§ 11-51. Open space regulations.

The board of aldermen of the City of Shelton desires to provide a safe and healthy environment for all residents wishing to enjoy the open spaces of the City of Shelton. The regulations herein are designed to provide uniform understanding of permitted uses and prohibitions on property that has been designated by the board of aldermen as "city open space".

(1)

The operation of any motorized vehicles or vessels is prohibited on any city open space area, except official vehicles engaged in maintenance, emergency activities, or for handicapped accessibility.

(2)

No person shall park or store any motorized vehicle, bicycle, trailer or personal property on any city open space are of the City of Shelton, except in those areas set aside and designated as temporary parking.

(3)

All city open space areas shall be open from dawn to dusk unless the mayor or his designated representative has granted special permission to an individual or a group in writing to extend this time period.

(4)

Nonmotorized vessels may be used only in city open space areas approved for that purpose. No motorized vessels are allowed in any waters of the city open space unless required for emergency rescue or maintenance operations.

(5)

Swimming is not allowed in any city open space watercourse, pond or lake except as may be designated by the mayor or his designated representative.

(6)

Persons utilizing city open space areas shall be appropriately attired.

(7)

No person or organization shall camp overnight in any city open space area unless they have obtained written permission from the mayor or his designated representative.

(8)

No person or organization shall erect tents, or construct shelters or other structures of a temporary or permanent nature or hold any sponsored gathering or function in any city open space areas without the express written permission of the mayor or his designated representative.

(9)

No person shall light, kindle or use any fire on any city open space area except in receptacles installed for that purpose without the express written permission of the fire marshal.

(10)

Hunting, trapping, archery, discharging firearms, paintball guns, air guns or use of any weapon on or into any city open space area is prohibited. Hunters crossing city open space areas to gain access to private or state property may proceed through city open space areas only with an unloaded firearm.

(11)

No person shall offer any article or thing for sale in any city open space area unless the chief of police issues a permit for such activity, except that this does not apply to established parks and recreation department and board of education programs.

(12)

No person shall destroy, injure, herd, harvest or disturb any form of wildlife, plant life, or its habitat on any city open space area excluding state permitted fishing where specifically allowed.

(13)

No bottles, broken glass, cans, waste paper or other rubbish shall be left in any city open space area except in containers designated for that purpose. No yard waste leaves or refuse, may be deposited on city open space areas; and further, no residential or commercial dumping of any kind is permitted on city open space areas.

(14)

Ice skating and ice fishing will be allowed upon those bodies of water expressly designated for that purpose by the parks and recreation department and only after the safety of the ice has been confirmed by the mayor or his designated representative.

(15)

Mountain bikes or other nonmotorized vehicles may be used on designated city open space trails only and at no time may mountain bikes be used off said trails.

(16)

Dogs must be leashed at all times while within the city open space areas and owners must abide by City Ordinance No. 716, "Pooper Scooper Ordinance" [section 7-8 of this Code of Ordinances].

(17)

No person shall deface, mar, remove or otherwise intentionally damage any city open space area's property or any improvement made thereon.

(18)

No person shall use any alcoholic and/or drugs on any city open space area.

(Ord. No. 769, 2-13-03; Ord. No. 799, 8-10-06; Ord. No. 833, 12-14-07)