Chapter 12.26
PARK RULES

Sections:

12.26.010    Regulations related to dogs in park areas.

12.26.020    Park hours.

12.26.030    Litter in parks.

12.26.040    Firearms, campfires, fireworks and camping.

12.26.050    Alcoholic beverages.

12.26.060    Disorderly conduct.

12.26.070    Destruction or removal of park property.

12.26.080    Sales in park.

12.26.090    Skateboarding and bicycles within City parks.

12.26.100    Golfing, driving, putting and/or chipping of golf balls.

12.26.110    Metal detecting, treasure hunting and digging.

12.26.120    Additional rules and regulations.

12.26.130    Enforcement.

12.26.010 Regulations related to dogs in park areas.

A.    General Regulations.

1.    All dogs in City parks must be under control by means of being on a leash at all times, unless in an area designated for dog exercise and training.

2.    The owner or handler of any dog is to remove fecal matter deposited by their animal on public property or public easement before the owner or handler leaves the immediate areas where the fecal matter was deposited.

3.    The owner or handler of any dog must have in their possession the equipment necessary to remove their dog’s fecal matter when accompanied by said dog on public easement.

B.    Dog Exercise Training Areas. The City has designated the following park areas where dogs can be off leash for exercise and training. The handler is responsible for keeping their dog under control and responsible for all action, behavior, and cleanup of fecal matter.

VanderYacht Park is the only area designated for off-leash dog exercise and training.

    When a dog is within a designated off-leash exercise and training area, it is the owner’s/handler’s option to keep the dog under control by means of a leash. When the dog is off leash, the owner/handler is still to keep the dog under voice or sound control and is therefore responsible for all action, behavior and cleanup of dog fecal matter.

C.    Dog Restricted Areas. Due to heavy use by the public, and safety and health concerns, there are several park areas where dogs and domestic animals are not permitted, with the exception of service animals:

1.    Within all park playground equipment areas.

2.    On City athletic field playing surfaces.

3.    Within all of the fenced area (Pioneer Village) of Pioneer Park. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1258 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.020 Park hours.

City parks are open to the public from dawn to dusk with the exception of Pioneer Park, the Phillips 66 Sports Complex, and VanderYacht Park during scheduled athletic activities, special events or posted hours. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1258 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.030 Litter in parks.

No person shall throw or deposit litter in any park except in receptacles provided by the City. Where receptacles are not provided, all litter shall be carried away and properly disposed of. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.040 Firearms, campfires, fireworks and camping.

A.    The discharging of firearms in City parks is prohibited.

B.    Campfires are prohibited in all City parks.

C.    Fireworks shall not be discharged in City parks except for public displays by licensed pyrotechnic operators and only with an approved permit issued by the City Council under RCW 70.77.260 and 70.77.280, an approved City of Ferndale special events permit, and in accordance with the requirements in FMC 9.04.030(D)(2).

D.    Overnight camping is prohibited without a special event permit issued by the City of Ferndale. (Ord. 2168 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1512 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.050 Alcoholic beverages.

The opening or consuming of any alcoholic beverage within City parks is prohibited, except in those areas and at those events that:

A.    Have appropriate licensing from the state of Washington; and

B.    Have a special event permit issued by the City of Ferndale. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.060 Disorderly conduct.

No person shall make noise or otherwise engage in conduct that unreasonably interferes with the use of City parks or adjacent private property by other persons. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.070 Destruction or removal of park property.

No person shall destroy, injure, deface, obscure or remove any structures, signs, equipment or vegetation in any City park. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.080 Sales in park.

Selling food, drinks or other merchandise in City parks requires that a special event permit be issued by the City of Ferndale, unless the seller has a concession sales contract with the City of Ferndale. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.090 Skateboarding and bicycles within City parks.

Skateboarding and bicycles are prohibited:

A.    Upon any sidewalk without yielding to any pedestrian;

B.    Upon any sidewalk in front of any building which has doors which open onto or from said sidewalk;

C.    Upon any sidewalk between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise;

D.    Upon any public or private property where signs prohibit the activity;

E.    In a manner endangering or likely to endanger the safety of persons or property;

F.    While being pushed or pulled by any motorized vehicle;

G.    While utilizing any type of ramp or other object upon any sidewalk. (Chapter 10.06 FMC.) (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.100 Golfing, driving, putting and/or chipping of golf balls.

Golfing activity, including the driving, chipping and putting of golf balls, is prohibited in City parks without explicit written permission from the Public Works Director. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.110 Metal detecting, treasure hunting and digging.

The use of metal detectors and/or digging devices is prohibited in City parks without explicit written permission from the Public Works Director. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2110 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1189 § 1, 1998)

12.26.120 Additional rules and regulations.

This is not a complete listing of all rules and regulations pertaining to City parks. The City expressly reserves the authority to implement rules and regulations of a temporary nature to protect public health and safety or for any other reason the City deems reasonable and necessary. In such an event, additional rules, regulations and closures pertaining to specific park areas shall be posted at facilities and trailheads. Such temporary rules are limited to two months, after which review by the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Advisory Board will be required. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021)

12.26.130 Enforcement.

Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, violations of any section or provision of this title will be enforced in accordance with FMC 9.01.060. (Ord. 2164 § 1 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 1874 § 1, 2014. Formerly 12.26.120)