Cascade Township Park Ordinance

SECTION 1. PARK ACTIVITIES

SECTION 2. PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY AND NATURAL FEATURES

SECTION 3. HUNTING, FISHING AND MOLESTING WILDLIFE
 

SECTION 4. GENERAL CONDUCT

SECTION 5. ANIMAL CONTROL

SECTION 6. TRAFFIC CONTROL

SECTION 7. GENERAL REGULATIONS

SECTION 8. PARK CLOSINGS

SECTION 9. VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE AND PENALTIES
 

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE

CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP
ORDINANCE NO. 13 OF 2002


AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 7/1984 (AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 3/1987 AND ORDINANCE NO.1/1994) TO PROVIDE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP PARK AND PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF.
CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP PARK 3810 Thornapple River Dr. ("The Park")
 

SECTION I. PARK ACTIVITIES

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.
 

SECTION 2. PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY AND NATURAL FEATURES

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.
 

SECTION 3. HUNTING, FISHING AND MOLESTING WILDLIFE

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. Except as provided by law, no person shall possess or discharge any firearms, fireworks, explosive substances or air rifles within the park without a specific permit from the Township.
(This Section amended by Ordinance 9 of 2010)
 

SECTION 4. GENERAL CONDUCT

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.

E. No person shall enter a restroom set apart for the opposite sex.
 

SECTION 5. ANIMAL CONTROL

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.

B. The riding of horses or other animals is prohibited.
 

SECTION 6. TRAFFIC CONTROL

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.
 

SECTION 7. GENERAL REGULATIONS

A. CAMPING

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

B. FIRE

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

1. Use of the tennis courts are on a first come first serve basis. The party using the court shall only be permitted one hour’s use if others are waiting for the courts.
2. In-line skates, (e.g. Rollerblades) roller skates, roller blades, skate boards and other similar devices are prohibited from use on the tennis court surfaces.

G. GOLF

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

SECTION 8. PARK CLOSINGS

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.
 

SECTION 9. VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE AND PENALTIES

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.
 

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE

A. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon the publication hereof.
The foregoing Ordinance was offered by Board Member Parrish, supported by Board Member Goodyke. The roll call vote being as follows:

YEAS: Timmons, Goodyke, Julien, Kleinheksel, Jones, Parrish
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Carpenter

_________________________

Marlene Kleinheksel
Cascade Charter Township Clerk
 

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of an Ordinance adopted at a Regular Meeting of the Cascade Charter Township Board on the 24th day of July, 2002.

_________________________
Marlene Kleinheksel
Cascade Charter Township Clerk