Chapter 12 · Public Property

Article 1. City Parks

Sections 12-101 to 12-115 · 15 sections

12-101 Park board; establishment.

There is hereby created a park board, consisting of three members, to be appointed by the mayor with the consent of the council for a term of one year each. Appointments shall be made at the first regular meeting of the governing body in May of each year.

(Code 1982, 14-101)

12-102 Same; duties.

The park board shall have supervision over the Stafford city park and shall be responsible for its maintenance and upkeep.

(Code 1982, 14-102)

12-103 City laws extended to park.

The laws of the city shall extend to and cover all city parks.

(Code 1996)

12-104 Police jurisdiction over parks.

The city shall have police regulations governing any public parks belonging to the city and the chief of police and law enforcement officers of the city shall have full power to enforce city laws governing city parks and shall maintain order therein.

(Code 1996)

12-105 Damaging park property.

It shall be unlawful for any person, except duly authorized city employees, to willfully or wantonly remove, injure, tarnish, deface or destroy any building, walk, bench, tree or improvement or property of any kind belonging to any park owned by the city.

(Code 1996)

12-106 Dangerous weapons not allowed.

(a)Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for any person to carry or have in his or her possession any firearm or dangerous weapon or to shoot or discharge the same within the limits of any city parks.

(b)The provisions of subsection (a) above shall not apply to duly authorized law enforcement officers in the performance of official duty.

(Code 1996)

12-107 Vehicle regulations.

(a)Motor vehicles, including any vehicle licensed to operate on public streets , roads and highways and motorbikes, go-carts, snowmobiles and other motorized off-the-road vehicles shall be operated in a safe and prudent manner at all times in park areas.

(b)Except as provided in subsection (d), it shall be unlawful for any person to park any motor vehicle in any area not designated for such purpose.

(c)Except as provided in subsection (d), it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motor vehicle within any city park except upon roads, drives and parking areas established by the city.

(d)Subsections (b) and (c) above shall not apply to authorized city employees while engaged in the maintenance and care of the park.

(e)It shall be unlawful to operate any such vehicle in any park area at a speed in excess of 20 m.p.h.

(Code 1996)

12-108 Hunting.

It shall be unlawful for any person to pursue, catch, trap, maim, kill, shoot or take any wildlife, either bird or animal, in any manner at any time while in any city park.

(Code 1996)

12-109 Fires.

It shall be unlawful for any person to build or kindle any fire in any city park except in the ovens, stoves, or grills provided for that purpose by the city, and such fire must be extinguished by the person, persons or parties starting such fire, immediately after use thereof.

(Code 1996)

12-110 Camping prohibited.

Overnight camping is hereby prohibited in city parks except where posted.

(Code 1996)

12-111 Sanitation.

All waste material, paper, trash, rubbish, tin cans, bottles, containers, garbage and refuse of any kind whatsoever shall be deposited in disposal containers provided for such purposes. No such waste or contaminating material shall be discarded otherwise. No sticks, stones, trash or other objects shall be thrown or discarded in or on any park lands, fountains, pools, drinking fountains, sanitary facilities, or other improvements.

(Code 1996)

12-112 Prohibition against alcoholic beverages and cereal malt beverages.

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to use, consume or have on the premises of any park or other city property within the city any alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage.

(Code 1996)

12-113 Preservation of natural state.

It shall be unlawful for any person, except duly authorized city employees, to take, injure, or disturb any live or dead tree, plant, shrub, or flower, or otherwise interfere with the natural state of city parks.

(Code 1996)

12-114 General regulations.

The city may post such rules and regulations, as are approved by the governing body, pertaining to the use of the city parks in a conspicuous place in each city park. Violations of these posted rules shall constitute a violation of this code.

(Code 1996)

12-115 Swimming pool regulations.

No person shall trespass and enter into the enclosed portion of the premises known as the Stafford municipal swimming pool when the premises are locked and unattended by the lessee thereof or his or her lawful employees.

(Code 1982, 14-103)