Cascade Township Park Ordinance

A. Both active and passive recreational activities are permitted in the parks within designated areas. This shall include tennis in the tennis courts only, field sports in the ball fields area; playground activities in the playground area; picnics and gatherings in the pavilion areas, hiking and other events as approved or specifically permitted by the Township Park and Recreation Committee.

B. The Committee may designate from time to time portions of the park for specific uses. Specific uses may be prohibited by the Committee. Notices of prohibited uses shall be posted.

C. Certain facilities within the park, such as the ball fields, pavilion, tennis courts and picnic tables may be reserved for use by individuals or organizations by permit from Cascade Township ("Township"). Such actions shall be subject to fee and other specific rules and regulations adopted by the Township. These facilities, when reserved, are closed to the general public.

A. No person shall injure, deface, disturb or befoul any part of the Park nor any building, sign, equipment or other property found therein; nor shall any tree, shrub, rock or other mineral be removed, injured or destroyed.

B. No person shall deposit, permit or suffer to be deposited, in any part of any park, any garbage, ashes, sewage, refuse, waste or other noxious material, otherwise than in receptacles or pits provided for such purposes; nor dump any earth within the Park without specific written permit from the Township Board.

A. No person within the confines of any Park, unless authorized by written permit of the Township Board, shall hunt, pursue with dogs, trap or in any other way molest any wild bird or animal found within the confines of the Park, or therein rob or molest any bird nest or take the eggs of any bird. No person shall fish in any waters in the Park in any manner.  No person, other than a police officer or other person specifically authorized by law to do so, shall discharge a firearm in the park.

B. No person except a police officer, Sheriff or other person authorized by state law, shall carry firearms of any description, or air rifle, slingshot or missile throwing device within the Park, or discharge any firearms, fireworks or explosive substances, or air rifle therein without specific permit from the Township.

(This Section amended by Ordinance 14 of 2003)

A. No person shall, either by work or act, indulge in any noisy, boisterous, disorderly or indecent conduct, or in any manner disturb the peace or good order of the Community within the Park; nor shall any person play at games of chance, or do any indecent, lascivious, lewd or improper act therein.

B. No person intoxicated by alcohol or under the influence of alcohol, narcotic drugs or opiates shall enter or remain within the Park. Nor shall any person bring into the park any alcohol, narcotic drugs or opiates.

C. No person shall remain within the a Park who does not abide by conditions adopted and posted by the Township for the preservation of good order and the protection of property within the Park; and no person shall remain within the a Park who does not abide by the instructions and directions of duly authorized police officers or agents of the Township in the lawful performance of their duties. Any person directed by a police officer or agent of the Township to leave the Park shall do so promptly and peaceably. No person shall resist or obstruct, or be abusive of or address in a profane or obscene manner, any police officer or agent of the Township.

D. The use of loud speakers, public address systems, or sound amplifying equipment is prohibited without a permit. Excessively loud radios, televisions or similar deices are also prohibited.

A. All dogs shall be controlled and on a chain or retractable leash not exceeding twenty (20) feet in length. Cats shall also be under direct control and leash. No controlled animal shall be destructive to other birds and animals.

A. No persons shall drive, propel or cause to be driven, along or over any road within the Park, any vehicle at a rate of speed greater than 15 mph; nor shall any motor vehicle be driven in a reckless manner or in a manner to endanger the life, limb or property of pedestrians, or the drivers or occupants of other vehicles, or any other person.

B. No vehicle, including off-road type vehicles, shall be driven in the park except upon roads or trails for that purpose.

C. No person shall park or store any car, motorcycle, bicycle, wagon or other vehicle within the Park, except in places designated by the Township for such purposes.

D. The State laws relating to lights on vehicles shall apply to vehicles within the Park, including off-road vehicles.

No person shall establish or maintain any camp or other temporary lodging place in the park, without specific written permit from the Township.

No person shall start a fire in the park, except small fires for cooking purposes in designated places unless otherwise provided by the Township Board. All fires shall be put out by the person or persons starting or using the same before leaving the immediate vicinity of the fire.

C. COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES

No person shall sell or offer for sale any article, thing, privilege or service within the Park without a permit from the Township and no person shall do any begging, peddling or soliciting therein. Further, no person shall expose, distribute or place any sign, advertisement, circular, notice or statement, or display any banner, emblem or design, within the Park, without specific permit from the Township.

D. SWIMMING/ICE SKATING

Swimming in the park pond is prohibited. Ice skating is permitted at one’s own risk.

E. PICNIC TABLES

The moving of picnic tables, grills and other pieces of park equipment is prohibited unless specifically approved by park personnel.

F. TENNIS COURTS

G. GOLF

The use of the park for the hitting of golf balls is prohibited.

A. The Parks shall close at dark, but no later than 10:00 pm. All Park users must leave at closing time unless a written permit for later hours has been issued by the Township. Upon the park’s so closing, it shall be unlawful for anyone to enter upon or occupy the parks without the said permit.

B. The Park, or portion thereof, may be closed entirely or closed to certain uses during any specified period of time by officers of the Township where it is determined that the physical condition of the Park or portion thereof is such that intended use of the park or portion thereof would cause damage and deterioration to the park or portion thereof in a degree greater than ordinary park wear and tear, or that the intended use of the park or portion thereof would create a health hazard or safety hazard to the proposed user or other citizens. During such period of time as the park or portions thereof are closed, these closings shall be prominently posted and it shall be unlawful for anyone to enter upon or occupy such park or portions thereof contrary to the posted regulations.

A. Any person who shall violate any provision of this Ordinance shall be guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed $500.00 and costs and/or imprisonment in Kent County Jail for a period not to exceed 90 days.