Updated Park Rules

Sandy Municipal Code Sec. 12.12.050. – Parks rules.

A. Definitions

For purposes of this Section 12.12.050:

“Director” means the City Manager’s designee responsible for administering the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“Special Event” means an organized activity or gathering in a park, including but not limited to festivals, performances, tournaments, or private functions, requiring a permit due to its size, impact, or need for exclusive use of park facilities.

B. Protection of Park Property

a. No person shall dig up, cut, break, remove or deface any building, structure, sign, bush, tree, land, rock, or plant belonging to or growing within a public park in the city without written permission from the city. Chalk is considered defacing city assets. The use of chalk, confetti, silly string, water balloons, paintball guns, air soft guns, or any other devices or substances that mark, damage, or alter surfaces—including pavements and structures— or create litter, is prohibited and classified as vandalism. Any debris left behind from these activities is considered littering and is subject to enforcement actions.

b. It is prohibited for any person to remove, destroy, break, injure, mutilate or deface in any way any structure, monument, statue, vase, fountain, wall, fence, railing, vehicle, bench, tree, shrub, plant, flower or other property in any public park.

c. The prohibitions in this subsection shall not apply when the specific activity is approved by the Director, including but not limited to programs which permit the public to place and remove items, such as painted rocks, within park limits.

C. Use of Firearms and Explosives

No person shall discharge any destructive weapon, firearm, firecracker, torpedo or fireworks, or throw or place upon the ground any lighted match, cigar or any burning substance in any public park in the city. It is prohibited for a person to discharge fireworks, firecrackers, or explosives of any kind in a public park unless authorized to do so by the Director. No person shall have in their possession any loaded firearm in any public park in the city, except persons specifically authorized by ORS 166.173(2).

D. Fires

a. It is prohibited for any person to build campfires, or fires of any type, in public parks, except that in areas where barbecue pits or fireplaces are provided, fires may be built so long as they are contained within the provided facilities. Portable barbecues are allowed in designated areas in conjunction with a picnic shelter rental or special event permit.

b. In public parks, portable grills and heaters are permitted; however, only propane gas barbecues are allowed. Open flames, including portable gas fire pits, real fire pits, and charcoal grills, are prohibited. Each party or rental is limited to one propane gas barbecue unless additional units are authorized through a special event permit.

E. Motorized Vehicles

Use of motorized vehicles is prohibited in public parks with the following exceptions:

a. Wheelchairs

b. Special events for the purpose of loading and unloading.

c. Emergency vehicles

d. Service vehicles used by the City

e. As otherwise expressly allowed in designated areas or by written authorization from the City Manager or designee.

F. Non-Motorized Vehicles

a. It is prohibited for any person to use any rolling device such as a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, inline skates, etc., in a manner that may cause potential harm to other people, pets, wildlife, or park property, or on any sports fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, or off- leash areas, or other areas reserved for special events.

b. Use of bicycles, skates, skateboards, scooters, and other non-motorized, wheeled vehicles are allowed in designated areas only. Use is not permitted on any brickwork, ornamental surface, picnic table, tennis court, basketball court, fountain area, wading pool, planter, or sculpture located in public parks.

G. Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is prohibited in public parks unless otherwise posted.

H. Alcohol and Smoking

a. The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages in parks is prohibited unless expressly authorized by a valid OLCC permit and a City-issued Special Event Permit or other approved permit. In all cases, only individuals aged 21 or older are permitted to possess or consume alcohol. Permits, excluding those for City-sanctioned events, allow only the possession and consumption of beer and wine. The sale of alcohol is prohibited unless specifically authorized by an OLCC permit. The City Manager (or designee) may impose conditions and require financial security to ensure events are conducted safely and in accordance with public park use. Alcohol consumption or possession is strictly prohibited in Sandy River Park under all circumstances.

b. It is prohibited for any person to use tobacco or cannabis, or to smoke or vape any substance within any public park. This includes, but is not limited to, playgrounds, restrooms, spectator areas, picnic shelters, concession stands, parking lots, athletic fields, aquatic areas and trails.

I. Littering and Dumping Trash in Parks

a. Disposal of garbage that is a result of normal park recreation and lawful activities is allowed. It is prohibited for any persons to enter any public park with straw, dirt, chips, paper, shavings, shells, ashes, swill, or garbage or other rubbish or refuse or debris that has originated outside the park, for the purpose of disposing of any of the rubbish, refuse or debris in the park

b. All refuse, papers, and rubbish shall be placed in refuse/recycling containers provided for that purpose, and everyone who uses park facilities shall keep them and the premises clean, so as to leave them in orderly condition for the next user.

c. No person shall deposit into a public water feature any bubbling agents or dyes, or any objects or substances that would harm or hinder its function or endanger public safety. Materials used in the course of maintenance or operations by city staff or contractors are excepted.

J. Feeding of Animals

It is prohibited for any person to leave, place, or distribute foodstuffs of any kind or nature in any park, with an intent to feed livestock or wildlife; provided, this section shall not apply to the feeding of livestock or wildlife by City personnel.

K. Disturbing or Harming Animals

It is strictly prohibited for any person to use weapons, sticks, stones, missiles, or any other means to harm, injure, disturb, or harass any wild or domestic animal, bird, or fish within a public park. This includes actions that impact salmon grounds and salmon runs. Fishing is permitted only in designated areas. No person shall hunt, pursue, trap, kill, or disturb any animal or its habitat. The prohibitions in this rule shall not apply to city employees and agents acting in accordance with applicable City policy.

L. Amplified Sound

With the exception of City-approved and/or sponsored special events, no person shall cause or allow amplified sound to be played in a public park at a volume that can be heard more than 50 feet from its source without a permit. Additionally, amplified sound must not disrupt the enjoyment of the park by other users, even if it remains within the park boundaries. These restrictions aim to balance individual enjoyment with the collective experience of all park visitors.

M. Fishing, Hunting, and Bathing

It is prohibited for any person to fish, wade, swim or bathe in any public park where signs have been posted prohibiting these activities. Fishing must follow ODFW regulations. No person shall hunt in public parks.

N. Hazards and Nuisances

It is prohibited for any person to use a slingshot, javelin, shot put, discus, golf equipment, or archery equipment, in or upon any public park, except that any of the above equipment or devices may be used in areas specifically designated or provided for that particular use. It is also prohibited for any person to use equipment or engage in behavior in a park in a manner that may be hazardous or a nuisance to others or property.

O. Mutilation of Park Notices

It is prohibited for any person to injure, deface, or destroy any notice of the rules and regulations for the government of the parks, which have been posted by order or permit from the Director.

P. Pesticide Use

It is prohibited for any person to use pesticides, herbicides, or any other chemicals in or on park property except as authorized by the Director. This includes the community gardens, which are designated as pesticide-free zones.

Q. Public Art

It is prohibited for any person to remove, deface, or in any way injure or damage any work of art, statue, monument, memorial tablet or plaque, fountain, or any other ornamental structure in any public park. The addition of art to park property must receive approval from the Director.

R. Signs

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, it is prohibited for any person to place any structure, sign, bulletin board, or other device of any kind, or to erect any post or pole or attach any notice, bill, poster, sign, wire, rod, or cord on any tree, shrub, fence railing, fountain, wall, post, vase, statue, bridge, monument, or other structure in any public park.

S. Structures in Parks

a. Unless authorized in writing from the Director, and subject to the terms of a permit, if required, it is prohibited to excavate for, to erect or install, or to do any act as part of or commencement of excavation, erection, or installation for, a permanent or temporary structure or facility in or on any public park.

b. This subsection shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection of permanent or temporary covering or shelter in places designated for such purposes and subject to park regulations applicable to such designated places.

T. Trail Use

It is prohibited to alter or demolish existing or build new trails without written approval from the Director.

U. Protection and Handling of Park Vegetation and Property

It is prohibited for any person other than city personnel to bring upon any public park or possess while therein, any tree, shrub, or plant or any newly-plucked branch or leaf or tree, shrub or plant, unless authorized by the city.

V. Animals Running at Large

It is prohibited for any person to permit any dog, other pet, or livestock in any area of a public park designated and posted by the City Manager or Director as a game refuge,

sanctuary or reserve, or to permit such dog or other pet to molest or disturb wildlife therein or the nest or breeding place of any such wildlife, or to permit any dog or other pet to enter any other area that the City Manager or Director has posted as a place prohibited to animals.

W. Domestic Animals in Parks

a. Dogs and other domestic animals are not allowed in public parks unless leashed and controlled by the owner or keeper at all times, except in areas designated by sign as "off leash."

b. Owners or keepers must promptly remove and properly dispose of excrement and other solid waste deposited by the animal.

c. No grooming of pets is permitted in public parks.

d. All dogs in public parks that have a set of permanent canine teeth must be licensed and current in vaccinations. The owner or keeper of the dog shall be found in violation of this rule if the dog is not wearing its collar and vaccination tag.

e. Dogs and other domestic animals are not allowed on athletic fields unless authorized by the Director.

f. It is prohibited for any person to allow any animal in his or her custody or control to annoy, molest, attack, or injure any person or animal in a public park.

g. No person shall tie up any animal in his or her custody or control and leave such animal unattended in a public park.

X. Parking and Use of Parking Areas

a. Use of parking areas in public parks is restricted to users of the associated park. It is prohibited to block paths, trails, sidewalks, parking lots or parking spaces, or driveways without approval from the Director.

b. It is prohibited for any person to operate or park a motor vehicle in any public park outside of the designated parking area without written approval from the Director.

c. It is unlawful for a person to leave a motor vehicle parked in any parking area overnight or during any time the public park is closed without written approval from the Director. This rule does not apply to City maintenance or public works vehicles or those of contractors authorized by the City to perform work in a park property.

d. It is prohibited to ride, propel, drive or direct any motorized vehicle over any street, drive or parkway in any public park in excess of 15 miles per hour when no speed limit is posted, or in excess of any posted speed limit.

Y. Prohibited Camping

Camping is prohibited in all parks, trails, and areas designated as parks and open space (POS) unless expressly authorized under Sandy Municipal Code Chapter 8.35.

Z. Fighting

No person shall engage in, sponsor, or conduct fighting, boxing, wrestling or similar forms of mutual combat in a public park. However, boxing and wrestling matches and exhibitions that are regulated and licensed by the Oregon State Boxing and Wrestling

Commission, or boxing and wrestling conducted by organizations identified in ORS

463.210 as exempt from the licensing and bonding provisions or ORS Chapter 463, may be held in public parks upon the approval of the City Manager. The City Manager may impose such conditions upon such events, and require such financial security in connection therewith, so as to assure that such events are conducted in a safe manner and consistent with the use of parks by the public.

AA. Commercial Activity

a. It is prohibited for any person to engage in any commercial activity in a public park except as approved by the Director pursuant to a reservation of park facilities or authorization of vendors for City-sponsored events that provide services pursuant to a contract with the City.

b. It is prohibited for any person to solicit, sell or peddle any goods, services, wares, merchandise, liquids or edibles for human consumption in any public park, except by permit issued by the City Manager or the Director.

BB. Geocaching

Geocaching containers must be clearly labeled as "Official Geocache" before placement in any public park and require prior written approval from the Director.

CC. Metal detectors

Use of metal detectors in public parks is prohibited without written approval from the Director.

DD. Planes and drones

Operation of motorized models (including remote control cars), planes, and drones is prohibited in public parks unless written approval has been granted by the City Manager or designee, or the activity takes place in a designated area approved by the City Manager or designee.

EE. Parks Hours and Closure

a. All parks shall be closed to the public and visitors excluded from dusk until dawn except as otherwise posted, or as otherwise determined by the City Manager or designee, during special events, or with prior written approval from the City Manager or designee. The Director may establish exceptions for Jonsrud Viewpoint for special weather events or exceptional photo opportunities.

b. Any part or all of a public park may be closed to the public by the following persons for the following reasons:

i. The Fire Marshal may order a closure if the Marshal believes continued public use could create or exacerbate a fire hazard.

ii. The Director may order a closure if the Director believes that construction activity or other conditions on the property creates a risk of harm to the public, or believes that public use would create a risk of harm to a public park.

iii. The City Manager may order a closure if the Manager believes that closure is in the best interests of the City.