CHAPTER XII. PUBLIC PROPERTYCHAPTER XII. PUBLIC PROPERTY\ARTICLE 1. CITY PARKS

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

(Code 1994)

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 1994)

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 1994)

(a)   Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), 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.

(c)   Historical firearms as permitted by the city may be allowed for certain festivals and demonstrations.

(Code 1994)

(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 1994)

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 1994)

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 1994)

Overnight camping is hereby prohibited in city parks except as authorized by the governing body or chief of police.

(Code 1994)

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 1994)

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 1994)

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 1994)

(a)   Public parks within the city shall be open daily to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and shall be closed to the public at all other times

(b)   It shall be unlawful for any person (other than city personnel conducting city business therein) to occupy or be present in any park from 11:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. when the park is closed to the public, except as provided in subsection (c) hereof.

(c)   This section shall not apply:

(1)   To such persons who use that portion of Riverside Park commonly referred to as Kamp Siesta for camping, or to any person or person entering that portion of the park for this purpose or thereafter leaving that portion of the park;

(2)   To any person exhibiting animals, poultry, agricultural products, flowers, or other items or displays, or assisting therewith or otherwise participating in the conduct of the county fair or any carnival in connection therewith is being conducted on the premises, or during the day immediately preceding and the day immediately following the opening and closing day of the fair and carnival, nor to any other person or persons attending the fair or carnival during the hours the same are open to the public; and

(3)   To any group or member thereof authorized to use, camp within and occupy Riverside Park through approval of the Oswego Police Chief.

(Ord. 751, Secs. 1:3; Code 2013)