Chapter 10.12
PARK CODE

Sections:

10.12.010    Short title.

10.12.020    Definitions.

10.12.030    Park director’s duties.

10.12.035    Formation of Advisory Board – Membership – Terms – Meetings.

10.12.040    Park hours – Uses of parks.

10.12.050    Removal of or damage to park property.

10.12.060    Signboards.

10.12.070    Animals in playfields or parks.

10.12.080    Firearms in parks.

10.12.090    Throwing missiles allowed only in designated areas.

10.12.100    Riding vehicles or animals.

10.12.110    Throwing missiles at animals.

10.12.120    Soliciting – Selling unlawful – Exception.

10.12.130    Creating nuisance.

10.12.140    Pollution – Waste and garbage disposal.

10.12.150    Building fires.

10.12.160    Liquor – Drugs.

10.12.170    Violation of chapter.

10.12.180    Aiding or abetting violators.

10.12.190    Violation – Penalty.

10.12.010 Short title.

This chapter shall be known and cited as the “park code” of Kitsap County.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 1, 1971)

10.12.020 Definitions.

The following words will have the meanings given in this section unless inconsistent with the context. “Shall” is always mandatory and not merely directive.

(1)    “Park” is any park, playground, beach, recreation center or any other area in Kitsap County owned or used by the county under the supervision of the park director;

(2)    “Park director” is the person immediately in charge of all park areas and all park activities, and to whom all park personnel of any area are responsible;

(3)    “Person” is any individual, group, association, corporation or organization of any kind.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 2, 1971)

10.12.030 Park director’s duties.

The control, supervision, maintenance and operation of all parks is vested in the park director.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 3, 1971)

10.12.035 Formation of Advisory Board – Membership – Terms – Meetings.

A park and recreation advisory board is formed, consisting of twelve members, four of whom shall represent the north district; four of whom shall represent the central district; and four of whom shall represent the south district of the county. The board of county commissioners shall appoint one-third of the members for a one-year term; one-third for a two-year term; and one-third for a three-year term. All subsequent appointments shall be for a three-year term. The board shall elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary; shall propose by-laws and operating guidelines for review and approval by the board of county commissioners; and shall hold bi-monthly meetings to provide timely advice to the director and the board of county commissioners of their findings and recommendations regarding the acquisition, development and administration of various park properties. In addition, the board may hold special meetings upon request of the chair, the director, the board of county commissioners or a majority of its members, and may, upon request of the board of county commissioners, create sub-committees to address specific issues related to property acquisition, park improvements and recreation programs. The director, or the director’s designated representative, shall attend all meetings of the park and recreation advisory board.

(Ord. 329 (2004) § 2, 2004)

10.12.040 Park hours – Uses of parks.

Except for unusual and unforeseen circumstances, parks will be open to the public during designated hours as posted therein. Exclusive use of a park or part of a park for some special purpose or event, or the closing of a park for an interval of time entirely or to certain uses may be allowed as the park director may find necessary.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 4, 1971)

10.12.050 Removal of or damage to park property.

It is unlawful to remove, destroy, mutilate or deface any tree, shrub, flower or other plant; any rock, cliff or other natural feature; any building or other manmade structure or artifact; any vehicle, implement, tool or other park property lawfully in any park.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 5, 1971)

10.12.060 Signboards.

It is unlawful to use, place or erect any signboard, 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 other structure within any park, or without written consent of the park director, to erect or place any kind of structure in any park; provided that the park director may permit the erection of temporary camping facilities in designated areas, also the erection of temporary directional signs or decorations on occasions of public celebration and picnics.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 6, 1971)

10.12.070 Animals in playfields or parks.

It is unlawful to allow or permit a horse, dog or other domestic animal in any designated playfield area, swimming area or picnic area or to enter any lake, pond, fountain or stream therein or to run at large in any area of any park.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 7, 1971)

10.12.080 Firearms in parks.*

It is unlawful to shoot, fire or explode any firearm, firecracker, fireworks, torpedo or explosive of any kind or to shoot or fire any air gun, BB gun, bow and arrow or use any slingshot in any park, except the park director may authorize archery, slinging, fireworks and firing of small bore arms at designated times and places suitable for their use.

(Ord. 431 (2009) § 1, 2009: Ord. 6 (1971) § 8, 1971)

*    Editor’s Note: For regulations governing firearms generally, see Chapter 10.25.

10.12.090 Throwing missiles allowed only in designated areas.

It is unlawful to throw any ball, stone, dart, spear, knife, club, axe or other missile or to play horseshoes, golf, baseball, football, polo, cricket, hockey, tennis, badminton or other game involving a moving projectile except in areas designated for such use by the park director.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 9, 1971)

10.12.100 Riding vehicles or animals.

It is unlawful to ride or drive any motor vehicle, bicycle, tricycle or other self-propelled vehicle or any horse or other animal through any park except along and upon park roads and such trails as are marked for bicycles, horses or motorcycles; or at speeds in excess of ten miles per hour; or to park any vehicle except in areas designated by the park director.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 10, 1971)

10.12.110 Throwing missiles at animals.

It is unlawful in any manner to tease, annoy, molest, disturb, catch, injure or kill or to throw any stone or missile of any kind at or to strike with any stick or other object any animal, be it reptile, fish, bird or beast.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 11, 1971)

10.12.120 Soliciting – Selling unlawful – Exception.

It is unlawful for any person to solicit alms or contributions for any purpose whether public or private, or to expose or offer for sale any article or thing, nor shall any person station or place any stand, cart or vehicle for transportation, sale or display of any such article or thing, except a licensed concessionaire acting by and under the authority of the park director.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 12, 1971)

10.12.130 Creating nuisance.*

It is unlawful for any person to commit a nuisance by fighting, threatening, menacing or in any way intimidating or coercing another; or to act in a belligerent, boisterous or threatening manner; or to incite or participate in any riotous act; or to use profane, obscene or abusive language; or to commit any lewd, licentious or vicious act; or to deliberately annoy another person by making loud noises or other disturbance.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 13, 1971)

*    Editor’s Note: For regulations governing noise as a nuisance, see Chapter 10.28.

10.12.140 Pollution – Waste and garbage disposal.

It is unlawful for any person in any manner to place or cause to be placed in the water of any fountain, pond, lake, bay, stream or other body of water in any park or into a storm sewer or drain flowing into such waters any substance, matter or thing which will or may result in pollution of the waters, nor shall any person bring into any park any rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse or leave such anywhere within the park. All waste and garbage generated within a park by picnic or other lawful means shall be placed in proper receptacles where such are provided; where receptacles are not provided, all such waste or garbage shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence, and properly disposed of elsewhere.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 14, 1971)

10.12.150 Building fires.

It is unlawful to build any fire in any park except in areas designated by the park director.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 15, 1971)

10.12.160 Liquor – Drugs.

It is unlawful to bring into or possess or consume in any park any narcotic, hallucinogen, or any other drug or substance that may cause irrational or unnatural behavior if consumed, injected into, breathed or otherwise administered to a human being or animal. Alcohol consumption is allowed only in contractually reserved areas of community centers, as designated by the director of parks and recreation. Consumption of any alcoholic beverages in specifically designated areas must be in compliance with any and all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and use agreements regulating those areas. Content of printed rules and regulations and contractual use agreements is vested in the director of parks and recreation. Use of alcohol in any other areas of the parks is strictly prohibited. Violation of or failure to comply with this provision is governed under Section 10.12.190.

(Ord. 6-B (1993), 1993: Ord. 6 (1971) § 16, 1971)

10.12.170 Violation of chapter.

It is unlawful to violate or fail to comply with any park rule or regulation duly posted by the park director, and the park director or any park attendant shall have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation of this chapter.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 17, 1971)

10.12.180 Aiding or abetting violators.

Anyone concerned in the violation of this chapter, whether directly or indirectly committing the thing that constitutes the offense, or who aids or abets the same, and whether present or absent; and anyone who directly or indirectly counsels, encourages, hires, commands, induces, or otherwise procures another to commit such offense, is and shall be a principal under the terms of this chapter and shall be proceeded against and prosecuted as such.

(Ord. 6 (1971) § 18, 1971)

10.12.190 Violation – Penalty.

Violation of any provision of this chapter is a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in Section 1.12.010 of this code.

(Ord. passed August 28, 1972: Ord. 6 (1971) § 19, 1971)