§ 58-84. Recreational activities.

(a)

Bathing and swimming. No person shall:

(1)

Designated areas. Swim, bathe or wade in any waters or waterways adjacent to any park or recreational facility, except in such waters and at such places as are provided therefor, and in compliance with such regulations as are set forth in this article or may be hereafter adopted nor shall any person frequent any waters or places customarily designated for the purpose of swimming or bathing, when such activity is prohibited by the director of parks and recreation upon a finding that such use of the water would be dangerous or otherwise inadvisable.

(2)

Hours. Frequent any waters or places designated for the purpose of swimming or bathing, or congregate thereat, except between such hours of the day as shall be designated by the director of parks and recreation for such purposes for each individual area.

(3)

Structure on beach. Erect, maintain, use or occupy on or in any beach or bathing area any tent, shelter or structure of any kind unless there shall be an unobstructed view into such tent, shelter or structure from at least two sides, nor shall any guide wire, rope or extension or exterior brace or support be connected or fastened from any such structure to any other structure, stake, rock or other object outside thereof. Such permitted structures shall be designed for temporary use only, such as umbrellas, canopies or other shade devices.

(4)

Bathhouses. Dress or undress on any beach or in any vehicle, toilet or other place, except in such bathing house or structure as may be provided for that purpose.

(b)

Boating.

(1)

Designated areas. Bring into or operate any boat, raft or other watercraft, whether motor-powered or not, upon any waters, except at places designated for boating by the director of parks and recreation. Such activity shall be in accordance with applicable regulations as are now or may be hereafter adopted.

(2)

Public docks. Use the public docks for dockage or other purpose without first making arrangements for such accommodation with the director of parks and recreation, who shall assign space and collect reasonable rental charges in conformity with established regulations and rates.

(3)

Operation of boats. Navigate, direct or handle any boat in such a manner as to unjustifiably or unnecessarily annoy or frighten or endanger the occupants of any other boat.

(4)

Prohibition during closing hours. Launch, dock or otherwise use any boat in any way or attach, leave or store any property, on any city dock, seawall or beach outside the permitted time periods set forth in section 78-467(d) of this Code.

(c)

Wildlife. The killing, wounding, frightening, capture, feeding, touching, teasing, molesting or intentional disturbance of, at any time, any wildlife or the activities or phenomena of wildlife is prohibited, except dangerous animals when it is necessary to prevent them from destroying human lives or inflicting personal injury.

(d)

Picnic areas and use. No person shall:

(1)

Regulated. Picnic in a place other than those designated for that purpose. Parks and recreation employees shall have the authority to regulate the activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum use for the comfort and convenience of all. Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end.

(2)

Availability. Violate the regulation that use of the individual grills together with tables and benches follows generally the rule of "first come, first served."

(3)

Nonexclusive. Use any portion of the picnic areas or of any of the buildings or structures therein for the purpose of holding picnics to the exclusion of other persons unless a permit has been obtained from the parks and recreation department, nor shall any person use such area and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded.

(4)

Duty of picnicker. Leave a picnic area before the 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. If no trash receptacles are available, then refuse and trash shall be carried away from the area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.

(e)

Camping. No person shall camp in other than permanent cabins or in specified camping areas established for organized camping provided by the director of parks and recreation and use by groups of persons under adequate supervision. No person shall set up tents, shacks or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping, nor shall any person sleep in a park or recreational facility, except as specified in this subsection, nor shall any person leave on the premises after closing hours any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, such as house trailer, camp trailer, camp vehicle, or the like.

(f)

Games. No person shall take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins or model airplanes except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation. The playing of rough or comparatively dangerous games such as football, baseball and quoits is prohibited except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor. The use of roller skates and skateboards shall be confined to those areas specifically designated for such pastime.

(g)

Horseback riding. No person shall ride a horse except on designated bridle trails. Where permitted horses shall be thoroughly broken and properly restrained, and ridden with due care, and shall not be allowed to graze or go unattended, nor shall they be hitched to any rock, tree or shrub.

(h)

Checker tables. No person shall use a table, which has stamped thereon what is commonly known as a "checkerboard," for the playing of cards or any game other than checkers and chess.

(Code 1979, § 21-67; Ord. No. 4368-11, § 1, 9-19-2011; Ord. No. 4538-14, § 9, 11-10-2014; Ord. No. 4626-16, § 1, 4-11-2016; Ord. No. 4632-16, § 7, 4-25-2016)