Del Rey Oaks Municipal Code Ch. 12.20 Public Parks

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Del Rey Oaks Ordinance Regulating Conduct in Public Parks."

(Prior code § 10-501)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular number, and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

City means the city of Del Rey Oaks.

Director means a person immediately in charge of any park area and its activities, and to whom all park attendants of such area are responsible.

Park means a park, reservation, playground, beach, recreation center or any other area in the city, owned or used by the city, and devoted to active or passive recreation.

Person means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind.

Vehicle means any wheeled conveyance, whether motor powered, animal-drawn, or self-propelled. The term shall include any trailer in tow of any size, kind or description. Exception is made for baby carriages and vehicles in the service of the city parks.

(Prior code § 10-502)

No person in a park shall:

A. Buildings and Other Property.

1. Disfiguration and Removal. Wilfully mark, deface, injure, tamper with, or displace or remove, any building, bridges, tables, benches, railings, paving or paving material, water lines, or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or 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.

2. Restrooms and Washrooms. Fail to cooperate in maintaining restrooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition. No person over the age of five years shall use the restrooms and washrooms for the opposite sex.

3. Removal of Natural Resources. Dig or remove any beach sand, whether submerged or not, or any soil, rock, stones, trees, shrubs or plants, down-timber or other wood or materials, or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting, or other means or agency.

4. Erection of Structures. Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary in character, or run or string any public service utility into, upon, or across such lands, except on special written reservation issued hereunder.

B. Trees, Shrubbery, Lawns.

1. Injury and Removal. Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark, or pick the flowers or seeds, of any tree or plant. Nor shall any person attach any rope, wire, or other contrivance to any tree or plant. A person shall not dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas, or in any other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.

2. Climbing Trees, Etc. Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon any monuments, vases, fountains, railings, fences or gun-carriages or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.

3. Hitching of Animals. Tie or hitch a horse or other animal to any tree or plant.

C. Wild Animals, Birds, Etc.

1. Hunting. Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor shall he remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest, or young of any reptile or bird; nor shall he collect, remove, have in his possession, give away, sell or offer to sell, or buy or offer to buy, or accept as a gift, any specimen alive or dead of any of the group of tree snails. Exception to the foregoing is made in that snakes known to be deadly poisonous, such as rattlesnakes, moccasins, coral snakes, or other deadly reptiles, may be killed on sight.

2. Feeding. Give or offer, or attempt to give to any animal or bird any tobacco, alcohol or other known noxious substances.

(Prior code § 10-503; Ord. No. 254, § 1, 5-22-2001)

No person in a park shall:

A. Pollution of Waters. Throw, discharge, or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, bay or other body of water in or adjacent to any park or any tributary, stream, storm sewer, or drain flowing into such waters, any substances, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said waters.

B. Refuse and Trash. Have brought in or shall dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, papers, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage, or refuse, or other trash. No such refuse or trash shall be placed in any waters in or contiguous to any park, or left anywhere on the grounds thereof, but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided; where receptacles are not so provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence, and properly disposed of elsewhere.

(Prior code § 10-504)

No person in a park shall:

A. State Motor Vehicle Laws Apply. Fail to comply with all applicable provisions of the state motor vehicles traffic laws in regard to equipment and operation of vehicles together with such regulations as are contained in this chapter and other ordinances.

B. Enforcement of Traffic Regulations. Fail to obey all traffic officers and park employees, such persons being authorized and instructed to direct traffic whenever and wherever needed in the parks and on the highways, streets or roads immediately adjacent thereto in accordance with the provisions of these regulations and such supplementary regulations as may be issued subsequently by the director.

C. Obey Traffic Signs. Fail to observe carefully all traffic signs indicating speed, direction, caution, stopping, or parking, and all others posted for proper control and to safeguard life and property.

D. Speed of Vehicles. Ride or drive a vehicle at a rate of speed exceeding 15 miles an hour, except upon such roads as the director may designate, by posted signs, for speedier travel.

E. Operation Confined to Roads. Drive any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads or parking areas, or such other area as may on occasion be specifically designated as temporary parking areas by the director.

F. Parking.

1. Designated Areas. Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area, and such use shall be in accordance with the posted directions there at and with the instructions of any attendant who may be present.

2. Full-Parking. Full-park on the road or driveway at any time. In order to enjoy some special natural scenic feature, vehicles may be parked with the two left wheels near the right edge of the paving for not more than 15 minutes. No stopping or parking is permitted even briefly on the left hand side of any road or driveway.

3. Immovable Vehicles. Leave any vehicle anywhere in the park with one or more wheels chained, or with motor set in gear and doors locked, or in any manner fixed or arranged so that such vehicle cannot readily be moved by hand.

4. Night Parking. Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night without lights clearly visible for at least 100 feet from both front and rear on any driveway or road area except legally established parking areas.

5. Emergency Procedure. Fail to immediately notify an attendant of an emergency in the nature of a breakdown requiring the assistance of a tow-truck, mechanic or other person.

6. Double-Parking. Double-park any vehicle on any road or parkway unless directed by a park official.

7. Muffler Required. Fail to use a muffler adequate to deaden the sound of the engine in a motor vehicle.

G. Bicycles.

1. Confined to Roads. Ride a bicycle on other than a paved road or path designated for that purpose. A bicyclist shall be permitted to wheel or push a bicycle by hand over any grassy area or wooded trail or on any paved area reserved for pedestrian use.

2. Operation. Ride a bicycle other than on the right-hand side of the road paving as close as conditions permit, and bicycles shall be kept in single file when two or more are operating as a group. Bicyclists shall at all times operate their machines with reasonable regard to the safety of others, signal all turns, pass to the right of any vehicle they are overtaking, and pass to the right of any vehicles they may be meeting.

3. Rider Prohibited. Ride any other person on a bicycle.

4. Designated Racks. Leave a bicycle in a place other than a bicycle rack when such is provided and there is a space available.

5. Immobile. Leave a bicycle lying on the ground or paving, or set against trees, or in any place or position where other persons may trip over or be injured by them.

6. Night Operation. Ride a bicycle on any road between 30 minutes after sunset or before 30 minutes before sunrise without an attached headlight plainly visible at least 200 feet in front of, and without a red tail-light or red reflector plainly visible from at least 100 feet from the rear of, such bicycle.

(Prior code § 10-505)

No person in a park shall:

A. Hunting and Firearms. Hunt, trap or pursue wild life at any time. No person shall use, carry, or possess firearms of any description, or air-rifles, spring-guns, bow-and-arrows, slings, or any other forms of weapons potentially inimical to wild life and dangerous to human safety, or any instrument that can be loaded with and fire blank cartridges, or any kind of trapping device. Shooting into park areas from beyond park boundaries is forbidden.

B. Picnic Areas and Use.

1. Regulated. Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose. Attendants shall have the authority to regulate the activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum use for the comfort and convenience of all. Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end.

2. Availability. Violate the regulation that use of the individual fireplaces together with tables and benches follows generally the rule of "first come, first served."

3. Nonexclusive. Use of any portion of the picnic areas or any of the buildings or structures therein for the purpose of holding picnics to the exclusion of other persons, nor shall any person use such area and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded, except as may be allowed under a valid reservation issued by the City.

4. Duty of Picnicker. Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers, cans, bottles, garbage and other refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available, then refuse and trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.

C. Camping. Camp overnight in other than permanent cabins for organized camping, provided by the director and used by groups of persons under adequate supervision. No person shall set up tents, shacks, or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping, nor shall any person leave in a park after closing hours any moveable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, such as house-trailer, camp-trailer, camp-wagon, or the like.

D. Games.

1. Take part in or abet the playing of any games involving throwing or otherwise propelled objects such as balls (for example baseball, volleyball or soccer), staves, arrows, javelins, model airplanes or golf except in areas set apart and designated for such forms of recreation.

2. Wear cleated or spiked shoes, except baseball shoes which may be worn in designated baseball areas only.

3. Drive or otherwise imbed any stake or pole into the ground for the purpose of designating an area for or playing any sport, game or recreational activity.

4. Roller skate except in areas specifically designated for such activity.

E. Horseback Riding. Ride a horse except on designated bridle trails. Where permitted, horses shall be thoroughly broken and properly restrained, and ridden with due care, and shall not be allowed to graze or go unattended, nor shall they be hitched to any rock, tree or shrub.

F. Hours. Use or be present during the period of time between one hour after sunset and sunrise (current local time) except with an express reservation of the director herein specified. The director shall post or cause to be posted signs in conspicuous places in the park giving notice of this provision.

(Prior code § 10-506; Ord. No. 225 § 1, 1993; Ord. No. 254, §§ 1, 3, 5-22-2001)

No person in a park shall:

A. Intoxicating Beverages.

1. Prohibition. Have brought alcoholic beverage, nor shall any person drink alcoholic beverages at any time in the park.

2. Reserved.

B. Fireworks and Explosions. Bring, or have in his possession, or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn, any firecrackers, torpedo, rocket, or other fireworks or explosives of inflammable material, or discharge them or throw them into any such area from land or highway adjacent thereto. This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture, or article that in conjunction with any other substance or compound would be dangerous from any of the foregoing standpoints.

C. Dogs and Other Animals. Have been responsible for the entry of a dog, except for a seeing eye dog when accompanied by the handicapped owner, or other animal into the park other than the access road of the park. Any dog in an area in which such an animal is permitted shall be restrained at all times on an adequate leash not greater than eight feet in length.

D. Reservation of Facilities. Occupy any seat or bench, or enter into or loiter or remain in any pavilion or other park structure or section thereof which may be reserved and designated by the board for the use of the opposite sex. Exception is made for children under five years of age.

E. Dress. Appear at any place in other than proper clothing. With the exception of the restricted bathing areas, "properly clothed" shall be construed to prohibit the wearing of trunks or clothing that does not cover the upper portion of the body.

F. Fires. Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the director. No person shall drop, throw, or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other inflammable material, within any park area or on any highway, road or street abutting or contiguous thereto.

G. Closed Areas. Enter an area posted as "Closed to the Public," nor shall any person use, or abet the use of any area in violation of posted notices.

H. Games of Chance. Gamble, or participant in or abet any game of chance.

I. Loitering and Boisterousness. Sleep or protractedly lounge on the seats, or benches, or other areas, or engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language, or engage in any disorderly conduct or behavior tending to a breach of the public peace.

J. Exhibit Permits. Fail to produce and exhibit any reservation from the director he claims to have upon request of any authorized person who shall desire to inspect the same for the purpose of enforcing compliance with any ordinance or rule.

K. Interference with Permittees. Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area, or participating in any activity, under the authority of a reservation.

(Prior code § 10-507; Ord. No. 225, §§ 2, 3, 1993; Ord. No. 233, §§ 31, 32, 1995; Ord. No. 254, §§ 1, 2, 5-22-2001)

No person in a park shall:

A. Vending and Peddling. Expose or offer for sale any article or thing, nor shall he station or place any stand, cart, or vehicle for the transportation, sale or display of any such article or thing. Exception is here made as to any regularly licensed concessionaire acting by and under the authority and regulation of the director.

B. Advertising. Announce, advertise, or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire.

C. Signs. Paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription whatever, nor shall any person erect or cause to be erected any sign whatever on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park.

(Prior code § 10-508)

A. Hours. Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year during designated hours. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall be posted therein for public information.

B. Closed Areas. Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public by the director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise) and either entirely or merely to certain uses, as the director shall find reasonably necessary.

C. Lost and Found Articles. The finding of lost articles by park attendants shall be reported to the director who shall make every reasonable effort to locate the owners. The director shall make every reasonable effort to find articles reported as lost.

D. Reservation. A reservation shall be obtained from the appropriate director before participating in any of the activities as identifiable by resolution of the city council.

1. Application. A person seeking issuance of a reservation hereunder shall file an application with the appropriate director. The application shall state:

a. The name and address of the applicant;

b. The name and address of the person, persons, corporation or association sponsoring the activity, if any;

c. The day and hours for which the reservation is desired;

d. The park or portion thereof for which such reservation is desired;

e. An estimate of the anticipated attendance;

f. Any other information which the director shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a reservation should issue hereunder.

2. Standards for Issuance. The director shall issue a reservation hereunder when he finds:

a. That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park;

b. That the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation;

c. That the proposed activity or use is not reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime, or disorderly conduct;

d. That the proposed activity will not entail unusual extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the city;

e. That the facilities desired have not been reserved for other use at the day and hour required in the application.

3. Appeal. Within ten days after receipt of an application, the director shall apprise an applicant in writing of his reasons for refusing a reservation, and any aggrieved person shall have the right to appeal in writing within 30 days to the city council, which shall consider the application under the standards set forth in subsection (2) of this section and sustain or overrule the director's decision within 30 days. The decision of the city council shall be final.

4. Effect of Reservation. A reservationee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as though the same were inserted in said permits.

5. Liability of Reservationee. The person or persons to whom a reservation is issued shall be liable for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whatever by reason of the negligence of the person or persons to whom such reservation shall have been issued.

6. Revocation. The director shall have the authority to revoke a reservation upon finding a violation of any rule or ordinance, or upon good cause shown.

(Prior code § 10-509; Ord. No. 233 § 13, 1995; Ord. No. 254, § 1, 5-22-2001)

A. Officials. The director and park attendants shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this chapter.

B. Ejectment. The director and any park attendant shall have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation of this chapter.

C. Seizure of Property. The director and any park attendant shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing or devise in the park, or used, in violation of this chapter.

(Prior code § 10-510)