PUBLIC PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND BEACHES
Article I. Parks
Sec. 18-1. Supervision
Sec. 18-2. Director of Public Works
Sec. 18-3. Enforcement of ordinances
Sec. 18-4. Regulations
Sec. 18-5. Amusement for gain
Sec. 18-6. Assemblies
Sec. 18-7. Definitions
Article II. Regulations Concerning Use of City Parks
Sec. 18-8. Requirements concerning use of grounds and facilities
Sec. 18-9. Prohibited acts
Sec. 18-10. Hours for use
Sec. 18-11. Other regulations
Sec. 18-12. Residence
Sec. 18-13. Rates
Sec. 18-14. Penalties
Article III. Special Conditions Governing Use
Sec. 18-15. Riverside Park
Sec. 18-16. Spiggot Falls Riverwalk Park
Sec. 18-17 Tenney Street Park
Sec. 18-18 Fees for Park and Cemetery Usage
Sec. 18-19 Running Track-Pop Warner Field at Stadium Complex
CHAPTER 18 - PUBLIC PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND BEACHES
All parks in the City shall be operated and maintained under the supervision of the Director of Public Works.
Section 18-2. Director of Public Works
The Director of Public Works shall see to the operation and maintenance of the City parks, and he shall perform his duties subject to the supervision of the Mayor.
Section 18-3. Enforcement of Ordinances
The Director of Public Works shall see to the enforcement of all ordinances relating to the parks. He shall enforce all rules relating to the use of City owned parks.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any regulation governing conduct in the City parks which have been promulgated by the Director and the Mayor, and approved by the City Council.
Section 18-5. Amusement for Gain
No amusement for gain or for which a charge is made can be conducted in a park without the consent of the Mayor, and such amusement must be conducted in accordance with any ordinance pertaining thereto.
No person shall engage in, participate in, aid, form or organize any assembly or group of people or make any speeches, or conduct any musical program or festivities, in any park, unless such permit has been obtained from the Mayor, and unless such permit is carried by the person heading or leading such activity; provided, however, that the provisions hereof shall not apply to students' work when constituting a part of their educational activities and under the immediate direction and supervision of the proper school authorities; nor to any governmental agency within the scope of its functions.
Applications for a park permit shall be filed with the Mayor not less than twenty days before the date on which it is proposed to conduct any such activity. Such application shall be sworn to and shall state:
(a) the name of the person or organization wishing to conduct such activity;
(b) if the activity is proposed to be conducted for, on behalf of, or by an organization, the name, address, and telephone number of the headquarters of the organization, and of the authorized and responsible head of such organization;
(c) the name, address and telephone number of the person who will be the chairman of such activity and who will be responsible for its conduct;
(d) the name, address and telephone number of the person or organization to whom the permit is desired to be issued;
(e) the date when such activity is to be conducted;
(f) the park or portion thereof for which such permit is desired;
(g) an estimate of the anticipated attendance; and
(h) the hour when such activity will start and terminate.
The Mayor shall grant and issue such park permit if:
(a) the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park;
(b) the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation;
(c) the facilities desired have not been reserved for other use at the day and hour required in the application;
(d) the conduct of such activity will not substantially interrupt the safe and orderly movement of traffic;
(e) the conduct of such activity will not require the diversion of so great a number of police officers to the City to properly police such activity and the areas contiguous thereto, as to prevent normal police protection to the City;
(f) the conduct of such activity is not reasonably likely to cause injury to persons or property, incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct; and
(g) such activity is not to be held for the sole purpose of advertising any product goods, or event, and is not designed to be held purely for private profit.
Each park permit shall state the following:
(a) date of such activity;
(b) park or portion thereof to be used; and
(c) hour when such activity will start and terminate.
For the purpose of this ordinance, the term "Park" shall mean and include parks, playgrounds and beaches owned by the municipality.
Article II. Regulations Concerning Use of City Parks.
Section 18-8. Requirements Concerning Use of Grounds and Facilities
Each person, firm or corporation using the public parks and grounds shall clean up all debris, extinguish all fires when such fires are permitted, and leave the premises in good order, and the facilities in a neat and sanitary condition.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation using such parks to either perform or permit to be performed any of the following acts:
(a) willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, or displace or remove, any building, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, paving or paving material, waterlines, or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts, or other boundary markers, or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.
(b) throw, discharge, or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, or other body of water in or adjacent to any park or any tributary, stream, storm sewer, or drain flowing into such waters, any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said waters.
(c) bring in or dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage, or refuse; or other trash. No such refuse or trash shall be placed in any waters in or contiguous to any park, or left anywhere on the grounds thereof, but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided; where receptacles are not so provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence, and properly disposed of elsewhere.
(d) disturb the peace, or use any profane, obscene or blasphemous language.
(e) endanger the safety of any person by any conduct or act.
(f) commit any assault, battery, or engage in fighting.
(g) carry, possess, or drink any alcoholic liquor in any park.
(h) violate any rule for the use of the park, made or approved by the Mayor and Director of Public Works.
(i) prevent any person from using the park, or any of its facilities, or interfere with such use in compliance with this ordinance and the rules applicable to such use.
(j) swim, bathe, or wade in any waters or waterways in or adjacent to any park, except in such waters and at such places as are provided therefore, and in compliance with such regulations as are herein set forth or may hereafter be adopted.
(k) dress or undress on any beach, or in any vehicle, toilet or other place, except in such bathing houses or structures as may be provided for that purpose.
(l) No parent, guardian or other adult person in the custody or care of a minor under the age of twelve years shall permit such child to utilize the City beach at Forest Lake unattended. Any officer or employee of the City, upon discovering an unattended child under the age of twelve years, shall contact the parent, guardian or adult custodian of such child and such child shall be removed by said individual from the City beach area.
(Amended by Ord. #380, Eff. June 6th, 1990)
The parks shall be open weekends from Memorial Day to October first of any year during the hours of 10:00 A.M. and sunset and on weekdays during the summer as may be determined by the Director of Public Works. It shall be unlawful for any person, or persons (other than City personnel conducting City business therein) to occupy or be present in said parks during any hours in which the park is not open to the public.
Any section or part of the parks may be declared closed to the public by the Director of Public Works at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular or stated intervals.
Hours for public swimming shall be from 10:00 A.M. until sunset on the days that the beach area is open; except that the Director of Public Works may close the swimming area during inclement weather, where unsanitary water conditions exist, or for other reasons affecting the public health, convenience or safety.
The City Forest beach area shall be open for use, in addition to any other operation, on weekends, from Memorial Day through the end of June in any given year.
(Amended by Ord. #515, Effective August 31st, 1994)
Section 18-11. Other Regulations
(a) Sales - It shall be unlawful for any person other than employees or officials of the municipality or those granted permission by the Mayor, to vend, sell, peddle or offer for sale any commodity or article within the park.
(b) Animals - It shall be unlawful to bring any animal into the City Forest area, provided, however, that leashed dogs are permitted in the Forest Lake Park excepting for the swimming area and the boat ramp. Provided further, that horses may be allowed in the Forest Lake Park provided that they are only used on the horse trails at said park.(c) The Director of Public Works, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 45 of the General Laws and other applicable sections, may make any other regulations as shall benefit and protect the municipal parks.
(d) The Mayor shall not submit to the City Council any proposed use and/ or restriction of the bandstand at the Raymond Martin Park unless and until they shall have been reviewed for comment by the Methuen Cultural Council.
(Amended by Ord. #357, Eff. Nov. 15th, 1989; as further amended by Ord. #446, Eff. September 6th, 1992)
Admission in the City Forest and such other areas designated and posted by the Mayor, pursuant to Section 3-2 (g) of the Methuen Home Rule Charter, shall be limited to residents of the City of Methuen.
(1983 Ord. as amended by Ord. #143, Eff. Oct. 19th, 1983)
The rates for permit fees into the City Forest area shall be set and established by the Mayor as he may from time to time deem appropriate.
Any person who violates any provision of this ordinance or any condition of a permit issued pursuant to it shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). Provided, however, that violations of Section 18-9, sub-sections (a), (b) and (c) shall be punished at a fine of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00). Each day or portion thereof during which a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense; if more than one, each condition violated shall constitute a separate offense. This ordinance may be enforced by a City Police Officer.
Article III. Special Conditions Governing Use
(a) No person shall rollerblade, ride a bicycle or skateboard in or on Riverside Park, nor shall any person ignite, operate or use an open fire, including gas grills, hibachis or the like; nor shall any animals, leashed or unleashed, be allowed on said park.
Rules and regulations governing City parks and playgrounds shall be uniform throughout the City of Methuen.
(b) The Department of Public Works shall cause to be posted and maintained a suitable sign prohibiting such use.
(c) Any person violating this ordinance shall be fined according to the provisions of Chapter 18, Section 18-14 of the Methuen Municipal Code.
(d) Fees for Wedding Ceremonies in Parks.
A fee of $100.00 for wedding ceremonies at Riverside Park with a stipulation that the park is to be cleaned after its use.
Section 18-16. Spiggot Falls Riverwalk Park
(a) No person shall rollerblade, ride a bicycle or skate board in or on Spiggot Falls Riverwalk Park, nor shall any person ignite, operate or use an open fire, including gas grills, hibachis or the like; nor shall any animals, leashed or unleashed, be allowed in said park.
Rules and regulations governing City parks and playgrounds shall be uniform throughout the City of Methuen.
(b) The Department of Public Works shall cause to be posted a suitable sign prohibiting such use.
(c) Any person violating this ordinance shall be fined according to the provisions of Chapter 18, Section 18-14 of the Methuen Municipal Code.
(d) Fees for Wedding Ceremonies in Parks.
A fee of $100.00 for wedding ceremonies at Riverwalk Park with a stipulation that the park is to be cleaned after its use.
(Ord. #347, Eff. Sept. 5th, 1989; as amended by Ord. #383, Eff. July 6th, 1990; as amended by Ord. #389, Eff. Aug. 1st, 1990; as amended by Ord. #469, Eff. May 5th, 1993; as further amended by Ord. #490, Eff. September 7th, 1993; as further amended by Ord. #647, Eff. June 3rd, 1998; as further amended by Ord. #650, Eff. July 1st, 1998; as further amended by Ord. #755, Eff. July 1st, 2003)
Section 18-17. Tenney Street Park
(a) No person shall allow or permit their dog whether leased or unleashed upon the Tenney Street Park.
(b) The Department of Public Works shall post a sign at the entrance to the Tenney Street Park advising persons of the prohibition on bringing or allowing their dogs in the park.
(c) Any person violating this section shall be fined according to the provisions of Chapter 18, Section 18-14.
(Ord. #751, Eff. May 7th, 2003)
Section 18-18. Fees for Park and Cemetery Usage.
For fees for park and cemetery usage, see Chapter 8.
(Ord. #755, eff. July 1st, 2003)
Section 18-19. Running Track Facility-Pop Warner Field at Stadium Complex.
(a) No person shall use roller blades, roller-skates, skate-boards, bicycles, tricycles, on the Running Track surface located at the Pop Warner Field at the Stadium Complex, nor shall any person use any other self-propelled or motorized recreational wheeled apparatus on said track surface.
The rules and regulations regarding City parks and playgrounds shall be uniform throughout the City of Methuen.
(b) The Department of Public Works shall cause to be posted a suitable signs prohibiting the aforementioned uses.
(c) Any person violating this ordinance shall be fined according to the provisions of Chapter 18, Section 18-14 of the Methuen Municipal Code.
(Ord. #807, Eff. Immediately, 2006)