Athens City Code

It is unlawful for any person within the city park to:

1. (1) Swimming, etc. Swim, bathe or wade in any waters or waterways in or adjacent to such park unless so designated and clearly marked by signs.
2. (2) Boating. Bring into or operate a privately owned boat, raft or other watercraft, whether motor-powered or not, upon any waters in such park.
3. (3) Hunting and firearms. Hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time in violation of the state wildlife resources agency rules and regulations. No person shall carry a weapon on public parks, playgrounds, civic centers and other public recreational buildings and grounds. It is a civil offense for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any firearm of any description or air rifles, spring guns, bows and arrows, slings or any other form of weapon potentially inimical to wildlife and dangerous to human safety, or any instrument that can be loaded with and fire blank cartridges, or any kind of trapping device. Events sanctioned by the city for instructional, ceremonial or competitive purposes or for display or sales purposes are excluded from this prohibition. Bonded law enforcement officers retain full authority and are not prohibited by this section.
4. (4) Fishing. Fish without complying with the state fishing regulations as published by the state wildlife resources agency and any local rules or guidelines.
5. (5) Picnic areas.
   1. (a) Generally. Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose. Park employees shall have the authority to regulate the activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum use for the comfort and convenience of all. Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end.
   2. (b) Availability. Violate the regulation that use of the individual fireplaces/grills together with tables and benches follows generally the rule of "first come, first served."
   3. (c) Nonexclusive. Use any portion of the picnic areas or of any of the buildings or structures therein for the purpose of holding picnics to the exclusion of other persons, nor shall any person use such area and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded.
   4. (d) Duty of picnicker. Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers, cans, bottles, garbage and other refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available, then refuse and trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.
6. (6) Camping. Except as specifically set out below, set up tents, shacks or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping, or leave in a park after closing hours any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, such as house-trailer, camp-trailer, camp-wagon or the like. Overnight pup tent camping by organized groups sponsored by recognized youth development agencies is permissible by special permit of the director obtained in accordance with ACC 21-30(c).
7. (7) Games. Take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins or model airplanes, except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation. The playing of rough or comparatively dangerous games such as football, baseball and quoits is prohibited, except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor.

(Code 1972, § 12-706; Code 1995, § 20-306; Ord. No. 883, 10-16-2001)