Susquehanna Township: Parks and Recreation

§ 101. Definitions. As used in this Part, the following term shall have the meaning indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

PARK OR PARK – unless specifically limited, shall be deemed to include all parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, tennis courts, beaches, recreation structures and facilities, and also entrances and approaches thereto, and all other land or property or structures under its jurisdiction now or hereafter owned or acquired by the Township of Susquehanna for parks and recreation purposes.

PERSON – any natural person, corporation, organization of persons, company, association or partnership.

RULES AND REGULATIONS – any rules and regulations hereby or hereafter promulgated.
(Ord. 89-16, 11/21/1989)

§ 102. Park Hours. All parks shall be opened daily to the public at such hours as the Board of Commissioners may from time to time designate, but in no event shall any person be permitted to be in attendance in any park between sunset and sunrise, *except where lighted facilities allow for extended use. On such lighted facilities no person shall be permitted in attendance after 11:00 p.m. until sunrise, unless special permission be granted by the Board of Commissioners (Ord. 03-10-16, 8/14/2003)

§ 103. Prohibited Conduct. No person in attendance at a park shall:

1. Injure, deface, remove, cut or damage any of the trees, plants, shrubs, turf,
Buildings, structures, signs or fixtures, or any other property of the Township of Susquehanna located within the park.

2. Litter any area of the park with garbage, paper, bottles, cans or other waste materials; nor
dispose of the same in any way except in receptacles designated for such purpose.

3. Kindle or maintain any fire in the park except in fireplaces or areas specially designated for that purpose.

4. Remove any bench, seat, table or other appliance without permission.

5. Injure, deface, destroy or remove any notice, rule or regulation posted at any place within the park; nor shall any notice or placard be posted within the park other than by authority of said Board of Commissioners of the Township of Susquehanna.

6. Set up any booth, table or stand for the sale of any article or service what so ever within the limits of the park; or distribute, sell, service or rent any services or commodity or solicit for any purpose without permission of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Susquehanna.

7. Operate, stop or park any vehicle, bicycle or other means of conveyance except in areas where permitted or designated; or operate the same in a reckless or negligent manner or in excess of any posted speed limit or in such a manner as to become a nuisance to other area users.

8. Operate commercial vehicles, unless providing authorized services.

9. Bring onto the premises, possess or consume any alcoholic beverage or illegal drugs of any kind; no person shall enter the park in an intoxicated state or otherwise be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

10. Carry or discharge any firearms, slingshots, firecrackers, fireworks, or other missile propelling instruments or explosives or arrows, or other dangerous weapons which have such properties as to cause annoyance or injury to any person or property, unless permission has been granted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Susquehanna in designated areas; police officers in the performance of their duties will be exempt from these provisions.

11. Play ball, swim, golf, pitch horse shoes, engage in archery, camp, or launch, dock or land any boat, engage in finding buried objects with special detectors, or participate in any other form of recreation, sporting endeavor or pastime except in those areas which may be designated from time to time for that purpose.

12. Disrobe or change clothing except in buildings or facilities made available for that purpose.

13. Disturb the peace by any conduct so as to annoy any other person using the park for recreational purposes.

14. Operate a snowmobile, mini-bike, motorcycle, or any vehicle, recreational or otherwise, except on designated roads, trails, or areas set aside for their use.

15. Use threatening, abusive, insulting, profane or obscene language or words.

16. Commit any disorderly or immoral acts.

17. Hold any public meeting or rally with more than five (5) persons or engage in any marching or driving as members of a military, political or other organization without permission of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Susquehanna, which requires a statement of information, including the name of the organization, its purpose, number of persons expected to be invited, expected duration and name(s) of person(s) in charge.

18. Disobey a proper order of a police office or disobey or disregard or fail to comply with any rule or regulation, warning, prohibition, instruction or direction given by an authorized person and posted or displayed by sign, notice, bulletin, card, poster, or when notified or informed as to its existence by an authorized person.

19. Hunt for, capture or kill, or attempt to capture or kill, or aid or assist in the capturing or killing, in any manner, any wild bird or wild animal of any description, either game or otherwise, and to that end, it is unlawful for any person to carry onto or possess in any park, a shotgun or rifle or pistol or firearm of any make or kind unless specific permission is granted for a designated area by authority of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Susquehanna.

20. Allow pets to run at large out of control.
(Ord. 89–16, 11/12/1989)

§ 104. Fishing. All laws pertaining to fishing in the Commonwealth shall apply to fishing in parks and recreation areas, and provisions thereof are hereby incorporated by reference.(Ord. 89–16, 11/21/1989)

§ 105. Reservation for Specific Uses. The use of all parks shall be on a first come first served basis unless otherwise reserved:

A. by annual permission granted for the scheduling of various league games, etc;

B. for school or college athletic games, practice, contests, or exhibitions;

C. for regularly scheduled school district or municipal recreation programs;

D. by permission granted for a specific requested use.

(Ord. 89–16, 11/21/1989

§ 106. Authorization to Promulgate Additional Rules. The Recreation Advisory Committee is authorized to establish additional rules and regulations as deemed necessary with approval of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Susquehanna. ( Ord. 89-16, 11/21/1989)

§ 107. Authority to Close Areas. Recreation facilities which become hazardous for public use due to weather, water, fire or unforeseeable conditions may be closed. (Ord. 89-16, 11/21/1989)

§ 108. Enforcement. The police officers of the Township of Susquehanna are charged with enforcement of the provisions of this Part (and the rules and regulations promulgated). (Ord. 89-16, 11/21/1989)

§ 109. Penalties. Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof be sentenced to pay a fine not more than six hundred dollars ($600.00) and in default of payment, to imprisonment for a term not to exceed thirty (30) days. (Ord. 89-16, 11/21/1989)