CHAPTER 2.85: PARKS, RECREATION, AND TRAILS SYSTEM

Section

2.85.010    Fees

2.85.015    Trailhead parking regulations

2.85.020    Closures and restrictions

2.85.030    Definitions

2.85.010 FEES.

(A)    The assembly may establish fees for use of campgrounds, day use areas and other public facility uses.

(B)    The assembly may establish fees for swimming pool use, rental, instructional, and other programs at the indoor swimming pool facilities.

(C)    The assembly may establish fees for ice rental, skate rental, instructional, and other programs at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena and other ice skating facilities operated by the borough.

(D)    The assembly may establish fees for the use of maintained or groomed trail systems.

(Ord. 02-086AM, § 2 (part), 2002)

2.85.015 TRAILHEAD PARKING REGULATIONS.

(A)    This section applies to trailhead parking areas within the boundaries of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

(B)    A listing of all trailhead parking areas requiring a fee shall be available online on the borough’s website and available in the borough’s community development office. In addition, signs displaying “Parking Fee Required” will be posted at all trailhead parking areas which require a fee.

(C)    Prohibition Against Parking Without Paying Fee.

(1)    Operator Liable. A person may not park a motor vehicle or other equipment in trailhead parking areas unless:

(a)    The person pays a day use fee and displays proof of the same; or

(b)    The person obtains and displays a valid annual parking pass on their vehicle.

(2)    Owner of Vehicle Liable. In addition to the operator of the vehicle, the owner of any vehicle used in violation of subsection (C)(1) of this section is guilty of an infraction.

(D)    Enforcement and Penalties.

(1)    Pursuant to MSB 1.45.090, the borough manager shall authorize administrative officials who may issue, file, and serve citations for violations of the provisions of this section.

(2)    Except as otherwise specified in this section violations are infractions.

(3)    Remedies, enforcement actions, and penalties specified in this section shall be consistent with the terms and provision of MSB 1.45.

(Ord. 21-035 § 2, 2021)

2.85.020 CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS.

(A)    The manager may close or restrict campground day use and other public facility areas because of environmental, health, seasonal, safety concerns, or other valid reasons.

(B)    The manager may close or restrict indoor swimming pool facilities because of health or safety concerns and for maintenance or construction conditions where an unsafe or health condition may result to the public or other valid reasons.

(C)    The manager may close or restrict ice facility use because of health or safety concerns and for maintenance or construction conditions where an unsafe or health condition may result to the public or other valid reasons.

(D)    Except as provided in MSB 24.05.110, borough-owned property which is part of the Crevasse Moraine system, Lazy Mountain Recreation Area, Matanuska River Park, Alcantra Athletic Complex, West Bodenburg Butte, and Jordan Lake Park is closed to trapping, attempting to trap, or aiding and abetting in trapping any wild or domesticated animal to prevent conflicts and ensure safety. Trapping in this area is allowed if the individual is performing an educational demonstration, pursuant to a borough-issued permit, and the traps are removed at the end of the day the presentation began.

(1)    The borough will prepare and keep current a map of the borough-owned recreation lands including the Crevasse Moraine system, Lazy Mountain Recreation Area, Matanuska River Park, Alcantra Athletic Complex, West Bodenburg Butte, and Jordan Lake Park showing the borough-owned property areas where trapping is not allowed pursuant to this section. A copy of the map shall be provided to any person upon request.

(2)    The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Department of Public Safety, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or their authorized agents or designees may trap animals within the area.

(3)    This section shall not apply to property owned by other entities within the Crevasse Moraine system, Lazy Mountain Recreation Area, Matanuska River Park, Alcantra Athletic Complex, West Bodenburg Butte, and Jordan Lake Park. This section shall not apply to the trapping or capturing of rats, mice, shrews, or similar vermin. This section shall not apply to the possession or transportation of traps.

(4)    Violation of this section shall be punishable as set forth in MSB 1.45.

(E)    The manager may close or restrict additional trails because of environmental, seasonal, safety concerns, or other valid reasons and may restrict certain uses to avoid trail conflicts or safety concerns.

(Ord. 17-021 § 7, 2017; Ord. 02-086AM, § 2 (part), 2002)

2.85.030 DEFINITIONS.

“Trap” means any device designed or used to capture or hold an animal and that operates without direct human control. This includes any device for catching and holding wild or domesticated animals including, but not limited to, snares, nets, pitfalls, or clamp-like devices that spring shut suddenly.

“Trapping” means the placing or setting of a trap. It does not include the possession or transportation of traps.

(Ord. 17-021, § 8, 2017)