Anderson Municipal Code Ch. 9.38 Control and Regulations Within Public Parks

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectfully ascribed to them by this chapter:

A. "Public parks" means any city owned, leased or maintained land that is designated a park by the city council.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or restrict any officer or employee of the city while acting in the performance of any lawful duty imposed upon such officer or employee.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful for any person to mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any building, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, fencing, paving or paving materials, water lines or other public utilities, or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices, placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful for any person to fail to cooperate in maintaining restrooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition. Male persons shall not resort to any restroom and washroom facilities set apart for women, and female persons shall not resort to restroom and washroom facilities set apart for men; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to children under the age of six years when accompanied by an adult person.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to pluck or otherwise destroy, take or remove any flowers, shrubbery, plant, vine, loam, gravel, soil, tree or other material or cultivated growth in any park in the city or cut or remove any loam, gravel, soil, wood or fallen trees except with written permission of the public works director.

(Ord. 469 § 1, 1983)

It is unlawful for any person to climb, walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railings, fences or upon any other property not designated or set aside for such purposes.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to throw, dump, or otherwise place or cause to be placed, or leave either directly or indirectly, any rubbish, garbage, sewage or waste matter, or any trash or refuse of any kind or character in any public park of the city, other than in receptacles established and maintained for such purposes. Violation of this provision shall be subject to a maximum fine of one hundred dollars.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to hunt or take any wild game, animals, birds or eggs in any park in the city, except as may be specifically permitted by authority of the recreation and park commission for the protection of life or property, or the preservation of wildlife in any such park.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to take, carry, use, or transport any firearm, pellet gun, pump gun, zip gun, air rifle, bow and arrow or "BB" gun or similar weapon or device, in, upon, through or across any park in the city without first having obtained a permit in writing from the city police department.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to conduct any organized public program, public assemblage or public address in any public park without first obtaining the written permission of the park director.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful for any person to engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language, or engage in any disorderly or obscene conduct or behavior tending to a breach of the public peace and enjoyment of park and recreation areas.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

Equestrians shall ride only on established equestrian trails and public park main roadways.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to allow any dog to be in attendance at any concert in Anderson River Park, except appropriately identified dogs that are used as canine companions and/or guide dogs for the physically challenged.

(Ord. 708 § 1, 2002: Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

All public parks shall be closed to the public nightly at ten o'clock p.m. and opened daily to the public at seven o'clock a.m. The Rupert Road entrance and the Dodson Road entrance to Anderson River Park, and the entrances to Volante Park, shall be closed nightly from ten o'clock p.m. to seven o'clock a.m. These park entrances may be open outside of these time frames if approved through a special event permit as set forth in Chapter 10.60 of this code.

(Ord. 432 § 1, 1979: Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

(Ord. No. 855, § 1, 4-4-2023)

It is unlawful to discharge or cause to be discharged any fireworks in the public parks. A permit can be granted by the recreation and parks commission but only where they can find that:

A. It is for an established civic celebration;

B. The person proposing to discharge or set off the fireworks has the necessary skill, experience and license to do so; and

C. That this can be done without endangering persons or property.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to maintain an open campfire in any city park, except in designated fire pits.

(Ord. 430 § 1, 1979).

It is unlawful to operate sound equipment in the public parks without a permit issued by the recreation and parks department. Sound permits are subject to cancellation by the police department or any city official upon proper complaint. Use of sound trucks are subject to the provisions of Chapter 5.80.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to operate or park motorized vehicles in the public parks except on main roads and designated parking areas without the prior written permission of the city parks and recreation director or the city manager.

(Ord. 497 § 1, 1985: Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to sell alcoholic beverages in the public parks except in accord with policies established by resolution action of the city council and thereafter authorized in writing by the chief of police. No alcoholic beverages shall be permitted within the adjacent area of one hundred yards while an organized youth activity is being conducted in a public park.

(Ord. 472 § 4, 1983)

No person shall possess any glass beverage container in any municipal park or playground within the city without the prior written permission of the city recreation director. A violation of this section shall be an infraction, punishable as set forth in Section 1.20.010.

(Ord. 468 § 1, 1983)

It is unlawful for any person to present, conduct, hold, or participate in any dance in any public park without first having written permission therefor from the city council.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful for a concessionaire to operate a concession stand in the public parks without a business license. Concessionaires and nonprofit organizations wishing to operate concessions in the park shall abide by the following:

A. Concessionaires. A mobile concession stand shall be permitted in the public parks with the following conditions:

1. The mobile stand shall be furnished by the concessionaire at no cost to the city.

2. The mobile stand may be operated at any location in the public park except at the softball field in Anderson River Park during games or tournaments and at the ballfields at Volonte Park during games or tournaments, and shall be located on any paved or parking area in such a way as to not be a traffic hazard.

B. Nonprofit Organizations. Operations of concessions by nonprofit organizations in the public parks shall be permitted but only after an agreement has been reached and signed between the city council and the organization requesting to operate a concession. Some guidelines to consider in the agreement are:

1. If a concession request involves construction of a concession stand the construction shall be at no cost to the city. After construction is completed, the stand shall become the property of the city.

2. All profits from the stand by the organization involved shall be used for the league or go back into the facility. A percentage of the gross receipts go back to the city for maintenance of building and facility.

3. The concession stand may by used by any other nonprofit organization conducting a permitted activity. Other nonprofit organizations shall pay ten percent of the gross receipts for maintenance.

4. The recreation and parks department shall schedule out the use of the facility.

5. During any game or tournament held no other concessionaire shall operate in the immediate vicinity.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to camp overnight in any public park except in such areas within the Anderson River Park which are designated by the city council for recreation vehicle camp sites. Rules and regulations pertinent to recreation vehicle camp sites shall be established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

It is unlawful to construct, plant, replace, repair, or add anything to the public parks without permission. Small donations such as flowers, trees, or repair or replacement of small items may be approved by the director thereof. All facility donations to the city for public parks shall be approved by the recreation and parks commission and the planning commission. The commissions shall make recommendations to the city council who shall take final action on the proposed donation. General guidelines to follow in considering donations are as follows:

A. Conformity to the parks master plan;

B. Maintenance costs of facility to be donated;

C. Benefit to the public;

D. Location;

E. Cost to the city of the donation itself.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

All public park facilities shall be scheduled through the recreation and parks department.

A. All public park facilities are available on a first come, first serve basis, except when reserved. The following public park facilities may be scheduled by reservation:

1. Volonte Parks Doc Campbell field and Little League field;

2. Tennis courts;

3. Anderson River Park Scout Hall, Kimberly Clark Grove areas 1 and 2, Large Barbecue areas 1 and 2, softball field, and Farm League field.

B. The reserving of ball fields listed above shall apply to games, leagues and night practices only. Reservation, rules and regulations shall be established by the recreation and parks commission.

C. A fee schedule for park facilities shall be established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

The city shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing, or device used in violation of the terms of this chapter. The commission of any act declared unlawful under this chapter shall be considered an infraction, punishable as specified in Section 1.20.010 of this code.

(Ord. 444 § 5(9), 1981; Ord. 371 § 1 (part), 1977)

A. Smoking Prohibited. The City of Anderson City Council may by resolution designate those areas and times within the City of Anderson where and when smoking is prohibited and declared to be unlawful.

B. Criminal Offense. Persons smoking in prohibited areas of the city shall be guilty of an infraction for each such incident and punishable as an infraction as set forth in Section 1.20.010 of this code.

(Ord. 709 § 1, 2002)

(Ord. No. 773, 10-4-2011)

A. Location and Purpose of Skateboard Park. The skateboard park (hereafter referred to as the "park") located within the Volonte Park in the city of Anderson is a facility owned and operated by the city of Anderson for the purpose of recreational skateboard use, or any other authorized device, and is not supervised on a regular basis as described in the California Health and Safety Code Section 115800.

B. Requirements to Use Safety Equipment and Abstain from Dangerous Activities. Persons riding skateboards, or any other authorized device, within the skateboard park shall wear all required protective gear. It is unlawful and shall be an infraction for anyone to do any of the following activities:

1. Ride a skateboard or any other authorized device within the park without wearing all required protective gear. The phrase "all required protective gear" refers to all of the following: a helmet securely fastened under the chin, elbow pads on each elbow and knee pads on each knee, all of which items have been commercially manufactured and designed to provide protection of the rider from personal injury in the event of impact with a solid surface;

2. Ride any type of motorized device within the park;

3. Ride any type of cycle (unicycle, bicycle, tricycle, etc.) or scooter within the park;

4. Engage in activities within the park, which knowingly create a reasonably foreseeable danger of physical harm or injury to another person;

5. Engage in activities within the park, which violate any of the posted rules.

C. Assumption of Risk. Any and all persons riding skateboards, or any other authorized device, within the park and those in close proximity thereto shall be deemed to have assumed the risk of any harm and injury they may incur in that skateboarding, or use of any other authorized device, even with the safety equipment (i.e., protective gear) required, is considered a "hazardous recreational activity" within the meaning specified in California Health and Safety Code Section 115800 and California Government Code Section 831.7.

(Ord. 736, 2005: Ord. 719, 2003)