Sierra Madre Municipal Code Ch. 12.24 Public Parks and Recreation Centers

The terms "public parks," "recreation centers" or "public places" as used in this chapter shall include every park, playground, public recreation facility and such other public places as are owned or operated by the city for the general benefit of the public recreation or park or playground use.

(Prior code § 6600)

It is unlawful for any person to commit or permit any of the hereinafter specified acts in any public park or recreation center in the city.

A. To pick, dig, remove, destroy, injure, mutilate or cut any tree, plant, shrub, bloom or flower, or any portion thereof growing therein, nor shall any person attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant; to cut, break, deface, defile or injure any building, monument, sign, fence, bench, equipment or property therein; to cut or remove any wood, turf, grass, soil, rock, sand or gravel; in any way to injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area;

B. To climb any tree, or to walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railings, fences or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes;

C. To remain, stay or loiter in any park, with the exception of Sierra Vista Park and Mt. Wilson Trail Park, between the hours of eleven p.m. and five a.m. the following date, or to camp or lodge herein, without a written permit from the community services commission, or its authorized representative. The same shall apply to Sierra Vista Park, located at 611 East Sierra Madre Blvd. and Mt. Wilson Trail Park located at 189 East Mira Monte Avenue between the hours of ten p.m. to six a.m.;

D. To swim, bathe, wade in or pollute the water of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, or commit any nuisance in or near such water or in any manner pollute the same;

E. To let loose any animal or fowl of any kind; provided, that this shall not apply to animals when led by a leash or chain not more than six feet long, and under full control of its owner or custodian, with the exception of specifically designated areas in Sierra Vista Park approved by the community services commission and city council;

F. To allow a horse to enter or remain in any part of any park except the areas therein designated and posted for that purpose.

(Ord. 1169 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1170 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1132 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1083 § 1 (part), 1992; prior code § 6601)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)

The hours of operation of the Sierra Vista Park lights may not exceed park hours established in Section 12.24.020(C), except as otherwise approved by the community services commission.

(Ord. 1132 § 2, 1996)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)

It is unlawful for any person to commit or permit any of the hereinafter specified acts in any public park or recreation center in the city:

A. To light, maintain or attempt to light any fire, except in a stove, fire circle or other place provided for that purpose without having procured a written permit from the community services commission or its authorized representative;

B. To throw upon, along or across any public highway, driveway or footpath, or any areas other than those set apart for such forms of recreation when so designated and posted any missile capable of causing personal injury or damage to personal property;

C. To use, carry or process any archery equipment or bows or arrows except on a designated archery range for target practice but then only under such rules and regulations as shall be posted by the community services commission.

(Ord. 1083 § 1 (part), 1992; prior code § 6602)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)

It is unlawful for any person to commit or permit any of the hereinafter specified acts in any public park or recreation center in the city:

A. To 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 and other city ordinances;

B. To drive a vehicle in any park at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent, having due regard for the traffic on, and the surface and width of, roadway, and in any event at a speed in excess of ten miles per hour;

C. To ride or drive any cycle or motor vehicle elsewhere than on roads, trails or driveways, provided for that purpose;

D. To park or stand a cycle or vehicle in other than a designated parking area, and such use shall be in accordance with posted directions thereat;

E. To 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;

F. The recreation director, or other authorized representative of the community services commission, or police, may close or barricade any traffic and all park roads, driveways or parking areas at any time or direct traffic thereon as may be necessary.

(Prior code § 6603)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)

It is unlawful for any person to commit or permit any of the hereinafter specified acts in any public park or recreation center in the city:

A. To engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, profane or indecent language, or engage in any disorderly conduct, or behavior tending to a breach of the public peace;

B. To hold, conduct or address any assemblage, meeting or gathering for the purpose of discussing, expounding or advocating or opposing the principles, creeds or qualities of any race, political party, partisan group, organization or religious denomination or sect, except with written permission of the community services commission;

C. To solicit in any manner or for any purpose therein, or offer for sale any goods, wares or merchandise, or pass out and distribute, post, place or erect any sign, handbill, circular, advertising matter or literature without written permission granted by the community services commission;

D. To engage in commercial activities of any nature without written permission granted by the community services commission;

E. To solicit alms or donations for charitable or religious purpose without a written permit granted by the parks and recreation commission.

(Ord. 1083 § 1 (part), 1992; prior code § 6604)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.24.050, the Sierra Madre Community Recreation Center, Memorial Park [and the] Hart Park House, may, by permit, be utilized for the assemblage of persons where alcoholic beverages are dispensed and consumed.

(Ord. 983 § 1, 1981: prior code § 6605)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)

Upon approval of the community services commission, the city administrator may issue permits to responsible local nonprofit organizations and special events for such assemblages in the Community Recreation Center, Memorial Park and the Hart Park House, subject to such reasonable conditions as may be necessary, in his opinion, to preserve order and to protect public property. Such conditions shall, in all cases, include the following:

A. The permit shall be valid between eleven thirty a.m. and one a.m. of the following morning only; specific times subject to approval by the city administrator.

B. The permit shall require the permittee to accept and adhere to all the provisions of the then current facility use policy.

C. The permit may require that the permittee, at its own expense, provide a city off-duty uniformed officer on duty at all times for purposes of noise and traffic control. The number of officers to be established by the city administrator.

D. The permit shall require the maximum occupancy standards established by the building department be strictly observed.

E. The permit shall require strict compliance with all laws and regulations of the state pertaining to the dispensing and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

F. The assemblage shall be of a closed or private nature and shall not be open to the public.

G. The permit shall not be issued on Sundays except during the hour of midnight until one a.m.

H. No such permit shall be issued for any period during which the Community Recreation Center, Memorial Park, or Hart Park House is being used for governmental purposes or activities for persons under twenty-one years of age.

I. No such permit shall be issued where the use of such permit would directly conflict with regularly scheduled activities in the facilities or adjoining park area.

(Ord. 983 § 2, 1981; prior code § 6606)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)

A. "Local organization" means an organization which has conducted at least bimonthly meetings or activities within the city for a period of at least one year prior to the date of application, and which has a permanent address or situs within the city.

B. "Nonprofit organization" means an organization organized or incorporated for educational, civic, charitable, religious or cultural purposes, having a bona fide membership, when proceeds, if any, arising from its activities are used for the purposes of such organization and may not be used for the individual benefit of the membership of such organization.

C. "Special events" shall include receptions, meetings and gatherings.

(Ord. 983 § 3, 1981; prior code § 6607)

The basis on which the city council shall approve or disapprove such permits is a finding of whether the same would or would not be contrary to the public welfare. Any applicant shall be entitled to a hearing on its application upon request.

(Prior code § 6608)

It is unlawful for any person to commit or permit any of the hereinafter specified acts in any public park or recreation center in the city:

A. Any section or part of any parks may be declared closed to the public by the community services commission or its authorized representative 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 shall be found reasonably necessary.

B. A written permit from the community services commission or its authorized representative shall be required to:

1. Occupy any part of any park in a group or as part of a group to the exclusion of the public or for any activity interfering with public enjoyment of the park;

2. Occupy, or carry on any activities in any part of any park when other provisions of this chapter require such a permit.

C. The community services commission may from time to time by resolution designate certain areas of parks restricted to certain uses, and when such areas are posted therefor, it is unlawful for any person to use the area for any other than the designated purpose without a written permit.

D. A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as though the same were inserted in the premises.

E. It is unlawful:

1. To 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;

2. To fail to produce and exhibit any permit from the community services commission for its authorized representative such person 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;

3. To disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area, or participating in any activity, under the authority of a permit;

4. Use any portion of a public park or recreation facility for personal profit, private business or enterprise or to provide for any sale or service to others without specific written permission and authorization from the community services commission or its authorized representative;

5. Bounce houses and/or other inflatable attractions are restricted to use in Memorial and Sierra Vista Parks by permit only. These items are prohibited for use in Bailey Canyon and Mt. Wilson Trail Park.

(Ord. 1191 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1164 § 1, 1999; prior code § 6609)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1435, § 7, adopted Oct. 27, 2020, repealed former § 12,24,101, which pertained to regulation of skate park, and derived from Ord. 1246, § 1, adopted in 2006.

A. The recreation director and/or any other authorized representative of the community services commission shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this chapter.

B. The recreation director and/or any other authorized representative of the community services commission, and the police, shall have the authority to seize from the park any person acting in violation of this chapter, and to seize and confiscate any property, thing or device in the park, or used, in violation of this chapter.

(Prior code § 6610)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)

Any person aggrieved by any decision of the recreation director may, within fifteen days after such decision, appeal the same in writing to the community services commission; and any person dissatisfied with a decision of such commission may, within fifteen days after such decision, appeal the same in writing to the city council. The decision of the city council shall be final. Each decision by the director or commission shall be final upon the aggrieved person until reversed.

(Prior code § 6611)

(Ord. No. 1435, § 7, 10-27-20)