Park Ordinances

ORDINANCE NO. 16-03-01

REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCE
OF THE
BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT, BOONE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

WHEREAS, The BelvidereTownship Park District is a municipal corporation duly organized under an act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois entitled, “An Act to Provide for the Organization of Park Districts and the Transfer of Submerged Lands to Those Bordering on Navigable Bodies of Water”, amended by act approved May 17, 1951.

WHEREAS, it is deemed desirable to collect the various ordinances and regulations to provide a single instrument for the government of the business operation of the Park District, the use of the parks and the policing of them and other facilities of the District and rules affecting personal conduct of patrons and employees of the District;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Commissioners of the Belvidere Township Park District, in Boone County, Illinois, as follows:

CHAPTER I
DESIGNATION AND APPLICATION

SECTION 1.01 DESIGNATION

This ordinance shall be known as the “Revised Administrative Ordinance of the Belvidere Township Park District, Boone County, Illinois”, and the same may be so cited and referred to for purposes of identification.

SECTION 1.02 SCOPE

This ordinance shall apply to and be enforced in all the territory originally embraced in, heretofore added to and which may hereafter be embraced in the boundaries of said Belvidere Township Park District, and in all parks, public places and other facilities now under or hereafter coming under the control of the District, whether within or outside the boundaries of said District.

CHAPTER II
DEFINITIONS

SECTION 2.01 THE DISTRICT

Whenever in this ordinance the word “District” is used, without qualifying language, such a word shall apply to and be deemed to mean the Belvidere Township Park District, Boone County, Illinois.

SECTION 2.02 COMMISSIONERS AND PARK BOARD

Whenever in this ordinance, or any other ordinance hereafter adopted the words, “Board of Park Commissioners”, “Commissioner”, “Park Board” or “Board” shall appear without qualifying language, such words shall mean and be held to mean the Commissioners of the Belvidere Township Park District.

CHAPTER III
MEETINGS

SECTION 3.01 RULES OF ORDER

The rules of order of business established by the Board of Commissioners shall be Revised Roberts Rules of Order with the following modifications;

  1. The Chair shall have the same rights as all Commissioners to discuss issues on agendas with the exception that the Chair shall not make or second a motion.
  2. The Chair may at the request of a Commissioner or by written permission of the Board call roll call vote on matters other than votes regarding the spending of money.
  3. The Chair will limit the time for discussion on issues by consensus of the Board.
  4. The acceptance of the Financial report and minutes shall be by consent as presented to the Board.
  5. The approval of the bills shall be by motion and vote.

SECTION 3.02 ORDER OF BUSINESS

At all meetings of the Commissioners, upon the appearance of a quorum, the Board shall be called to order, the President taking the chair, if present, and the Board appointing a President pro tem, if the President shall be absent. The Secretary designee shall take the minutes.

SECTION 3.03 OFFICER’S TERM OF OFFICE AND ELECTION

The President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected annually at the first regular meeting scheduled in May.

SECTION 3.04 TERMS OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

As provided for by resolution, the term of office of Park Board Commissioners shall be for four (4) years.

SECTION 3.05 ATTENDANCE AND DECLARATION OF VACANCY

  1. The office of any Commissioner may be declared vacant by the majority of the Board of Commissioners if a Commissioner fails or neglects to attend four consecutive regularly scheduled meetings.
  2. The office of any Commissioner may be declared vacant by the majority of the Board of Commissioners if a Commissioner fails or neglects to attend a minimum of eight regularly scheduled meetings of the Board in any 12 month period.

SECTION 3.06 SPECIAL MEETING

No special meeting shall be held, except when called by two of such Commissioners or the President, in which case public notice of such meeting shall be given.

SECTION 3.07 IN MATTERS NOT SPECIFIED

In all matters not particularly specified in the above rules, the Board shall be governed by the applicable revised Illinois State Statutes.

SECTION 3.08 RECORDING OF ORDINANCE

All ordinances passed by the Board of Commissioners of Belvidere Township Park District shall be recorded by the secretary in a proper book or books, with indices, kept for that purpose. The original shall be filed with the secretary; and due proof of the publication of all ordinances requiring publication by the certificate of the publisher or printer, shall be procured by the secretary, and attached thereto, or written and attested upon the face of the record of such ordinance.

SECTION 3.09 ORDINANCES TAKING EFFECT

All ordinances hereafter passed by the Board of Commissioners requiring publication, shall take effect from and after the due publication thereof, unless therein otherwise expressly provided. Ordinances not requiring publication shall take effect from their passage, unless therein otherwise expressly provided.

CHAPTER IV
USE OF PARK

SECTION 4.01 RULES TO BE OBEYED

No person shall violate or disobey any rule of the District relating to the use and government of the park system. The Executive Director of the District or his authorized representatives may issue such rules and regulations as are necessary to insure public health and safety in the use and enjoyment of any and all park facilities, including but not limited to its park lands, swimming pool, and any other recreational facilities.

SECTION 4.02 LOCAL ORDINANCE COORDINATION

All public ordinances of all municipalities within which any part of the Belvidere Township Park District is located are hereby adopted by Belvidere Township Park District insofar as the same are applicable to, and not in conflict with these ordinances, for the regulations of the use of that portion of the parks and park facilities of Belvidere Township Park District located within the territorial limits of such respective municipalities. Said municipal ordinance within the portion of the Park District located within said respective municipalities shall be deemed to be addition to the provisions of these ordinances.

SECTION 4.03 PARK CLOSING HOURS

The parks of the District shall be closed from 10:00 pm until 6:00 a.m. the following morning, except with the written consent of the Executive Director. No person or property of any kind shall remain in the parks after closing time unless written permission has been granted by the Executive Director for later hours. (Class A)

SECTION 4.04 PERMITS

a.    Any act prohibited under this code or any other ordinance or rule of the District, provided such act not be otherwise prohibited by State or Federal law, shall be lawful to the extent authorized or permitted under the provisions of a permit issued or written permission granted by the District.

b.   Permits shall be issued and written permission granted only upon the payment of such fees and deposits as may be established by the District. All terms for the issuance of the permits and granting of written permission must be strictly complied with, and any violation shall be grounds for revocation of said permit.

c.   Any group shall be allowed to reserve designated areas in certain parks by written permission of the Executive Director.

d.   Large groups over 20 people shall be required to notify and seek permission to gather by the Park District. This may be accomplished by renting reservable facilities or a written request to the Executive Director to gather without renting reservable or non-reservable facilities. The District reserves the right to accept or deny the request to best serve all users of the facility and may request a certificate of insurance naming the Park District as additional insured based on the nature of the use. (Class A)

e.   No person shall sell, consume, or possess alcoholic beverages upon any property of the District except upon written permission issued by the       Executive Director upon prior application Therefore by such not-for-profit charitable or community organization whose membership is open to the general public or governmental entities who shall:

  1. Provide adequate security and police protection for the event for which a permit to dispense alcoholic beverage shall be sought;
  2. Provide to the Executive Director evidence of dram shop insurance; 3. Agree to indemnify and hold harmless Belvidere Township Park District from any claims or liability which might arise out of the event or the dispensing or consumption of alcoholic beverage;
  3. Provide adequate clean-up and maintenance service upon the conclusion of the event or reimburse the Park District for such service; and
  4. Provide or dispense alcoholic beverage only in connection with an event presented for the enjoyment of the general public rather than a purely private group. Such permit shall authorize only the sale, distribution, or consumption or possession of wine and beer and of no other alcoholic beverages. (Class A)

SECTION 4.05 UNLAWFUL USE OF PERMIT

It is unlawful within the Belvidere Township Park District for any person:

  1. To display or cause or permit to be displayed or have in his possession any cancelled, revoked, suspended, fictitious, or fraudulently altered permit;
  2. To lend his permit to any other person or knowingly allow the use thereof by another;
  3. To display or represent as his own, any permit not issued to him;
  4. To permit any unlawful use of a permit issued to him.

(Class B)

SECTION 4.06 PARADES AND MEETINGS

No person or persons shall hold or participate in any procession, public meeting, gathering or parade within the park system without having first obtained written permission to do so from the Executive Director (Class B)

SECTION 4.07 REFUSE

No person shall deposit or leave any garbage, tree, shrub, or grass trimmings or clippings, refuse or other material of any kind on the park system grounds or waters. Paper, glass, cans, garbage and other refuse of every kind resulting from picnics or other proper use of the park system shall be deposited in receptacles provided for that purpose, and no person shall litter, suffer, or cause the park system to be littered in any way. (Class B)

SECTION 4.075 GRAFFITI PROHIBITED

  1. It shall be unlawful for any person to write, paint, draw or otherwise mark upon any wall, rock, bridge, building, fence, gate or other structure, tree or other real or personal property, located upon property owned and controlled by the District any drawing, inscription, figure or mark of the type commonly known and referred to as graffiti.
  2. The District Executive Director or his designee may by written permit, allow writing, painting, drawing or other marking upon specified structures or property of the District, at specified times and for specified purposes, upon such reasonable terms and conditions as he may determine, which conditions shall be evenly and fairly applied.
  3. Penalty – A violation of this Section shall constitute a Class C offense under the Penal Ordinances of the District.

SECTION 4.08 TREES AND SHRUBS

  1. No person shall cut, break, or in any way injure or deface any tree, shrub, plant, flower, turf, or any of the buildings or other structures and properties, or dig into the soil or into any road, park, parkway or playground within the Belvidere Township Park District without written permission of the Executive Director. (Class B)
  2. No person shall cut, quarter or remove any dying, dead or downed trees or shrubs from the Belvidere Township Park District property without written permission of the Executive Director. (Class B)

SECTION 4.09 ANIMALS

  1. No person shall hunt, trap, catch, wound or kill or treat cruelly, or attempt to hunt, trap, catch or wound or kill any bird or animal in any park. (Class B)
  2. No person shall bring a dog or cat within the park system controlled by the District, unless properly leashed and under control at all times. It is also unlawful for any dog owner to allow a dog under his control to deposit solid waste or dung without immediately removing such waste in a proper container. (Class A)
  3. No person shall lead, ride or allow to be loose upon District property, any horse, pony or other riding animal except in areas designated for riding and by written permission of the Executive Director. (Class A)
  4. Any animal found within the park system in violation of this section may be apprehended, removed to the animal shelter, public pound or any other place, provided for that purpose and impounded, all at the expense of the owner. (Class C)

SECTION 4.10 FIRES

No person shall light or make use of any fire in the park system except at such places as may be established for such purposes and then only under such rules as may be prescribed therefore. Every fire shall be continuously under the care and direction of a competent person from the time is it kindled until it is completely extinguished. (Class A)

SECTION 4.105 SMOKING PROHIBITED

  1. It shall be unlawful for any person who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years to smoke or possess upon the parks and lands of the District or other areas subject to the jurisdiction and control of the District, cigarettes, cigars, pipes or other types of tobacco;
  2. Penalty, A violation of this Section shall constitute a Class A offense under the Penal Ordinances of the District. A second violation of this Section within a one (1) year period shall constitute a Class B offense under the Penal Ordinances of the District. A third and subsequent violation of this Section within a one (1) year period shall constitute a Class C offense under the Penal Ordinances of the District.

SECTION 4.11 CAMPING

No person shall be permitted to stop and camp in parks of the Belvidere Township Park District without first having obtained written permission to do so by the Executive Director. (Class A)

SECTION 4.12 RESTRICTED AREAS

No person shall enter upon any portion of the park system where persons are prohibited by the District as indicated by sign or notice. No person shall enter or attempt to enter any building or area in the park system when it is closed to the public or scheduled for a specific group or activity, unless invited by same. (Class A)

SECTION 4.13 FIGHTS – DISORDERLY CONDUCT

  1. No person within the limits of the Belvidere Township Park District or its playgrounds shall engage in, instigate, cause or procure any prize fight, dog fight, cock fight, or any public or private fighting.
  2. No person shall do any act in such unreasonable manner as to alarm or disturb another and to provoke a breach of the peace while within property of the Belvidere Township Park District. (Class B)

SECTION 4.14 WEAPONS, MISSILES AND FIREWORKS

No person or organization shall bring, carry, or use in any way knives, firearms, or other weapons of any kind, or any fireworks or other explosive substance of any kind into the park system without the written permission of the Executive Director. No person shall throw, cast, or shoot arrows, stones, or other missiles of any kind within the park system except at such places and times as the District may designate for such purposes. (Class B)

SECTION 4.15 HAWKING, PEDDLING AND SELLING

No person shall hawk, peddle or sell or attempt to hawk, peddle or sell any goods, wares or merchandise of any kind or nature within said parks or playgrounds without first having obtained written permission of the Executive Director to do so. (Class A)

SECTION 4.16 GAMBLING

No person or organization shall engage in gambling or any gambling-related activity within the Belvidere Township Park District. (Class A) Gambling for purposes of the above includes the following:

  1. A game of chance or skill for money or for other things of value unless otherwise declared legal by the laws of the State of Illinois.
  2. Wagering upon the result of any game, contest or any political nomination, appointment or election.
  3. Operating, keeping, owning, using, purchasing, exhibiting, renting, selling, bargaining for the sale or lease of, manufacturing or distributing any gambling device.
  4. Knowingly owning or possessing any book, instrument or apparatus by means of which bets or wages have been or are recorded or registered or knowingly possessing of any money which has been received in the course of a bet or wager.
  5. Selling pools upon the result of any game or contest of skill or chance, political nomination, appointment or election.
  6. Setting up or promoting any lottery or selling, offering to sell or transferring any ticket or share of any lottery unless specifically provided by the laws of the State of Illinois.
  7. Setting up or promoting any policy game or selling, offering to sell or knowingly possessing or transferring any policy ticket, slip, record, document or other similar device.

SECTION 4.17 SOUND AMPLIFICATION

No person within the Belvidere Township Park District system shall play or operate any sound amplification device including radios, television sets, phonographs, tape decks, public address systems, amplified musical instruments and the like or operate any other energy amplification device in a manner which may reasonably be expected to annoy other persons in the parks. (Class A)

SECTION 4.18 ADVERTISING

No person shall display any placard or advertisement of any kind in any park, nor shall any person distribute, cast, throw, or place any handbill, pamphlet, circular, advertisement or notice of any kind, nor post, stencil or otherwise affix any notice or bills, advertisements or other papers upon any structure or thing in or about any park. (Class A)

SECTION 4.19 MOTORIZED VEHICLES

  1. Keep to DrivesNo person shall drive any automobile, truck, motorcycle, or other motorized vehicle within any of the parks of the District except upon the designated roadways and parking areas provided for driving or parking the same, except Park District employees in the performance of their duties. (Class B)
  2. TrucksNo person not having business in the Park District system shall drive any vehicle having a gross weight of 10,000 lbs. or more upon any of the driveways of any of the parks of the District without written permission of the Executive Director. (Class B)
  3. Speed Restrictions
    1. No vehicle may be driven upon any roadway within the Belvidere Township Park District at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or which endangers the safety of any person or property. The fact that the speed of the vehicle does not exceed the applicable maximum speed limit does not relieve the driver from the duty to decrease speed when approaching and crossing an intersection, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, or when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions. Speed must be decreased as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person or vehicle on or entering the roadway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care. (Class B)
    2. No person may drive a vehicle upon any roadway of the Belvidere Township Park District System at a speed which is greater that 15 mph. (Class B)
    3. In every charge of violation of this section by failure to observe an applicable speed limit, the complaint shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven, and the speed limit which is applicable at the place of the alleged violation.
  4. One Way TrafficNo vehicle may be driven upon any one-way designated roadway within the Belvidere Township Park District contrary to the established direction, except Park District vehicles in the performance of their duties. (Class B)
  5. Designated Parking AreasNo person shall park any vehicle in designated parking areas of the District beyond the normal closing hour of the park system at Dusk except where an individual is attending a function where written permission has been granted for a later closing hour by the Executive Director or specified therein. (Class A)
  6. Parking, Standing or Stopping IllegallyNo person shall park, stand or otherwise stop a vehicle within any Park of the District, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or traffic control device, in any of the following places: (Class A)
    1. On lawn areas and grounds.
    2. In front of public or private driveways or loading zones.
    3. In any position to block another car legally parked.
    4. At any place where official signs prohibiting parking entirely or prohibiting parking for more than a specified period have been posted by the District.
    5. In any park beyond the normal closing hour of Dusk.
    6. In any position which obstructs or interferes with the travel of other vehicles on a roadway or the use of any park facility within the District.
    7. Within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant or a traffic control signal or sign.
  7. Unattended Motor VehiclesNo person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle within the Belvidere Township Park District shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine and removing the ignition key, and when standing upon any perceptible grade without effectively setting the brake and turning the front vehicle wheels to the curb or side of the road. (Class A)
  8. Snowmobiles (Class B)1. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any snowmobile in or on any portion of district properties.
  9. Impounding of VehiclesAny vehicle parked or standing within the park system in violation of any law, ordinance, or rule is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. Such vehicle may be removed and impounded and the owner or person entitled to possession of the vehicle shall pay all charges and expenses arising out of any action taken hereunder. (Class C)
  10. BicyclesAll provisions of the State of Illinois and City of Belvidere code pertaining to bicycles shall apply to all bicycles and to their owners and operators while on park property.
    1. It shall be unlawful to ride a bicycle on any ground or turf area on any park property. Bicycles shall be permitted on all roadways, paths, sidewalks and parking lots that are paved or graveled.
    2. It shall be unlawful to ride a bicycle across any pedestrian bridge. Any person wishing to cross a pedestrian bridge must first disembark completely from the bicycle and shall walk along side the bicycle and obey all laws governing pedestrians.

SECTION 4.20 PENALTIES

    1. Eviction – Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter may be forthwith evicted from the parks or other places under the control of the Park District.
    2. Penalties – Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $1,000.00 to be recovered in a manner and form provided by law.
    3. Any person accused of violation of any provision of this chapter may settle the claim against him by paying to the Belvidere Township Park District the sum as described below:
      • Class A Fines: Not less than $100.00 per offense ($50.00 if paid within 5 days of issuance of citation);
      • Class B Fines: Not less than $150.00 per offense ($75.00 if paid within 5 days of issuance of citation);
      • Class C Fines: Not less than $250.00 per offense ($125.00 if paid within 5 days of citation),

      However no such settlement may be made once a complaint has been filed with the Circuit Clerk

    4. The penalties set forth in Subsection C above shall be deemed minimum penalties and in appropriate cases the District may seek higher penalties not to exceed the maximum amount allowed and provided by law.

SECTION 4.21 ISSUANCE OF CITATION

The Park District Executive Director shall designate the proper persons or authorities that have the power to issue complaints or citations regarding the enforcement of all ordinances in the preceding chapters.

CHAPTER V
REPEAL

SECTION 5.01 REPEAL

All existing ordinances, resolutions and orders in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

CHAPTER VI
PUBLICATION

SECTION 6.01 PUBLICATION IN PAMPHLET FORM

In lieu of other publications, this ordinance shall be published in pamphlet form, as provided by law, and when so printed shall become effective and shall have the same force and effect as otherwise published by law; and such pamphlet shall be received as evidence of the passage of this ordinance in all courts or places without further publications, all as provided by law.

Passed at a regular meeting of said Board of Park Commissioners of said Belvidere Township Park District this 22 day of March, 2016.

Ayes
Nays
Absent

APPROVED:
President, Board of Park Commissioners

ATTEST:
Secretary, Board of Park Commissioners