§ 35-1. City parks.
(a)
Hours of operation/exceptions.
(1)
The Lumberton City Park located at 1300 FM 421 shall be open to the public daily from 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 10:00 p.m., at which time all persons must vacate city park premises.
(2)
The Lumberton Community Park and Playground located at 100 North Village Creek Parkway shall be open to the public daily from 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 10:00 p.m.; however, the park will be closed on any day that school is in session while students are present at the location. Gates to the park will be locked during these times and the general public will not be allowed to use any of the park during these times. After 10:00 p.m. the park must be vacated.
(3)
Freedom Park located at 836 North Main Street shall be open to the public daily from 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 10:00 p.m., at which time all persons must vacate the city park premises.
(4)
Overnight parking, walking, sleeping, camping by individuals or groups is prohibited within the confines of all city parks, except upon special written permission being obtained by city management.
(5)
Any person found in any city park after posted hours of operation without special written permission shall be considered in violation of Texas Penal Code Section 30.05.
Exceptions include special events extending beyond hours that have been scheduled and approved by city management.
(b)
Picnic.
(1)
No person shall picnic or lunch in places other than those designated for that purpose.
(2)
No person shall violate the regulations and use of the picnic tables and benches, which follows generally the rule "first come, first served."
(3)
No person shall leave a picnic area before the grill/fire is completely extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers, cans, bottles, garbage, and other refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided.
(4)
It is unlawful to dispose of any household garbage within any city park.
(c)
Games/recreation. The city does not assume any responsibility for any accidents or injuries that may occur at any of the city parks. Persons who desire to play any type of sport or activities do so at their own risk. Persons who do play any type of sport or activities must respect others in the park and their safety. Any damage caused by any person playing any type of sport or activities is the responsibility of the person who caused that damage to occur.
(d)
Pond or streams.
(1)
It is unlawful to swim or bathe in any waters or waterways in or adjacent to any park.
(2)
No type of boat or flotation device is allowed in water or waterways.
(3)
Fishing is allowed from bank only, and limits are to be set by guidelines of State of Texas.
(4)
A fishing license is only necessary when state law requires.
(e)
Alcohol/firearms.
(1)
It is prohibited to carry, possess, or drink any alcoholic liquor or beverage in any city park.
(2)
No person shall enter or remain within any park while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or illicit drugs.
(3)
It is prohibited to carry, possess, or discharge any firearm, air gun, pellet gun, BB gun, or bow and arrow within any city park.
(4)
There shall be no hunting, discharging of firearms, or other noise making devices whatsoever in any city park.
(5)
It is prohibited to injure, disturb, or kill any bird or animal in any city park.
(f)
Fire. It is prohibited to have an open fire in any city park. Fires in barbeque pits or grills are allowed, however caution should be taken in disposing of hot coals. It is prohibited to dump coals on any roots.
(g)
Animals.
(1)
It is prohibited to bring or harbor any horse or any type of livestock in any city park without permission from city management.
(2)
It is unlawful to permit any pets to be in any park unless such is on a leash not more than six feet long.
(3)
No animals are allowed in the playground areas of any of the parks.
(4)
Owners are responsible for picking up after their pets.
(h)
Regulations concerning use of city parks. It shall be unlawful for any person using any city park to either perform or permit to be performed any of the following acts:
(1)
It is prohibited to willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, move or remove any signs, tamper with any building, fence, benches, tables, gateway, walls, or other structure within any city park.
(2)
It is prohibited to climb or get upon any tree, fence, gateway, or railing within any city park, or to use any structure within any park for other that the purpose for which it is intended, and in accordance with the regulations applying thereto.
(3)
It is prohibited to lie down upon, or to sleep upon, or overturn or damage any seat, bench, bridge, railing, or floor within any park.
(4)
It is prohibited to drop, throw, scatter, or leave upon any part of any city park any type of litter, except into the receptacles provided for such purpose.
(5)
Drive or park any vehicles or motorcycles except on street, driveway, or parking lot of any city park; or to park or leave any such vehicle in any place other than one established for public parking.
(6)
It is prohibited to drive or propel any motor vehicle at a greater speed than that posted in park areas, or to drive or propel any vehicle except in established driveways and in the direction indicated by signs, or to park any vehicle except in areas provided.
(7)
It is prohibited to have any off-road or unlicensed vehicle in any city park at any time, unless at an approved event that has been endorsed by the City of Lumberton.
(8)
Any vehicle left in any city park after hours is presumed to be abandoned and subject to being towed at the owners' expense.
(9)
No boisterous, indecent, or vulgar language will be tolerated, nor any public nuisance shall be permitted.
(10)
No individuals or groups will be permitted to purchase or sell any food, drinks, or novelties without proper permitting by the city.
(i)
Penalty for violation. Person violating the above rules shall be subject to arrest, and, upon conviction, shall be subject to appropriate fine or prison sentence.
(Ord. No. 13-1203, 5-3-2013)