HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 5542CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 5542
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, AMENDING SECTION
2-9-6, RULES AND REGULATIONS, OF CHAPTER 9, PARKS COMMISSION, OF
TITLE II (BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) OF ORDINANCE NO. 4260 ENTITLED
"CODE OF GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON",
TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS.
WHEREAS, the City of Renton operates several parks; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to adopt rules and regulations for conduct, activities and
behavior within those parks; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary periodically to amend the rules and regulations; and
WHEREAS, these new rules and regulations have been proposed and considered by the
Park Board and adopted by the Park Board pursuant to resolution; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Renton must also review and adopt by
reference any amendments to the Park Rules and Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has conducted such review and finds the amendments to
the Park Rules and Regulations advisable;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. Subsection 2-9-6B, Council Adoption, of Chapter 9, Parks Commission, of
Title II (Commissions and Boards) of Ordinance No. 4260 entitled "Code of General Ordinances
of the City of Renton, Washington", is hereby amended as follows:
B. Council Adoption: The parks rules and regulations shall be submitted to
the City Council for approval and adoption. The civil violations found in the parks
ORDINANCE NO. 5542
rules and regulations, as they may be amended, from time to time, are hereby
adopted by reference and shall be effective upon their approval by Council voice
vote and the filing of at least one copy of said park rules and regulations with
the City Clerk. The criminal violations found in the parks rules and regulations
shall be codified in the Penal Code, Title VI, Chapter 18 of Renton Municipal
Code.
SECTION II. This ordinance shall be effective upon its passage, approval, and thirty
(30) days after publication.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 28thaay of June 2010.
Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 28tnday of June f 2010.
<AA>Q
Denis Law, Mayor
Approved as to form:
Lawrence J. Warren, City Attorney
Date of Publication: 7/2/2010 (summary)
ORD.1639:6/18/10:scr
Adopted by Reference by ORD 5542
Park Rules and Regulations
Authorized by Ordinance No. 4419. Amended by Ordinance No.5155. Amended from Ordinance
No. 4319 and No. 1476. Resolution No. 3555 adopted March 18, 2002; Resolution No. 3751
adopted May 9, 2005.
A. General Provisions
Section 1. Priority of Use
Programs and activities scheduled by the Community Services Department will have first priority
for use of parks and facilities. Otherwise, use of parks and facilities will be on a "first-come first-
served" basis.
Section 2. Designee of Administrator
The term "Administrator" shall mean the Community Services Administrator. The authority
granted herein to the Administrator is granted to the Administrator's designee.
Section 3. Exemptions from Rules and Regulations
• Rules and Regulations related to possession of Weapons & Fireworks (Section B3) do not
apply to law enforcement personnel or to persons performing assigned duties as
authorized by the Administrator.
• Rules and Regulations related to Overweight Vehicles in Parks (Section B6) do not apply
to City of Renton maintenance vehicles or emergency vehicles.
• Rules and Regulations related to Wildlife Harassment (Section B7) do not apply to wildlife
control efforts authorized by the Administrator.
• Rules and Regulations related to Domestic Animals in Parks (Section Bll) do not apply
law enforcement K-9 officers in the conduct of their official duties or to animals used by
independent contractors if required in performance of the contract.
• Rules and Regulations related to Parking and Moorage (Section CIO) do not apply to park
maintenance and law enforcement watercraft.
B. Criminal Violations
Section 1. Posting of Signs
Except as authorized by the Administrator, it is unlawful to use, place or erect any signboard,
sign, billboard, bulletin board, post, pole or device of any kind for advertising in any park; or to
attach any notice bill, poster, sign, wire, rod, or cord to any tree, shrub, railing, post or structure
within any park; or to place or erect in any park, a structure of any kind.
Section 2. Park Closing
Unless otherwise posted, it is unlawful to remain in any park after the posted closing time, except
when engaged in activities, programs or events scheduled by the Community Services
Department.
Section 3. Weapons & Fireworks
Except as otherwise permitted by law, it is unlawful for a person to possess in any park, any
fireworks, firecracker, torpedo, explosive, air gun, sword, knife, bow and arrow(s), BB gun, paint
ball gun, or slingshot.
It is unlawful for any person to possess firearms in any park except as otherwise permitted by
law.
Section 4. Alcohol
It is unlawful to possess or consume alcoholic beverages in any park except in areas designated
by the Parks Commission. Designated areas are 1) Maplewood Golf Course, when such beverages
are purchased and consumed within the concessionaire's licensed premises; 2) and designated
areas of the Renton Community Center and Renton Senior Activity Center facilities as part of a
facility rental. All activities shall comply with all Washington State Liquor Control Board
requirements.
Section 5. Swimming Areas
It is unlawful for any person to disobey rules, signs or lifelines designating swimming areas.
Swimming shall be permitted only within these areas. All persons using designated swimming
areas shall obey ail posted rules and/or the instruction of lifeguards, facility managers, or other
authorized Community Services Department employees. No person shall give or transmit a false
signal or false alarm of drowning.
Section 6. Overweight Vehicles in Parks
It is unlawful for any vehicle with a gross weight of over 32,000 pounds or a maximum width of
over 102 inches to use the road in any park of the city except for places set apart for such
purposes by the Parks Commission and designated by signs.
Section 7. Wildlife Feeding & Harassment
It is unlawful in any manner to tease, annoy, disturb, molest, catch, injure or kill, throw any
stone or missile of any kind at or strike with any stick or weapon, any animal, bird, or fowl in any
manner; or to feed any fowl or bird in any park.
Section 8. Concessions, Sales, Commercial Activities, Distribution & Posting
Pamphlets
It is unlawful to perform the following activities in a park area unless authorized in writing by the
Administrator:
Operating a fixed or mobile concession, or traveling exhibition.
Soliciting, selling, offering for sale, peddling, hawking, or vending any goods or services.
Advertising any goods or services other than the direct handing of written advertising to
any one person.
Conducting classes or organized competitions.
Distributing any commercial circular notice, leaflet, pamphlet or printed material of any
kind in any Community Services buildings. These facilities are not public forums or
2
limited public forums and are designated solely to the specific purposes for which they
are dedicated.
• Entering upon, using or traversing any portion of a park for commercial purpose,
including fund raising and/or fund solicitation.
• Attaching or securing to any vehicle or structure any commercial circular notice, leaflet,
pamphlet or printed material of any kind.
Section 9. Water Craft
It is unlawful to have, keep or operate any boat, float, raft or other water craft in or upon any
bay, lake, slough, river or creek, within the limits of any park, or to land the same at any point
upon the shores thereof, except at places set apart for such purposes by the Parks Commission
and so designated by signs.
Section 10. Domestic Animals in Parks
It is unlawful to allow or permit any domestic animal, including service animals, to run at large in
any park, or enter any swimming area, pond or fountain therein. A dog brought into or kept in a
park area shall be on a leash not more than eight (8) feet in length. Exceptions to leash
requirements may be made only for approved scheduled events.
• No domestic animals, except for service animals, will be allowed in any park or park
facility that permits swimming.
• Any person with a dog or other pet in their possession in any park shall be responsible
for both the conduct of the animal and for removal from the park of feces deposited by
such animal. The person with the dog or other pet must have in their possession the
equipment or supplies required for feces removal.
• With permission of the Parks Commission, domestic animals, except for service animals,
can be restricted from specific events held at parks or posted areas within a park.
• No domestic animals, except for service animals, will be allowed at the Maplewood Golf
Course.
Section 11. Authority to Remove Persons in Parks
It shall be unlawful to stay in a park when directed to leave by an authorized Community
Services Department employee or any police officer.
Section 12. Vandalism
It is unlawful to remove, destroy, mutilate or deface any structure, monument, statue, vase,
fountain, wall fence, railing, vehicle, bench, shrub, tree, fern, plant, flower, lighting system or
sprinkling system, or other property lawfully in any park.
Section 13. Littering
It is unlawful to throw or deposit any refuse or other material in any park, except in designated
receptacles, or to take garbage or refuse generated outside a park to a park for disposal.
Section 14. Noise Restrictions
All provisions of the Renton Municipal Code, Title 8, Chapter 7, will be strictly enforced, in
particular the following provisions:
• It is unlawful to play car stereos, radios, or "boom boxes" - portable audio equipment,
such as tape or compact disc players - so loudly they interfere with normal conversations
or cause annoying vibrations at a distance of 75 feet or more.
• It is unlawful to operate or use any loudspeaker or other mechanical means of amplifying
sound in any park without a written permit.
Section 15. Conduct
It is unlawful to use abusive, vile, profane, or obscene language or threats, which interfere with
the reasonable use of a park by the general public.
It is unlawful to engage in acts of violence, including but not limited to fights of any kind, or to
act in a violent, threatening, intimidating, or hostile manner toward another person whereby such
person is put in reasonable fear for his/her safety.
Section 17. Lost Property
It is unlawful for any person to fail to turn in any property or objects found on any park premises
to the park staff or directly to the office of the Police Department, at City Hall, Renton,
Washington. The article shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable City and State Laws.
Section 18. Additional Violations
Any violation of state criminal laws or the criminal laws of the City of Renton constitutes a
violation of these Rules and Regulations.
C. Civil Violations
Section 1. Activities
It is unlawful in any park to practice or play golf, baseball, cricket, soccer, polo, archery, hockey,
volleyball, badminton or other games of like character, or to hurl, propel, or fly any airborne or
other missile, including model airplanes, except in places and times set apart for such purposes
by the Parks Commission.
Section 2. Motorized and Non-motorized Vehicles in Parks
Except for wheelchairs, wheeled prosthetics or other wheeled vehicles being used by a disabled
person, it is unlawful to ride, park or drive any bicycle, tricycle, motorcycle, motor vehicle,
skateboard, rollerblades, roller-skates, land sailing device, scooter, unicycles or any other
wheeled or similar vehicle, horse or pony on, over, or through any park designated by signage. It
is unlawful to use the Renton Skate Park at Liberty Park with any device other than a skateboard
or in-line skates.
Section 3. Dismount Zones
Bicycle operators must dismount their bicycle in a "Dismount Zone". Failure to dismount in a
Dismount Zone is a violation of these Rules and Regulations. For purposes of these Rules and
Regulations the Dismount Zones on the Cedar River Trail (Trail) are:
• The Trail between the South East side of the Branson Way bridge to the North
West side of the Logan Avenue bridge.
• The Trail between North 6th Street and the mouth of the Cedar River at Lake
Washington.
• The Pedestrian bridge that crosses under 1-405
For purposes of this Section 3, the term "dismount" means:
• The bicycle operator walks on foot alongside the bicycle.
• It is not a dismount if the bicycle operator remains seated on the bicycle seat.
• It is not a dismount if the bicycle operator has either foot on a pedal of the bicycle,
whether or not the bicycle is being propelled by the rotation of the front sprocket.
Section 4. Speeding on Trails
It is unlawful for any person to travel on a trail at a speed in excess of posted speed limits or
greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions or in disregard for actual
and potential hazards. In every event, speed shall be so controlled as is necessary to avoid
colliding with others using the trail. Travel at speeds in excess of 15 miles per hour on any trail
shall constitute in evidence a prima facie presumption that the person violated this section.
Travel on the Cedar River Trail, between a) 149th Avenue S.E. and the point where the trail
passes under 1-405, or b) the Northwest side of the Logan Ave. bridge to N. 6th St., at speeds in
excess of 10 miles per hour shall constitute in evidence a prima facie presumption that the
person violated this section.
Section 5. Vehicle Repair in Parks
Except when authorized in writing by the Administrator, it is unlawful, to operate, repair or
service any motor vehicle or motorcycle on park property for the purpose of testing, servicing or
repairing.
Section 6. Racing in Parks
It is unlawful to engage in, conduct or hold any trials or competitions for speed, endurance or hill
climbing involving any vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, or animal in any park without the written
permission of the Administrator.
Section 7. Camping and Overnight Stays in Parks
Except at places set aside for such purposes and so designated by signs, it is unlawful to erect a
tent or shelter or to arrange bedding, or both, for the purpose of, or in such a way as will permit
remaining overnight. It is also unlawful to park a trailer, camper or other vehicle for the purpose
of remaining overnight except when authorized by the Administrator.
Section 8. Fires and Barbecues
It is unlawful to build fires in any park except in areas designed and set aside for such purpose
by the Parks Commission. It is unlawful to use any portable barbecue over 36 inches in length or
less than 30 inches in height over a combustible surface unless said surface is protected by a
heat shield or fireproof device placed under the barbecue.
Section 9. Metal Detecting
It shall be unlawful to use in any park a device to detect ores or metals except when authorized
in writing by the Administrator.
Section 10. Glass Containers in Parks with Swimming Areas
It is unlawful to possess any glass container in any portion of the park or park facility which
permits swimming.
Section 11. Group Rally/Special Use Permit
It is unlawful to conduct any group rally in a park area or designated facilities where such
activities will conflict in any way with normal park usage. To avoid conflict, permission for such
activities must be obtained in advance from the Administrator.
Special permit required. Groups that desire to use City of Renton facilities may be granted
Special Use Permits by the department, but will be subject to a user fee. Where appropriate,
special conditions of use shall be established by the Community Services Department and so
noted on the Special Use Permits.
Section 12. Parking and Moorage
• It is unlawful to park in an area designated for a particular recreational activity, unless
participating in that activity. Vehicles parked in violation of this section may be
impounded at owner's expense.
• Boat or watercraft users who are launching at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and
who do not have an annual permit must pay the posted fee on a per use basis.
• It is unlawful to moor any boat or watercraft beyond posted time limits.
• Watercraft moored in violation of this section may be impounded at the owner's expense.
D. Penalties
Section 1. Criminal Violations
Pursuant to RMC 2-9-6C, Park Rules and Regulations identified as criminal violations herein are
punishable pursuant to RMC 1-3-1.
Section 2. Civil Violations
Pursuant to RMC 2-9-6C, Park Rules and Regulations identified as civil violations herein are
punishable pursuant to RMC 1-3-2.
Trail Etiquette
All Users:
Obey all trail signs and regulations. jMSOfficel]
Show courtesy for other trail users at all times.
[Keep dogs on leash, maximum length 8 feet (dogs are not allowed in Gene Coulon Memorial Beach
Park & Kennydale Beach Park). i|MSOffice2j
When entering or crossing a trail at an uncontrolled point, yield to traffic already on the trail.
No group of trail users shall occupy more than half of the trail nor impede the normal movement of
trail users.
-Motor vehicles are not allowed on City of Ronton trails except by Community Services Department
personnel.
Pedestrians:
• Listen for audible signals and allow faster trail users to pass safely.
Bicyclists:
• Cyclists are required to wear safety helmets on all trails in King County. ;[MSOffice3l
• Yield to pedestrians. Always give an early audible (voice, bell, horn) warning before passing
another trail user, allowing them adequate time to react.