Reedley Municipal Code Ch. 3 Public Parks

A. The City Council of the City of Reedley finds, and this chapter is adopted in light of these findings, that it is in the public interest to regulate the use of public parks and recreation areas in the City for meetings, assemblies, activities or other events in order to ensure that such events are carried out in a safe manner, in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the use of such parks and recreation areas by other members of the general public not participating in the event, and in a manner which does not damage park property, playgrounds and other City property, including landscaping or natural vegetation.

B. The terms "public park" or "recreation area" as used herein shall include all park sites and City parks, whether formally designated, named, or unnamed, and all land, lakes, rivers, beaches and roadside rests, together with the improvements and facilities provided thereon or therein, which are owned or operated by the City as a public park or public recreation area and the provisions of this chapter shall apply thereto. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

The following areas are designated as City parks of the City:

• C.F. Mueller Park

• Camacho Park

• Citizens Park

• Cricket Hollow Park

Pioneer Park

Reedley Beach

Smith Ferry

Sports Park

Trimble Park

All other public parks and park sites, including City parks, whether formally named or unnamed, owned by the City and all public school sites in the City used to conduct City recreation programs, are City parks subject to the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

It shall be unlawful for any person in any public park or recreation area to pick or damage any flowers, foliage or fruit or to break, dig up or in any way mutilate or damage any tree, shrub, plant, grass, railing, wall, seat, fence or other structure or to cut, carve, write, paint or otherwise make any mark thereon or to fasten to any tree, stone, fence, wall, monument or other structure any sign, notice, advertisement or other inscription. No person may dig up or remove any dirt, stone, or rock, make any excavation, lay or set off any blast, or otherwise alter the natural features of any park or recreation area without a written permit issued by the City. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

It shall be unlawful for any person within any public park or recreation area to do any of the following:

A. Deposit, place, throw or in any manner dispose of any rubbish, trash, garbage, can, bottle, glass or paper or any decaying or putrid matter of any kind whatsoever except in containers provided for such purpose.

B. Contaminate, alter, or deposit or place any harmful substance into any watershed, lake, river, or other water supply or water feature, and in this respect it shall be unlawful to wash any clothing or cooking utensils in any such waters.

C. Light any fire except in places specifically provided therefor, and all dead wood, moss, dry leaves, chips or other combustible material which may have gathered around any place provided for fires shall be carefully removed before lighting any fire. When the fire is no longer needed, it shall be completely extinguished with water.

D. Possess or use any fireworks of any kind whatsoever except for a public display pursuant to a permit therefor.

E. Possess any firearm or discharge such firearm within, into or across such park or recreation area, provided that this provision shall not apply to any peace officer or concessionaire in the lawful discharge of his duty.

F. With regard to birds and animals:

1. Kill, wound, chase or capture any wild bird or animal; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to the duly authorized agents of the City in the necessary control of predatory birds or animals.

2. Hunt, pursue, annoy, throw any projectile(s) at, or molest or disturb in any way any animal, bird or reptile within the confines of any park.

3. Permit any dog, cat, fowl or other domestic animal under his control to enter or go at large within such park or recreation area; provided, however, that this shall not apply to dogs upon a leash and under the immediate control of the person in possession thereof; nor shall it apply to any leash free area authorized by the City Council in any park.

G. Engage in gambling in any form.

H. With regard to vehicles:

1. Operate an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle in excess of posted speed limits or into any areas where signs prohibiting the same have been placed.

2. Hang behind any vehicle, or to tow any vehicle of any kind in any park, excepting, however, in case of break downs within the park, the disabled vehicle may be towed to the nearest point of exit.

I. With regard to business practices:

1. Solicit, sell or peddle any food, drink, circulars, papers, goods, wares or merchandise of any kind except pursuant to specific concession or permit therefor secured from the City.

2. Promote, conduct or manage any game, contest, show, exhibition, concert or lecture when an admission charge thereto is made or an offering received except in strict accordance with a written permit issued by the City.

3. Distribute any handbills or circulars, or to post, place or erect any bills, notice, paper or advertising device or matter of any kind.

4. Practice, carry on, conduct or solicit for any trade, occupation, business or profession, without a written permit issued by the City.

J. Indulge in riotous, boisterous, threatening, indecent or immoral conduct, or abusive, threatening, profane language, or to throw any projectile(s) which may cause harm to any person or property.

K. With regard to game and play activities:

1. Play or engage in any game, excepting at such place as shall be especially set apart for that purpose.

2. Engage in the following activities and/or games: discus throwing, javelin throwing, field hockey, baseball (hardball), rock throwing, bean shooters, gas model airplanes, fireworks, boomerangs, slingshots, air guns, golf, and archery, except in officially designated areas.

L. Remain, stay or loiter in any public park or recreation area between the hours of ten thirty o'clock (10:30) P.M. and five o'clock (5:00) A.M. of the following day, without a written permit issued by the City or as otherwise authorized by a posted sign by the City at the park or recreation area.

M. Open, expose or interfere with any water or gas pipe, hydrant, stopcock, sewer, basin or other construction in any park where prohibited.

N. With regard to alcoholic beverages:

1. Bring into any park, beach or recreation area, or possess or consume in any such area, any alcoholic beverage without first obtaining a written permit from the City, and said permit shall not allow the use, sale, or consumption, of any alcoholic beverage after dusk, which must also be approved by the Chief of Police. "Alcoholic beverage" includes alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer and any liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, wine or beer, and which contains one-half of one percent (0.5%) or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone, when diluted, mixed or combined with other substances.

2. Notwithstanding subsection N1 of this section, it is unlawful to bring into, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages at the Reedley Beach, Cricket Hollow Park, Smith Ferry Park and Camacho Park, and no written permit may be issued by the City authorizing the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages at these City parks except as approved by the City Council.

O. Smoking or the use of smokeless tobacco products as prohibited in title 4, chapter 3 of this Code. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

It shall be unlawful for any person to camp within any park or recreation area without having first secured a written permit from the City and paid the applicable fee therefor to the City, and no person shall camp outside of a camp site or site designated in such permit. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

A written permit shall be obtained from the City prior to using any public park or recreation area under the following circumstances:

A. Where any person, company, society, or organization wishes to reserve and use the park or recreation area or any portion thereof for an event that is reasonably likely or expected to attract more than twenty five (25) persons.

B. The term "event" as used herein includes, but is not limited to, any picnic, celebration, parade, service, assemblage, meeting, gathering, activity, or public or private exercise in any public park or recreation area.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to take part in any event at a public park or recreation area conducted without a written permit from the City as required by this chapter. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

Persons desiring to reserve park and picnicking facilities must obtain a written permit therefor from the City, and the City may assign and reserve particular areas therefor on a first come, first serve basis. It shall be unlawful for any person other than those designated in the permit to occupy any areas so assigned when signs making known such reservations have been posted or such persons have been otherwise informed thereof by any City officer or employee. Any person desiring to reserve an area shall make a deposit with the City in an amount established by resolution of the City Council. Said deposit shall be for the purpose of guaranteeing that the person obtaining the reservation will clean up the area and that no damage to any park property will occur. Said deposit shall be returned if the area is left clean and no such damage is committed. The City may retain the deposit, in whole or in part, in an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable costs of any clean up or repair of any damage. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble, collect or gather in any walk, driveway, passageway or pathway in any park or in any other place set apart for the travel of persons or vehicles in or through any park or to occupy the same so that the free passage or use thereof by persons or vehicles passing along the same shall be obstructed in any manner. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

In order to promote the safety, comfort and convenience of persons using any park or recreation area, the City Council may from time to time, by resolution, adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter and make the same applicable generally or to a particular park or recreation area or portion thereof. Such rules and regulations may include regulating the speed of vehicles, establishing campsites, parking areas and areas where parking or driving of vehicles is prohibited, areas where certain games or activities are prohibited, and such other rules and regulations as in the opinion of the City Council are necessary for the safety, comfort and convenience of persons using such park or recreation area. When such rules and regulations have been adopted and signs erected within the park or recreation area or portions thereof affected thereby informing the public of the substance of such rules and regulations, it shall be unlawful for any person to fail to comply therewith. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

The chief law enforcement official of this chapter shall be the Chief of Police. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

The enclosed dog park area at C.F. Mueller Park is designated as a leash free (off leash) dog park area. Additional leash free (off leash) dog park areas may be designated by City Council ordinance or resolution. The City reserves the right to modify the regulations by ordinance or resolution, and the most current adopted regulations shall be posted by the City at the dog park. It shall be unlawful for any person using any authorized leash free dog park area to not abide by the adopted and posted regulations, including the following:

A. Dog owners are legally responsible for their dog(s) and any injuries caused by their dog(s). Use of the dog area is at owner's risk.

B. Dog handlers must be at least eighteen (18) years old and capable of handling and controlling any dog under their care or custody in the off leash area.

C. No dog(s) under the age of four (4) months shall be allowed in an off leash dog area.

D. All dogs must have current vaccinations as required in section 5-3-17 of this Code.

E. All dogs must be licensed as required in section 5-3-15 of this Code. All licenses must be on the dog's collar and the collar must be on the dog at all times.

F. No dog(s) in heat are allowed within the off leash dog area.

G. Owners/handlers may not have more than three (3) dogs with them in the off leash area at any given time.

H. Dogs shall be escorted to and from the off leash area on a leash which does not exceed six feet (6') in length.

I. Owners/handlers are responsible for the immediate removal of fecal matter deposited in the off leash area by their dog(s). All feces must be properly disposed of in the receptacles provided within the off leash area.

J. No aggressive dogs are allowed within the off leash area. A dog displaying aggressive behavior toward any person or other dog must be immediately removed from the park by its handler for the remainder of that day.

K. No children under the age of ten (10) are allowed in the off leash area. Children ages 10 - 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

L. Sports activities, bicycles, picnics, and similar activities are prohibited in the off leash dog area.

M. Dogs are required to wear a basic flat buckle collar, training collar, or harness with identification tags at all times.

N. Violators of the stated rules may be removed from the park and park privileges may be suspended.

O. The City of Reedley reserves the right to close the off leash dog area at any time.

P. Dogs shall not be left unattended in the off leash dog area. Handlers must be with the dog(s) at all times. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)

A splash pad and associated water features are located at Trimble Park. The City may install or place splash pads or water features at other City parks as authorized by the City Council. The splash pad days and hours of operation shall be posted on a sign at the park, along with applicable rules and regulations. The splash pad and water features shall generally be open and operational daily from ten o'clock (10:00) A.M. to seven o'clock (7:00) P.M., from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing or the posted days and hours of operation, the splash pad and water features may be closed or rendered nonoperational due to weather, maintenance or operation concerns, or as otherwise determined by the City Manager. The City reserves the right to modify the splash pad regulations by ordinance or resolution, and the most current adopted regulations shall be posted by the City at the park. It shall be unlawful for any person to not abide by the adopted and posted splash pad area regulations, including the following:

A. The splash pad is not supervised by the City, and all participation is at the participants' own risk.

B. The splash pad and water features may not be used for bathing any person or animal, or cleaning any personal property.

C. All children under the age of ten (10) must be supervised by an adult at least eighteen (18) years old.

D. Any child not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper on the splash pad.

E. Running, jumping and rough play is prohibited on the splash pad.

F. Climbing on or adjusting the water features is prohibited.

G. Bicycles, tricycles, skateboards, scooters, in-line skates, and any other similar equipment are prohibited on the splash pad.

H. Food, drinks and any glass items are prohibited on the splash pad.

I. Pets and animals are prohibited on the splash pad.

J. Soap, detergent, shampoo, bubbles, paint, cleaning substances of any kind, and any substance that could cause any drain or water feature to become clogged or backed up is prohibited on the splash pad.

K. Persons with diarrhea within the past fourteen (14) days, or persons with contagious skin conditions or open wounds are not permitted.

L. Swim shoes are recommended on the splash pad.

M. Any person who damages the splash pad or any water feature may be subject to civil or criminal citations and penalties. (Ord. 2018-004, 8-28-2018)