HAMBURG TOWNSHIP
PARKS AND RECREATION

PARK FACILITY USE POLICY

PARK FACILITY USE POLICY -PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION - .PDF FILE

PARK FACILITY USE APPLICATION - .PDF FILE

INTENT

To provide for the use, protection, regulation and control of the Hamburg Township (Township) park and park facilities, and other matters concerning recreation and matters related to the use of and conduct on park property.

PUBLIC USE AND HOURS

Both active and passive recreational activities are permitted in the parks within designated areas. This shall include field sports in the ball fields area; playground activities in the playground area; picnics and gatherings in the pavilion areas; hiking and other events as approved or specifically permitted by Hamburg Township.

The Township may designate from time to time portions of the park for specific uses. Certain facilities within the park, such as the ball fields, pavilions, basketball courts, etc., may be reserved for use by individuals or organizations by permit from the Township. Such actions shall be subject to use fees and other specific rules and regulations adopted by the Township.

No person or vehicle shall remain upon property administered by or under the jurisdiction of Hamburg Township between posted closing times and sunrise excepting at designated special use areas, provided however, that upon application to the Township, said hours may be extended.

PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY AND NATURAL FEATURES

1. No person shall injure, deface, or disturb any part of the park nor any building, sign, equipment or other property found therein; nor shall any tree, shrub, rock or other mineral be removed, injured or destroyed . No golf practice is permitted in the park area.

2. No person shall deposit, or permit to be deposited, in any part of the park, any garbage, sewage, household refuse, waste or other noxious material otherwise than in receptacles provided for such purposes. No glass containers are permitted in the park area.

3. No person shall willfully set or cause to be set on fire any tree, woodland, brushland, grassland or meadow within or upon the park property without written approval of the Township Board. No person shall build any fire upon Township park property except within receptacles provided and designated by the Township for such purposes. Special approval from the Township Board is required for special event bonfires.

4. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigars, cigarettes, tobacco paper or other flammable materials within or upon any Township park property. Burning material or hot ashes may not be dumped into any trash containers or elsewhere within the boundaries of the Township park unless such container or locality is marked as a receptacle for such material.

PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE

1. No person within the confines of the park, unless authorized by written permit of the Township Board, shall hunt, pursue with dogs, trap or in any other way molest any wild bird or animal found within the confines of the park, or therein rob or molest any bird nest or take the eggs of any bird.

2. No persons, except employees or officers of the Township, shall carry firearms of any description, or air rifle, or slingshot, or bow within the park, or discharge any firearms, fireworks or explosive substances, or air rifle therein without specific permit from the Township.

3. No person shall bring, drive, lead or carry any dog or other animal or pet which is unleashed, or upon a leash more than six feet in length, upon Township park property. This does not apply to leader dogs for the blind or to dogs under control of the Township.

TRAFFIC CONTROL

1. No person shall drive, propel or cause to be driven, along or over any road within the park, any vehicle at a rate of speed greater than 15 mph; nor shall any motor vehicle be driven in a reckless manner or in a manner to endanger the life, limb or property of pedestrians or the driver or occupants of other vehicles, or any other person.

2. No vehicle shall be driven in the park except upon roads designated for that purpose.

3. No person shall operate, or have in his possession within the boundaries of the Township park any off-road motor driven vehicle, including by way of example but not by way of limitation, any mini-bike, motorcycle, dune buggy, snowmobile, or all-terrain vehicle. These types of vehicles may be used by management and security personnel during special events approved by the Township Board.

4. Parking shall be in designated parking areas only. Vehicles parked in unauthorized parking areas will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense.

SPORTS, GAMES, ACTIVITES AND OTHER USES

Baseball/Softball, Football, Soccer

Organized sports groups are permitted use of the park facilities by approved application only. Use forms must be completed and submitted to the Hamburg Township Clerk 60 days prior to the beginning of the sport season together with a current insurance certificate naming Hamburg Township as “additional insured” for the period of time requesting approved usage. Hamburg based local groups ( i.e. Football, Baseball/Softball, Soccer, Flyer’s Club, H.E.R.O., etc.) are granted priority provided the use forms and insurance certificates are submitted 60 days prior to the beginning of the season. Priority for reserving the park facilities are:

Level I Requests by the Hamburg Township Recreation Board.

Level II Hamburg Community recreation organizations and Township recognized and endorsed non-profit organizations and any other Hamburg community-based groups recognized by the Hamburg Township Board and/or the Rec Board.

Any organization wishing to register for Level II usage must have:

6. Must provide annual financial reports compiled in a manner acceptable to the National Association of Certified Public Accountants. Failure to provide the required financial information shall be taken before the Hamburg Township Board of Trustees for review and a decision on future use of the Hamburg Township park facilities.

Level III Youth and/or adult athletic teams that are affiliated with youth or adult athletic organizations not recognized by Hamburg Township and the Rec Board.

Level IV All other groups.

For organized sports groups seasonal use the following rates apply:

• Spring Season $5.00 per participant
• Summer Season $5.00 per participant
• Fall Season $5.00 per participant
• Winter Season $5.00 per participant

Each organization is required to submit a registration list to the Township Clerk within 30 days after the season begins. The fees will be calculated, invoiced and due within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. An organization with delinquent fees will not be approved for field usage until all moneys owed are paid in full.

All participants of organized sports groups and non-sports groups are required to sign a waiver of liability form (attached to the use form) which must be submitted to the Township Clerk prior to participating in any sporting activity or event.

Sponsoring organizations will be responsible for cleaning up after their activities. All papers and trash are to be placed in the proper receptacles. The park facility is to be returned to the same condition it was found following event completion.

Sponsoring organizations (the group issued a park use permit) shall provide sufficient, competent adult supervision for all activities. Proper use of the facilities will be enforced. All groups will be responsible for any damage occurring during their use.

Organized non-sport groups (i.e. Hamburg Flyer’s Club) using the facility year-round for their activities shall pay $5.00 per participant per year for park use.

Special Events

Special events such as tournaments, fund raisers, etc. are permitted by approved application only. Use forms must be completed and submitted to the Hamburg Township Clerk 60 days prior to the planned event together with a current insurance certificate naming Hamburg Township as additional insured.

For all special events where fees are charged to participate, the following park use fees may apply:

• Tournaments $1.00 per participant
• Special Events 10% of proceeds (appropriate
• documentation of proceeds will be required)

No person or organization shall, within the boundaries of the Township park, advertise, offer for hire, vend or sell any service, food, beverage, merchandise or other personal property or advertise, carry on or conduct any other business, commercial, or fund-raising activity without the written permission of the Hamburg Township Board (an approved Use Form).

If food and/or beverages are approved to be served, the applicant will be responsible for any and all health department permits, approvals, and licenses and must provide copies of such to the Township Clerk prior to the scheduled event.

Reservations/approvals for any event (sports or special) are not transferable.

If the park facility use rules set forth in this policy are not abided by, the use privilege may be revoked.