CITY OF CIRCLEVILLE
PARK BOARD
PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS
Adopted under the authority of O.R.C. 755.07

CHAPTER 1 – HOURS

CHAPTER 2 – SHELTERS

CHAPTER 3 – SPEED/TRAFFIC/MOTORIZED VEHICLES/HORSES

CHAPTER 4 – HANDICAPPED PARKING

CHAPTER 5 – SIGNS ON PARK PREMISES/HANDBILLS

CHAPTER 6 – ALCOHOL

CHAPTER 7 – SMOKING

CHAPTER 8 – FIRES

CHAPTER 9 – LOITERING

CHAPTER 10 – ENGINE POWERED/TOY AIRPLANES

CHAPTER 11 – FIREARMS/WEAPONS

CHAPTER 12 – RULES OF CONDUCT

CHAPTER 13 – TENNIS COURTS

CHAPTER 14 – CAMPING

CHAPTER 15 – FISHING

CHAPTER 16 – ANIMALS

CHAPTER 17 – NATURAL RESOURCES

CHAPTER 18 – WATER AREAS

CHAPTER 19 – GENERAL

CHAPTER 20 – SPORTS PARTICIPATION

CHAPTER 21 – SPECIAL EVENTS

CHAPTER 22 – ENFORCEMENT

As provided under the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 755 and in accordance with 755.07 the City of Circleville Park Board has the right to create and enforce the following rules and regulations.

version 3.00 8212018

CHAPTER 1 – HOURS

1. All parks are open from dawn to dark year around, except for Ted Lewis Park and Barthelmas Park recreational activities are available after dark with the use of lights until 11:00 p.m. Authorized patrons will be instructed as to how to turn off lights upon leaving.
2. The Office is open during normal business days from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Park concessions, bathrooms, and other facilities, except for MVCH, will be closed from November 1 (or after the last scheduled sports activity) to March 1 of the following year.

CHAPTER 2 – SHELTERS

1. Shelter house hours are dawn to dark, with the exception of Starkey Pavilion. The Starkey Pavilion has two reservation times from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
2. Reservations are necessary for all shelter houses. Reservations must be submitted on the required reservation form available at https://circlevilleoh.gov/form-center/ or at the Service Department Office. Payment must accompany shelter reservation. Reservation is not valid without payment. Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance for the following year by calling the Office. Reservations cannot be carried from year-to-year.
3. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. If cancellation is requested more than 30 days from the event, a full refund of less than a $10 administrative fee shall be granted. If cancellation is requested between 14 and 29 days from the event a 50% refund is refunded. If cancellation is requested less than 13 days from the event there is no refund.
4. There is a $10.00 administrative fee per change to the date or location of a processed rental.
5. Fees will not be refunded if the event is canceled due to inclement weather.
6. Request to waive shelter fee must be submitted in writing to the Park Board at least 30 days in advance of reservation date, along with a $25 ($100 for Starkey Pavilion) damage/cleanup deposit. The damage/cleanup deposit will not be refunded if the reservation is canceled less than 10 days prior to the event.
7. Persons failing to use the reserved shelter houses at their designated time may not be permitted future reservations.
8. Use of food trucks, bouncy houses, pop up canopies, etc. and other similar equipment/uses are prohibited.
9. It is understood that the group/organization using the parks, pavilion and shelters will comply with the laws of the State of Ohio, the City of Circleville, and all rules and regulations set forth by the Circleville Park Board. Shelter rules and regulations are listed in Appendix A.

CHAPTER 3 – SPEED/TRAFFIC/MOTORIZED VEHICLES/HORSES

1. Unless authorized below, the only motorized vehicles permitted on park property are non-commercial passenger automobiles, trucks and motorcycles. Minibikes, mopeds, snowmobiles, ATV’s and dirt bikes are not permitted on park property.
2. All vehicles must be operated in a legal and safe manner. No skidding or spinning tires is permitted.
3. Drivers must obey all traffic signs.
4. No one shall operate a motor vehicle except on paths or roads designated unless otherwise authorized.
5. Parking is permitted only in designated areas. No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle except in the areas off the road which are specifically designated.
6. Motorized vehicles may not be left in the park after hours.
7. Unauthorized motorized vehicles are not permitted on the Recreational trails.
8. Bicycles are permitted on the Park roads and on the designated recreational trails. Bicycles or other motorized vehicles may not be ridden off of the paved surfaces in the parks.
9. The speed limit is 10 miles per hour in all parks.
10. Skateboarding is not permitted in the City parks, except in the designated skateboarding area.
11. Motorized vehicles not parked in designated areas will be subject to towing and citation for being in violation of this provision or another provision of these rules.
12. No person shall drive a vehicle in a park on a road or path in a direction other than that indicated by traffic signs.
13. No person shall drive or propel any vehicle along or over the park road in a reckless manner without due regard for the safety of pedestrians, drivers, and all other occupants of any vehicle.

CHAPTER 4 – HANDICAPPED PARKING

1. Park visitors shall adhere to Ohio Revised Code in regard to handicap parking.

CHAPTER 5 – SIGNS ON PARK PREMISES/HANDBILLS

1. No person shall post, print, affix, distribute, deliver, place, cast or leave about any bill, billboard, placard, ticket, handbill, circular or advertisement in any City Park.
2. Persons desiring to place signs on a fence or other park property to advertise a special event or cause must apply to the Service Department for permission to place signs. A maximum of two signs, up to 3’ x 5’ each, for the same event or cause may be placed for a maximum of thirty (30) days during a calendar year. Signs must be removed within three days following the event.

1. MVCH signs to be located at the corner of Northridge and Pontius Road only. Signs are not to block the park signage.
2. Ted Lewis signs to be located at the corner of Ted Lewis Drive and Picnic Avenue near Shelter House #2.
3. Barthelmas Park signs to be located at the corner of Kingston Pike and McGuire Drive. Signs are not to infringe on soccer fields.

CHAPTER 6 – ALCOHOL

1. Beverages or food containing alcohol may not be brought into the City parks and may not be consumed on park property.

CHAPTER 7 – SMOKING

1. Smoking is prohibited in all City Parks.

CHAPTER 8 – FIRES

1. Fires are permitted in grills for cooking purposes and in fire rings where prohibited. Fires must be attended at all times and properly contained and extinguished. Wood may not be collected from park property for any reason. Portable stoves or grills may not be placed on picnic tables. Burning material or hot coals or ashes may NOT be placed on the grass, plants, in bodies of water or in refuse containers. Patrons should allow coals or ashes to cool completely and should carry these out of the parks for disposal.

CHAPTER 9 – LOITERING

1. No person shall loiter, delay, or stand idly around in the vicinity of a restroom located in the park. No person shall enter facilities in a park provided for the exclusive use of the opposite sex.
2. No person shall loiter in designated parking areas.

CHAPTER 10 – ENGINE POWERED/TOY AIRPLANES

1. No person shall operate any engine powered model or toy airplane or other vehicle without the written authorization of the Service Director with Park Board approval. The Park Board has the discretion of determining whether or not authorization should be given based on other activities in the area, may limit the time and place of such activity, and require proof of any necessary licensing.

CHAPTER 11 – FIREARMS/WEAPONS

1. Except as stated in Part (b) below, no dangerous ordinance, air rifle, slingshot, missile or missile throwing device, switchblade knife, gravity knife, snare, trap or other weapon defined in City Codified Ordinance § 549.02 is permitted on park property.
2. Persons may carry firearms only in accordance with federal, state and local law.
3. Discharging a firearm in a park is prohibited by O.R.C. § 3773.21.

CHAPTER 12 – RULES OF CONDUCT

1. No person using the park shall use profane, obscene, threatening or indecent language or shall act in an obscene or indecent manner.
2. No person shall damage, deface or befoul any land, structure, or fixture of a city park, nor shall any tree, flower, shrub, rock or other mineral be removed, injured or destroyed.
3. Persons in the park must conduct themselves in such a way as to not disturb the peace and quiet of the park and surrounding neighborhood.
4. No person shall play a radio or other sound amplification device so loud as to be an annoyance to other people in the park or to nearby residents. No person shall use any sound amplification device audible more than twenty (20) feet from the device without a City Noise Variance Permit. No speakers, amplifiers or similar equipment shall be displayed outside of a vehicle.
5. Persons using the parks are expected to exercise reasonable care of the park property and to clean the area before leaving and to dispose of trash (preferably by carrying out of the park for disposal at home all trash that was carried into the Park).
6. No person shall deposit any garbage, ashes, sewage, refuse, earth or any other waste material other than in receptacles provided for such purpose.
7. No person shall hit a golf ball or swing a golf club on any park property.
8. No person shall remain within a park who does not abide by conditions adopted and posted by the Park Board for the preservation of good order and the protection of property within the park.
9. No person shall remain within a park who does not abide by the instructions of a duly authorized peace officer or agent of the Park Board, in the lawful performance of their duties.
10. Any person directed by a peace officer, park employees or other agents of the Board to leave the park shall do so promptly and peaceably.
11. No person in a park shall willfully assault or commit bodily injury upon another or engage in or abet or aid in any fight, quarrel or other disturbance. No person or groups of persons shall assemble in or adjacent to a park for any unlawful purpose or in riotous assemblage or with intent to annoy, harass or inflict property damage or bodily injury upon a person or persons or inflict damage to a park. No person with the intent to do so shall willfully interfere with, disrupt or prevent the conduct of any recreational program, event or activity conducted by or having been scheduled through the Parks and Recreation Department.
12. All persons shall give full consideration and regard to the rights and privileges of others.

CHAPTER 13 – TENNIS COURTS

1. Only tennis players wearing tennis shoes shall be permitted on the courts.
2. If players are waiting, the time limit is one (1) hour.
3. Violation of the rules in this Chapter may result in forfeiture of the violator’s use of the courts for up to one month following the violations.
4. Tennis courts may be closed when poor weather warrants.

CHAPTER 14 – CAMPING

1. No person shall camp in any park.

CHAPTER 15 – FISHING

1. Fishing is not permitted.

CHAPTER 16 – ANIMALS

1. Dogs and cats are permitted if they’re controlled at all times and on a leash no more than eight (8) feet long. Owners are responsible for cleaning up any animal waste left by their animals in the parks.
2. No person shall bring, permit, have or keep in the park, any dog, cat, household pet, or other animal destructive to birds and other wildlife.
3. No person shall manhandle, maim, kill or otherwise mistreat or abuse any animal, fish or bird within park property.
4. No person shall release or abandon any animal, fish or bird upon or adjacent to park property without prior approval of the Service Director and Park Board.
5. Trapping and removal of native and non-native animals to preserve native wildlife and habitats may be accomplished by Service personnel or wildlife/animal control officers.
6. No person being the owner or having charge of a dog, cat or other animal shall permit the dog, cat or other animal to be present in areas designated or posted as play areas within a park.
7. The City shall have the right to impound or destroy a feral or diseased animal.
8. Dog park rules are posted in the park and listed in Appendix BC.

CHAPTER 17 – NATURAL RESOURCES

1. No person shall cut trees or disturb the natural environment.
2. Removal, damage or defacing of buildings, structures, natural features, plants, flowers and lawn areas is prohibited.
3. No person in a Park shall install or plant any materials except with a permit from the Director. No Person shall dig, move or carry away any rock, stone, sod, sand, earth, tree, wood, shrub, plant, flower, nut or other seed in a park.
4. No one shall climb, stand or sit upon the monuments, vases, planters, fountains, railings, fences or any other property not designated or customarily used for such purpose, or upon natural features.
5. Lawn pesticides and herbicides may be applied periodically by the Parks Department under manufacturer’s or any required guidelines and procedures. Call the Service Department for more information about when and where pesticides and herbicides are being applied.

CHAPTER 18 – WATER AREAS

1. No one shall throw, discharge or otherwise place or caused to be placed in the waters of any fountains, ponds, lakes, streams or other bodies of water in or adjacent to any park, or any tributary, stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such water, any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said waters.
2. No person shall operate, float or attempt to float a rubber craft, sailboat, rowboat, or watercraft of any kind in park waters.
3. No person shall bathe, swim, wade or enter into any waters within a park. No person shall ice skate on (frozen) park waters.

CHAPTER 19 – GENERAL

1. No one shall possess or use any type of metal detection device in the public parks. No one shall excavate, dig or remove sod, turf or soil in the public works of the city without authority from the City.
2. The Park Board and the City of Circleville will not be responsible for the loss or damage of personal property.

CHAPTER 20 – SPORTS PARTICIPATION

1. All organized sports leagues wishing to use the parks are required to submit a Request for Use Application along with $2,000,000 Certificate of Insurance for permission to utilize any City park.
2. Due to the high cost of energy, lights cannot be turned on until deemed necessary by the Park Board or the Umpire-in-Chief. Each league officer is responsible for turning off lights and locking up bases.

1. On all lighted fields, no inning (or equivalent period) will start after 10:30 p.m.
2. No one is permitted on any athletic fields during inclement weather.
3. Sponsor signs may be placed on fencing around the athletic fields. Sponsor signs must be removed within 10 days after the completion of the season.

1. No ball practice, peppers, or warm-up in the grass areas around the shelters, on the roads, or around the playgrounds. At Ted Lewis Park, this includes the areas between shelter #1 and #2 and east side of Picnic Alley; and at Barthelmas Park, the area around the shelter house and playground equipment.

CHAPTER 21 – SPECIAL EVENTS

1. Anyone wanting to utilize any park for a special event such as a 5k walk/run, weekend tournaments, etc. are required to submit a Request for Use Application along with a $2,000,000 Certificate of Insurance for permission and a $250.00 damage/clean-up deposit.
2. Amplified Music will require a Noise Variance and Community Events must have prior approval.
3. The special event must rent all shelter houses in the park during event hours.
4. Marking on the trails or roadways for special events must be water soluble paint (wash off within 1 or 2 rain events).
5. Food trucks, bouncy houses, pop up canopies and other similar equipment/uses must be preapproved by the Park Board for any special events.

CHAPTER 22 – ENFORCEMENT

1. The City of Circleville Police Department, upon probable cause, is hereby authorized to issue citations for violations of any provision in these rules where a penalty may be levied upon a person found to have violated said provision.
2. Any person repeatedly violating any rule or regulation may lose the privilege of entering a park for a period of days, weeks, months or years. Police Officers, Park Board members, and Service employees may order any person violating any of the provisions of the Rules and Regulations to leave a park and not re-enter for a period of up to one month without Park Board approval and no person shall fail to obey such an order.
3. The Service Director and Park Board, at their discretion may ban repeat violators of these rules for periods of longer than one month. This action must be ratified by the Park Board at its next regular meeting after review of testimony presented by the Service employee or Police Officer and, if they desire, by testimony or other evidence presented by the person(s) being banned.