Redlands Municipal Code Ch. 12.44 Parks

The following words shall have the meaning indicated when used in this chapter:

AMPLIFIED SOUND: Music, sound wave, vibration, or speech projected or transmitted by electronic equipment, including amplifiers.

DIRECTOR: The Director of the Facilities and Community Services Department, or the Director’s authorized designee.

PARK: Any park, playground, athletic facility, recreation area or center, or any other area or structure maintained and operated by the City by itself or in conjunction with any other governmental or private entity for recreational purposes.

PERMIT OR RESERVATION: Written authorization for exclusive use of parks or buildings or portions thereof, as provided for and defined in this chapter.

RISK MANAGER: The City's Risk Manager and his or her authorized designee.

VEHICLE: Any device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn, excepting a device moved by human power. (Ord. 2919 § 1, 2021; Ord. 2823, 2015)

A. No person shall enter, be, or remain in any park unless he complies at all times with all of the regulations set forth in this chapter applicable to such park and with all other applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. The Director may establish such rules and regulations for use or operation of City parks, in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare which are not in direct conflict or less restrictive than the provisions of this section, provided that signs describing such rules and regulations, and the penalty for violation thereof, are placed and posted adjacent to such park. Such rules and regulations shall be subject to the prior approval of the City Manager.

B. Every person shall comply with all written rules and regulations established and properly posted by the Director pursuant to this section; and no person shall willfully disobey or comply with any lawful order or direction of any City employee implementing, carrying out, or furthering the purpose of any rule or regulation posted by the Director. The Director and the Director’s designated employees shall have the authority to eject and expel from such park any person who is in violation of this section, this chapter, or any rule or regulation properly established by the Director. (Ord. 2919 § 2, 2021; Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72101)

The rules and regulations set out in this chapter apply in all parks in the city unless expressly stated otherwise elsewhere in this chapter. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72200)

A. Roads For Public Use: The provisions of the California Vehicle Code are applicable in the city parks upon any way or place of whatever nature which is publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. All violations of said vehicle code shall be enforced and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions thereof.

B. Surfaces Other Than Roads For Public Use: No person shall drive or otherwise operate a vehicle in a city park, and no person shall ride a bicycle (as defined in the California Vehicle Code) in a city park, upon surfaces other than those maintained and open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel, except upon temporary parking areas as may be designated from time to time by the director, and further excepting vehicles in the service of the city.

C. Skateboard Use: No person shall ride or otherwise use a skateboard in a city park upon surfaces other than those specifically designated, maintained and posted as open to the public for such purpose, and each person engaging in such skateboard activities does so at his own risk. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72201)

Except as provided in Chapter 12.45 of this Code, no person shall practice, carry on, conduct or solicit for any occupation, business, or profession in any city park or building, or sell or offer for sale any merchandise, article, or anything whatsoever, unless such person is acting pursuant to a contract with the city, or pursuant to a permit granted by the director or approved by the city council. (Ord. 2922, 2023: Ord. 2823, 2015)

No person shall cause, permit, or allow any animal owned or possessed by him, or any animal in his care, custody, or control to be present in a park except:

A. Equine animals being led or ridden under reasonable control upon any bridle paths or trails provided for such purposes;

B. Equine or other animals which are hitched or fastened at a place expressly designated for such purpose;

C. Dogs or cats when led by a cord or chain not more than six feet (6') long, or when confined within the interior of a vehicle; provided, however, dogs shall not be permitted within those portions of the city's sports park managed by the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) for the city during the times AYSO is conducting or otherwise providing organized youth soccer programs;

D. Dogs which have been specially trained and are being used by blind or disabled persons to aid and guide them in their movements;

E. Small pets which are kept on the person of the possessor at all times;

F. In connection with activities authorized in writing by the director;

G. Fowl or animals turned loose at the direction of the director. (Ord. 2764, 2011)

A. It is the mandatory duty of all persons owning, possessing, in control of, or otherwise responsible for a dog, a cat, or an equine animal in a city park to promptly collect, pick up, and remove all fecal matter left behind by said animal in or upon the park; but this section shall not apply to guide dogs for blind or disabled persons.

B. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

C. The director shall cause signs to be posted within all city parks notifying persons owning or in control of animals of their obligation to comply with the provisions of this section and section 12.44.060 of this chapter and the penalties for violation hereof. (Ord. 2764, 2011)

The city has enacted those sections of this chapter regulating amplified sound for the sole purpose of securing and promoting the public health, comfort, safety, and welfare of its citizenry. The use of electrical equipment of any kind in a city park poses physical risks of harm for which the city may have liability unless such use is reasonably regulated. Additionally, the right of persons to speak is properly limited with regard to time, place and manner by balancing the correlative constitutional rights of the citizens of this community to privacy and freedom from the public nuisance of excessively loud and unnecessary sound. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: Ord. 1931 § 6, 1986: prior code § 72205(a))

It is unlawful for any person to install, use, and operate within a park a loudspeaker or any sound amplifying equipment for the purposes of giving instructions, directions, talks, addresses, or lectures, or of transmitting music to any persons or assemblages of persons in a park, or in the vicinity thereof, except when installed, used, or operated in compliance with one of the following provisions:

A. By authorized law enforcement or park and recreation personnel; or

B. Under a reservation or permit issued by the director, and when operated in accordance with terms of that reservation or permit. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: Ord. 1931 § 6, 1986: prior code § 72205(b))

A. In determining whether to grant or deny a permit, the director shall be guided by the following considerations:

1. The extent to which sound may carry into private or residential areas of the city.

2. Any actual conflict with other scheduled park uses or events.

3. The necessity for careful and safe provision of electricity and the safety of individuals near such electrical sources.

B. The director shall not deny a permit on the basis of any dislike for or disagreement with the content of any proposed talks, addresses, lectures, or musical presentations. (Ord. 2823, 2015)

Upon denial by the director of an application made pursuant to this section, the applicant may appeal to the city council within two (2) days thereafter by filing an application and a copy of the notice of denial with the city clerk, and requesting a hearing. The city clerk shall set the appeal for hearing by the city council at its next regular meeting. Upon such appeal, the city council may reverse, affirm or modify in any regard the determination of the director. (Ord. 2823, 2015)

Amplifiers permitted in parks shall be operated only through a power source provided by the parks division. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: Ord. 1931 § 6, 1986: prior code § 72205(e))

If, at any time, the director determines that the sound produced by an amplified sound system in a park is unreasonably interfering with other persons using the park or with nearby residents in the comfortable and reasonable enjoyment of their premises, the director shall request the person in charge of the assembly, or any other person appearing to be involved in the production of the sound, to immediately reduce the level thereof. If the sound is not reduced within five (5) minutes to a reasonable level, the director may immediately contact the parks division staff to curtail the power source. (Ord. 2823, 2015)

Any additional or alternate power source for lighting or other purposes which may be required must be approved for such use by the city's building and safety division and by the director, for safety, noise and appropriateness. The building and safety division shall inspect all connections, wiring, and components of sound, lighting and/or wiring systems prior to rehearsal and/or performance, and may impose a fee for such inspections as established by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 2823, 2015)

No person shall carry or discharge firearms, firecrackers, rockets, torpedoes, or other types of explosives, or carry or discharge any air gun, or pistol, or any slingshot or similar device, or any bows and arrows, or carry or use any object calculated to make a noise sufficient to disturb the peace or quiet of the park, or bring into any park any of the above objects or articles, and if such objects or articles are brought into any public park, the person or persons so bringing them in will be subject to having them taken away from his person by the proper authorities. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72206)

No person shall cut, break, injure, deface, or disturb any tree, shrub, plant, rock, building, cage, pen, monument, fence, bench, or other structure, apparatus, or property, or pluck, pull up, cut, take, or remove any shrub, bush, plant, or flower, or mark or write upon, paint, or deface in any manner any building, monument, fence, bench, or other structure. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72207)

No person shall cut or remove any wood, turf, grass, soil, rock, sand, gravel, or fertilizer. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72208)

No person shall swim, fish in, bathe, wade in, or pollute the water of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, or reservoir except by permission of the director. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72209)

No person shall cook, prepare, serve, or eat any lunch, barbecue, or picnic except at areas specifically designated for such purposes. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72211)

No person shall sit upon or lie down on the top of any publicly owned table or picnic bench except due to a medical emergency. (Ord. 2826, 2015)

No person shall wash dishes, or empty salt water or other waste liquids, or leave garbage, cans, bottles, papers, or other refuse elsewhere than in designated trash or refuse receptacles. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72212)

No person shall play or engage in any game, except in areas specifically designated for such purposes. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72213)

No person shall distribute any handbills or circulars, or post, place, or erect any bills, notice, paper, or advertising device or matter of any kind except upon application to and as may be permitted by the director; provided, however, in the director's discretion, the director may forward any such application to the city council for consideration. (Ord. 2823, 2015)

No person shall sell or offer for sale any merchandise, article or thing, except upon application to and as may be permitted by the director; provided, however in the director's discretion, the director may forward any such application to the city council for consideration. (Ord. 2823, 2015)

Except as provided in Chapter 12.45 of this Code, no person shall practice, carry on, conduct, or solicit for any trade, occupation, business or profession except upon application to and as may be permitted by the director; provided, however, in the director's discretion, the director may forward any such application to the city council for consideration. In the event the director or city council determines that commercial activity may be permitted, a concessionaire fee may be imposed as a condition of the issuance of such permit. (Ord. 2922, 2023: Ord. 2823, 2015)

No person shall stay or remain in any public park between the hours of nine o’clock (9:00) P.M. and six o’clock (6:00) A.M. of the following day without permission of the Director. The provisions of sections 12.44.100 and 12.44.110 of this chapter shall govern the granting or denial of such permission. The Director may establish seasonal, or other, hours of use and operation for parks. Signs describing such hours of permissible use, and the penalty for violation thereof, shall be placed and posted in accordance with this Chapter. (Ord. 2919 § 3, 2021; Ord. 2823, 2015)

No person shall hold any meeting, service, concert, exercise, parade or exhibition at which more than fifty (50) persons are expected to attend in any public park without first obtaining a permit from the director. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: Ord. 1931 § 10, 1986: prior code § 72220)

No person shall drink or consume any alcoholic beverages or liquors in any open area of any public park. A person may drink or consume alcoholic beverages or liquors in public parks only in enclosed public areas as defined by resolution of the city council pursuant to a written permit from the director. (Ord. 2193 § 2, 1992: Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72221)

The director shall be responsible for scheduling and controlling the use of parks, or portions thereof, for the maximum benefit and participation by interested persons or groups, both public and private. All reservable areas in Sylvan Park shall be subject to reservation according to the rules and regulations of the parks division. Activities sponsored by the parks division or recreation department shall be given preference in the use of city parks. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72300)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the City’s sports field reservation process, and the application, field usage, and associated facilities fees, shall be established by resolution of the City Council. Any person, entity, or organization who violates any provision of any resolution adopted pursuant to this section shall be deemed guilty of either a misdemeanor or infraction, as set forth in chapter 1.20 of this Code. (Ord. 2927 § 2, 2021)

A. Groups of less than fifty (50) persons desiring the use of park areas or structures may request the director to reserve designated park areas for such use. All persons reserving picnic areas shall be subject to the fee schedules applicable to these reserved areas.

B. If the director is satisfied from the information presented to him that the desired area may be reserved for the intended use without unreasonably interfering with the use of the park by other persons and without disturbing the peace of the surrounding neighborhood, he may grant a reservation upon such conditions as he deems necessary. The director will issue reservation forms as necessary to verify the granting of such reservations.

C. If for any reason the director is not satisfied as to the reasonableness of the proposed activity in relation to the use of the park by other persons, or as to the effect of such use upon the peace of the neighborhood, or if he finds that he is unable to agree with the person requesting the reservation as to conditions to be imposed, he shall ask the person to fill out a request for formal permit in accordance with the procedures in sections 12.44.300 through 12.44.360 of this chapter. (Ord. 2193 § 4, 1992: Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72301)

Any person or group making application for use of the Redlands Community Center shall pay the fees for such use as established by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 2199 § 1, 1992)

The procedures set out in sections 12.44.310 through 12.44.360 of this chapter shall be followed by persons desiring to reserve park areas for gatherings or assemblies of fifty (50) or more persons, and by persons requested by the director to complete a request for formal permit under the provisions as listed in section 12.44.290 of this chapter. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72302)

Applications for formal permits must be submitted in writing upon forms available at the quality of life department no less than two (2) weeks or more than ninety (90) calendar days in advance of intended use. (Ord. 2823, 2015)

The director may impose such reasonable conditions inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, upon the issuance of the formal permit as he deems necessary for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare, including, without limitation, conditions related to time, place, frequency, duration, fees, consumption of alcoholic beverages, maximum attendance, parking restrictions and placement of apparatus and equipment. Such conditions and fees shall be set forth in writing and delivered to persons applying for reservations at the time an application is requested. (Ord. 2199 § 2, 1992: Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72302(b))

The director may also require the applicant to provide additional water and sanitary facilities and refuse receptacles as he reasonably believes to be necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare in connection with the intended use. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: prior code § 72302(c))

Except as specifically authorized under special circumstances by the Director, use of power tools in any park shall conclude no later than ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. Rehearsals shall conclude no later than ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. and performances shall conclude no later than eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989)

All fees in support of park areas and structures will be paid at least two (2) weeks prior to the issuance of the formal permit unless special arrangements for payment have been approved in advance by the Director. Park fees or deposits may include, without limitation, such amounts as may be determined by the Risk Manager to be reasonably necessary as security for repair of damage to park property, for cost of cleanup, and for extra personnel to regulate conduct and traffic. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: Prior Code § 72302(d))

The Director may require the applicant to provide a designated number of approved security personnel as may be required by the Chief of Police. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: Prior Code § 72302(e))

The applicant shall agree to reimburse the City for any unusual cleanup and facility repair expenses and for services provided by the Parks Division or the Police Department incurred as a result of the activity authorized by the permit. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: Prior Code § 72302(f))

No permit or reservation for the use of a park, or any portion thereof, shall be transferable without the written consent of the Director. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: Prior Code § 72303)

Any person aggrieved by any act or determination of the Director or the Chief of Police in the exercise of the authority herein granted shall have the right to appeal to the City Council. The appeal shall be in writing, stating the decision appealed from and the reasons for the appeal. That appeal shall be filed with the City Clerk within five (5) working days after the occurrence of the act or determination forming the basis for the appeal. The appeal shall be heard by the Council at the first regular Council meeting occurring more than five (5) days after the filing of the appeal. (Ord. 2081 § 1, 1989: Prior Code § 72400)

Persons or groups holding an event requiring a permit under this chapter within any City park may be required to provide evidence of current insurance, with the City being named as an additional insured insuring the City from any and all liability for injury to persons or property resulting from the event. The minimum amount of such insurance shall be determined by the Risk Manager in his or her discretion. This section shall not apply to City sponsored activities. (Ord. 2823, 2015)

The following parks and adjacent parking lots and sidewalks are hereby designated "drug free zones" pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 11380.5: Sylvan Park, Jennie Davis Park, Smiley Park, Prospect Park, Community Park, Lugonia Park, Ford Park, Texonia Park, Caroline Park, Brookside Park, Crafton Park, Ed Hales Park and Hillside Memorial Park. (Ord. 2273 § 1, 1995)

A. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this section for any person to engage in, or for any adult responsible for the supervision of a minor child to permit the minor child to engage in, any activity prohibited under this section.

B. The Redlands skate park is an unsupervised facility. Riding or otherwise using a skateboard or any other permitted wheeled recreational device in the skate park, or entering into the skate park for the purpose of engaging in such activity, without a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads is prohibited.

C. Other wheeled recreational devices permitted in the skate park are limited to non-motorized bicycles, scooters, in-line skates, roller skates, or wheelchairs.

D. Use of motorized vehicles within the skateboard park is prohibited.

E. Additional ramps, jumps, obstacles or any other equipment are prohibited within the skate park, except as may be authorized in writing by the Director.

F. The use of wheeled recreational devices, including skateboards and in-line skates are considered hazardous recreational activities that create a substantial risk of serious injury or death to participants, those assisting participants, and spectators of such activities. All users of the skate park voluntarily assume the risk of serious injury or death in the use of the skate park.

G. The skate park shall be open for use during the hours that Sylvan Park is open; provided, however, the Director may establish seasonal, or other, hours of use and operation for the skate park. Signs describing such hours of permissible use, and the penalty for violation thereof, shall be placed and posted in accordance with this chapter.

H. The Director may establish such rules and regulations for use or operation of the skate park, in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare which are not in direct conflict or less restrictive than the provisions of this section, provided that signs describing such rules and regulations, and the penalty for violation thereof, are placed and posted adjacent to the skate park. Such rules and regulations shall be subject to the prior approval of the City Manager.

I. Every person shall comply with all written rules and regulations established and properly posed by the Director pursuant to this section; and no person shall willfully disobey or comply with any lawful order or direction of any City employee implementing, carrying out, or furthering the purpose of any rule or regulation posted by the Director. The Director and the Director’s designated employees shall have the authority to eject and expel from the skate park any person who is in violation of this section, this chapter, or any rule or regulation properly established by the Director. (Ord. 2919 § 4, 2021; Ord. 2888, 2019)