tape recorder, television, stereo, or any future undefined electronic device, etc., in a loud or boisterous manner as defined in the Rankin Borough Code.
S. 
Use threatening, abusive, insulting, profane or obscene language or words.
T. 
Commit any disorderly or immoral act.
U. 
Violate any amendments of these rules and regulations which may be established or amended from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council.
[Ord. No. 565, 7/12/2022]
The Borough Council is authorized to establish additional rules and regulations as deemed necessary from time to time by resolution.
[Ord. No. 565, 7/12/2022]
Recreation facilities which become hazardous for public use due to vandalism, weather, water, fire, repair/maintenance or athletic turf rejuvenation or any unforeseeable conditions may be closed only at the discretion of Rankin Borough. Any individual is advised to notify the Borough if a hazard exists. The concession stand shall only be used as and when approved by the Borough Council.
[Ord. No. 565, 7/12/2022]
The police officers of Rankin Borough are charged with enforcement of the provisions of this Part and any rules and regulations promulgated by the Borough Council.
[Ord. No. 565, 7/12/2022]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this Part shall, upon conviction in a proceeding brought before a District Justice under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of $200, plus an assessment for any damage done to the field property, plus costs of prosecution, including attorney's fees; in default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days.