Section Index

THE LORAIN COUNTY METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT, by and through the BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS, resolve that in accordance with authority granted in Section 1545.09 of the Ohio Revised Code, and further under the authority granted in Chapter 1545 of the Ohio Revised Code, the use of the parks, reservations, parkways, boulevards, grounds, recreation areas, nature preserves, buildings, shelters and other lands, structures and areas owned or controlled by the Lorain County Metropolitan Park District shall be under and subject to the rules and regulations as set forth and adopted herein and the Director/Secretary and such authorized and duly appointed employees of the Park District shall be charged with the obligation and duty to enforce such Rules and Regulations as herein adopted. Further, any person violating any of such rules or regulations shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be assessed penalties for misdemeanors in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code 1545.99. Provided, however, nothing contained herein shall prevent violators from being charged or penalized under other provisions of Ohio Revised Code, municipal ordinance or other applicable laws, rules or regulations.

The following terms as used in the rules and regulations herein shall mean:

• "Park" means any and all land and waters owned or controlled by the Board of Park Commissioners of the Lorain County Metropolitan Park District.


• "Board" means the Board of Park Commissioners of the Lorain County Metropolitan Park District, or its designated representative.


• "Director" means the Executive Director of the Lorain County Metropolitan Park District.


• "Person" includes persons and corporations.


• "Designee" means any employee of the Park District assigned specific tasks or delegated authority by the Board in the absence of the Director.


• "Special function" means any function so designated and defined by the Director. "Special function designated area" means any area so defined or limited by the Director.

Section Index

1.0 COMPLIANCE TO RULES, SIGNS, ORDERS REQUIRED
2.0 PERMITS
3.0 HOURS OF OPERATION AND CLOSING
4.0 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
5.0 DEFACEMENT, DESTRUCTION, REMOVAL OR DISTURBANCE OF PARK PROPERTY
6.0 RELEASING OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS PROHIBITED
7.0 LITTER, DUMPING, IMPORTING, REFUSE
8.0 FIREARMS, FIREWORKS, EXPLOSIVES, DANGEROUS WEAPONS, DANGEROUS
9.0 PEDDLING, SOLICITING - GIFTS, DONATIONS, COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES
10.0 ADVERTISING AND SIGNS
11.0 INDECENT CONDUCT, EXPOSURE, AND SOLICITATION
12.0 DISORDERLY BEHAVIOR
13.0 DOGS, CATS AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD PETS
14.0 SWIMMING/USE OF AQUATIC SPORTING EQUIPMENT
15.0 SLEDDING, SKIING AND SKATING
16.0 TRAFFIC
17.0 GOLFING
18.0 PLAY EQUIPMENT
19.0 CAMPING
20.0 ALL PURPOSE, ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES
21.0 RAPPELLING, ROCK CLIMBING, THROWING OBJECTS
22.0 USE OF PARK STRUCTURES, AREAS
23.0 HORSE RIDING
24.0 AIRCRAFT, BALLOON, PARACHUTE, ETC.
25.0 MODEL TOYS
26.0 BOATING
27.0 TRAILS
28.0 FIRES
29.0 HUNTING, FISHING AND MOLESTING OF ANIMAL
30.0 ENCROACHMENT
31.0 PETS
32.0 EJECTION(S) OF PERSONS FROM PARK PROPERTIES
33.0 SPECIAL FACILITY REGULATIONS
34.0 ABANDONED PERSONAL PROPERTY
35.0 PERMITS
CONCLUSION

1.0 COMPLIANCE TO RULES, SIGNS, ORDERS REQUIRED
1.1 It shall be the responsibility of any individual entering park controlled lands or waters to be aware of and obey all Park Rules of Conduct, and that failure to comply with those rules, posted or not, may result in the issuance of a citation(s), expulsion from park grounds, or arrest.
1.2 Park employees are authorized to issue reasonable orders or directives to park visitors when in the employee's opinion an activity being conducted by the visitor constitutes a hazard, endangers the personal safety of the participants or other park visitors or causes threat of damage to park facilities or natural resources, or endangers the good order in the park.
1.3 No person shall fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order given by a Ranger or Police Officer acting under authority of law.
1.4 No person shall commit a nuisance or obstruction or use abusive or insulting language toward or harass any employee or volunteer of the Park District.
ORC 2921.31, 32 Obstructing 2917 Section
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2.0 PERMITS
No Person Shall:
2.1 Conduct or participate in any special activity, event, meeting, parade, or other organized activity without first obtaining a permit and submitting any necessary fees or charges. At the discretion of the Director, usage fees may be waived or reduced. Fees paid for the use of a facility may be refunded in accordance with established refund policy.
2.2 Fail to comply with the terms and conditions of issuance of such a permit.
2.3 Fail to present a permit upon request to any law enforcement officer, Park Manager or designee for verification.
2.4 Refuse to leave an area that they hold a permit for, if ordered to do so by the Ranger, Director, or his designee.
2.5 No event or activity sponsored or promoted by a person or organization shall be permitted if the Director or designee finds and determines it will constitute hazards and dangers to the personal safety of the participants or other park visitors, cause serious threat of damage to park facility, endanger peace and good order in the parks, interfere with the regular and normal use of the facilities and activities by park visitors, is inconsistent with the appropriate use of the park as defined herein or by policy or directives.
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3.0 HOURS OF OPERATION AND CLOSING
3.1 No person shall enter, remain, stop, or park within the confines of the park, after dusk or posted closing hours unless participating in an authorized park program.
3.2 No person shall be permitted to enter, remain, or park within any park when that area has been closed by the Director or his designee. Area can be closed if determined to be hazardous for the public use because of weather, water, fire, construction, or other situation involving public health, safety or welfare, or to ensure the safety and good order of the Park or facilitate the management and protection of natural resources within the park.
3.3 Vehicles that are parked or left unattended in a park beyond the hours of closing as described in this section are subject to removal at the owners expense.
3.4 No person shall operate a watercraft within any park after dusk or when an area is closed.
3.5 "Dusk" for the purpose of this rule shall be the time of sunset for that day of operation. ORC 2911.21 Criminal Trespass
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4.0 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
4.1 No person shall possess or consume any intoxicating liquor, wine or beer while on park owned or controlled property. Except where a liquor license exists or in specific designated areas authorized by park management and issuance of a written permit.
ORC 4301.62 Open Container
ORC 4301.64 Consuming in Motor Vehicle
ORC 4301.632, 69E Under Age
ORC 4511.19 DUI
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5.0 DEFACEMENT, DESTRUCTION, REMOVAL OR DISTURBANCE OF PARK PROPERTY
5.1 No person shall injure, deface, destroy, disturb or remove any part of the park, buildings, sign, equipment, or other property found therein, nor shall any person damage, destroy, disturb, or remove any rock, mineral, vegetation crop such as tree, shrub, flower or its fruit or seed.
ORC 2909.07 Criminal Mischief
ORC 2909.06 Criminal Damaging
ORC 2913 Theft
5.2 No person shall with the use of a vehicle, while in the confines of a park, use or cause the use of that vehicle to be such that the operation results in unusual amounts of noise, smoke, or the marking upon or damage to any park controlled property.
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6.0 RELEASING OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS PROHIBITED
No person shall release onto, or into, any park, any cultured seed of any type or any wild or domestic animal.
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7.0 LITTER, DUMPING, IMPORTING, REFUSE
7.1 (LITTER) No person shall, regardless of intent; throw, drop, discard, place or deposit; litter, trash, rubbish, garbage or any other form of refuse in or on any park owned or controlled lands or waters except in a receptacle designed for that purpose.
7.2 (IMPORTING TRASH) No person shall, import, leave behind or dump any material of any kind in a receptacle or upon any area administered by the park unless that person has been directed to do so by the park official or has been issued a permit to do so. (Note: This does not apply to normal refuse generated as the result of a picnic within the park.)
7.3 (BURNING MATERIALS) No person shall dispose of or discard any lighted match, cigar or cigarette, nor deposit any burning material or hot ashes on any vegetation or in refuse receptacles within or adjacent to the Park District.
7.4 (STREAM LITTER) No person shall, either within or adjacent to any park, place or permit to be placed into the air, river, brook, stream, ditch or drain that flows into or through park lands, any noxious or deleterious material which may render park waters or land harmful or inimical to public health, or to animal, vegetative or aquatic life, or which may prevent, limit or interfere with the use of such waters for domestic, industrial or agricultural purposes, or which may lessen to an unreasonable degree the use and enjoyment of such waters for park use.
7.5 (AIR POLLUTION) No person, occupant, owner or person-in-charge, by himself, his agent, or employee, shall cause suffer, or allow burning of garbage, waste material, trash refuse, vehicle or any part thereof, or other combustible within or adjacent to the Park District so as to cause smoke, odor, sparks, dust, dirt, or other residue to come upon, pass through, or over the Park which would cause air pollution, nuisance or danger.
ORC3767.32 LITTERING PROHIBITED
ORC1531.29 REFUSE DISPOSAL PROHIBITED
ORC4511.82 LITTERING FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE
ORC4513.31 SECURING OF LOADS
ORC1547.49 LITTERING FROM A BOAT
ORC3767.14 PROHIBITION AGAINST THROWING REFUSE, OIL, OR FILTH
INTO LAKES, STREAMS, OR DRAINS
ORC3767.16 PROHIBITION AGAINST DEPOSIT OF DEAD ANIMALS OR
OFFAL UPON LAND AND WATER
ORC3767.18 PROHIBITION AGAINST DEFILING SPRING OR WELL
ORC3767.29 ABANDONED REFRIGERATORS
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8.0 FIREARMS, FIREWORKS, EXPLOSIVES, DANGEROUS WEAPONS, DANGEROUS ORDINANCE, OR BOWS OR ARROWS
8.1 No person, except duly authorized employees, Rangers or other law enforcement officers shall carry, possess or have available or discharge firearms of any description, air or gas gun, sling shot, boomerang or any missile throwing device within park property.
8.2 No person shall possess or discharge fireworks or explosive substance within the park district except for licensed exhibitors of fireworks with written permit.
8.3 No person shall possess or release an arrow from a bow, crossbow, or longbow within the park except in areas designated as archery ranges, or by written permit.
8.4 No person shall possess or carry a switchblade, hunting knife, dagger, metal knuckles, or other dangerous weapon or dangerous ordinance while within the confines of the property. NOTE: Except that persons using authorized hunting areas on park lands for hunting purposes when said persons have fully and completely complied with all of the requirements established for hunting on park lands.
8.5 No person, except designated Park District employees or other law enforcement officers, shall use equipment or devices capable of propelling any chemical agent or article.
ORC3734.65 DISCHARGE PROHIBITED - FIREWORKS
ORC2923 FIREARMS SECTION
ORC3773 FIREARMS SECTION
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9.0 PEDDLING, SOLICITING - GIFTS, DONATIONS, COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES
No person shall canvas, beg, hawk, distribute literature, solicit for gift or donation, sell, offer for sale, solicit orders for sale, any article, thing, wares, merchandise, privilege or service on Park District owned or operated property without the express written consent of the Director.
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10.0 ADVERTISING AND SIGNS
Posting, Display, Signs
No person shall expose, distribute or place any sign, advertisement circular, emblem or design within the Park, without first obtaining a written permit, except reasonable freestanding directional signs of the day of an event provide such signs are removed at the conclusion of the event. Signs shall not be affixed to trees on park property. Persons may attach decorations or signs to shelters or facilities for the purpose of identifying group location using only masking tape or other non-marring adhesive. Decorations shall be removed upon vacating the shelter or facility.
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11.0 INDECENT CONDUCT, EXPOSURE, AND SOLICITATION
11.1 No person shall appear in a park in a state of nudity, or perform or engage in masturbation, sexual contact or conduct, or simulated sexual conduct, nor make any indecent exposure of his or her person or
(A) Solicit another to engage in sexual contact or
(B) Solicit another to engage in sexual conduct or
(C) Solicit another to commit, perform, or engage in any lewd, lascivious, obscene or
indecent act or behavior or
(D) Loiter in or near any building, toilet facility or structure or
(E) Loiter in or near a motor vehicle or vehicles inclusive of, but not limited to, motorcycles and bicycles.
ORC2907.09 PUBLIC INDECENCY
ORC2907.24 SOLICITING
ORC2907.24.1 LOITERING TO SOLICITATION
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12.0 DISORDERLY BEHAVIOR
No person shall:
12.1 utter any profane, obscene, or abusive language or ethnic slur, make unreasonable noise or gesture while within a park; or
12.2 enter or remain in a toilet room reserved for the use of the opposite sex, except for park employees while under the auspices of their duties; or
12.3 engage in conduct that to an ordinary observer would likely be offensive or to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm or engage in conduct or create a condition which presents a risk of physical harm to himself or another, or to the property of another; or
12.4 play any game(s) of chance for monetary or material gain within the confines of any park; or
12.5 play any public address device, radio, stereo, tape player, musical instrument or other sound producing device at a volume that can be heard by other than said equipment owner.
12.6 Toy sirens and other noise making devices are not permitted; or engage in noisy, boisterous behavior which impairs the tranquil atmosphere of the park or impairs the enjoyment of park visitors.
ORC2917.11 DISORDERLY CONDUCT
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13.0 DOGS, CATS AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD PETS
13.1 No person shall bring into, have or keep in the park, any dog, cat, household pet or other animal destructive to wildlife, except that dogs or cats are permitted, in designated areas only, if they are controlled at all times on a leash not more than (6) six feet long.
13.2 Pets are not permitted in play equipment and swimming areas.
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14.0 SWIMMING/USE OF AQUATIC SPORTING EQUIPMENT
14.1 Swimming Prohibited: No person shall swim, wade, bathe or enter into any river, stream or other body of water within the Park District except in a facility designed for that purpose by the Board.
14.2 Fee: No person shall fail to pay the posted fee prior to entering into an aquatics center.
14.3 Aquatic Sporting Equipment: Boats, surfboards, water skies, scuba diving and flotation equipment such as innertube ring, buoy, raft, air mattress, or similar novelty device of inflatable air cell construction or any plastic foam flotation device is prohibited except as posted.
14.4 Objects Prohibited: Glass bottles, metal cans or containers are prohibited adjacent to or in swimming areas.
14.5 Posted Rules: All aquatic center users shall abide by the rules and regulations posted at the aquatic center.
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15.0 SLEDDING, SKIING AND SKATING
15.1 No person shall sled ride, or ice skate within the park except in posted areas designated for that use and only during permitted hours and subject to posted operational policies.
15.2 All sled riders shall abide by posted sledding hill rules.
15.3 No person shall ride or use any type of skateboard or scooter in any park, except scooters shall be permitted on paved, flat surfaces allowing for safety concerns. Roller skates and in-line skates will be permitted.
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16.0 TRAFFIC
16.1 REGISTERED OWNER PRIMA-FACIE LIABLE FOR UNLAWFUL PARKING
In any hearing on a charge of illegally parking a motor vehicle, testimony that a vehicle bearing a certain license plate was found unlawfully parked as prohibited by the provisions of this Parking Code, and further testimony that the record of the Ohio Registrar of Motor Vehicles shows that the license plate was issued to the defendant, shall be prima-facie evidence that the vehicle which was unlawfully parked, was so parked by the defendant. A certified registration copy, showing such fact, from the Registrar shall be proof of such ownership.
16.2 PARKING
No person shall operate, stop, stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic to comply with the provisions of this Parking Code, or while obeying the directions of a Park Ranger or a traffic control device, in any of the following places:
(A.) On a sidewalk
(B.) Within an intersection
(C.) Within ten feet of a fire hydrant
(D.) On a crosswalk
(E.) Within 1 foot of another vehicle
(F.) At any place where signs prohibit parking, stopping, or standing, or where the curbing or street is painted yellow, or at any place in excess of the maximum time limited by signs.
(G.) Upon sod, gravel not specifically designated as a parking area.
(H.) In any parking space that is reserved for use by vehicles that are issued and are properly displaying a handicapped placard or registration plate.
(I.) At any location that has been closed by the Director-Secretary, his designee, or a Park Ranger.
(J.) On any trail.
(K.) Where such spaces are marked, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in such a manner as to occupy more than one space.
ORC4511.68
16.3 TRACTOR/TRAILER
Except when authorized, no agricultural tractor, commercial tractor, commercial car or semi-tractor as defined in ORC 4501.01(C)(D)(J) or (P) shall be operated by any person over any road or driven within any park.
16.4 PARK RANGER MAY REMOVE UNATTENDED VEHICLE WHICH OBSTRUCTS TRAFFIC
Whenever a Park Ranger finds a vehicle unattended upon any street, bridge, causeway, or in any tunnel, where such vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic, such ranger may provide for the removal of such vehicle to the nearest garage or other place of safety at the owner's expense.
ORC4511.66 UNATTENDED
ORC4511.67 POLICE MAY REMOVE
16.5 MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLES
No person shall perform any non-emergency maintenance, or repairs, on any vehicle in any park.
16.6 "U" TURNS
No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade, if the vehicle cannot be seen within 500 feet by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction.
16.7 TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
No pedestrian or driver of a vehicle or bicycle shall disobey any traffic control sign or device unless otherwise directed by a Ranger.
ORC 4511.12 OBEYING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
16.8 RACING
No person shall participate in street racing upon any park owned land or roadway.
ORC 4511.25.1 DRAG RACING
16.9 DISREGARD OF SAFETY
No person shall operate a vehicle in a reckless manner or in a willful or wanton disregard of the safety of all other persons, pedestrians or property on park owned or operated lands.
ORC4511.20 RECKLESS OPERATION
ORC4511.2O2 REASONABLE CONTROL
16.10 LEFT OF CENTER
Upon all roads and drives of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when otherwise directed by a traffic control device, ranger or other official within the park.
ORC4511.25 LANE OF TRAVEL
ORC4511.29 LEFT OF CENTER
16.11 SPEED
No person shall operate, propel or cause to be driven or be propelled along any road or drive within the park any vehicle at a greater rate of speed than posted or reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection, playground, picnic area, trail crossing or other place upon any part of the roads or drives under the supervision of the Park District.
ORC 4511.21 SPEED
16.12 ASSURED CLEAR DISTANCE
The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and the condition of the street that will permit him to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
ORC 4511.21 A
16.13 ENDANGERMENT
(A.) No person shall solicit a ride, employment, business or contributions from a driver or occupant of any vehicle.
(B.) No person shall hang onto, or ride on the outside of any motor vehicle while it is moving upon a roadway within the park.
16.14 ROADWAYS
(A.) No person shall use any portion of the park for purpose of way except drives, roadways, paths, walks, and trails established for such purpose.
(B.) Paths established as bridle paths, foot paths or bicycle paths shall not be used for motor vehicles. Park and emergency vehicles excepted.
(C.) No person shall make entrance/exit to a park except by the established points of entry.
(D.) No person shall drive upon or along any Park road or drive which has been closed by means of being posted close or barricades or gates. The Director-Secretary or his designee shall have the authority to order roads, drives or facilities closed for construction, reconstruction, repair, investigation, weather conditions or an unsafe condition.
ORC4511.202 FAILURE TO CONTROL
16.15 UNSECURED LOAD
No vehicle shall be driven or moved within the Park District unless such vehicle is so constructed, loaded or covered as to prevent any of its load from dropping, shifting, leaking or otherwise escaping therefrom or as to track or drop stones, gravel, agricultural by-products or other similar material on any Park District property or road.
ORC 4513 LOAD
16.16 UNSAFE VEHICLE
No person shall drive, move or knowingly permit to be driven or moved within the park, a vehicle in an unsafe condition that could possibly endanger any person.
16.17 INCORPORATION OF STATE TRAFFIC LAWS
There rules are in addition to and supplement to State Traffic laws which are in force and made a part hereof.
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17.0 GOLFING
17.1 Golfing Requirements: Every player must have individual golf playing equipment. No one shall be allowed on a golf course without first paying the posted fee, except Park District employees.
17.2 Golf Rules: All players shall abide by the rules and regulations posted at the golf course.
17.3 Practice Golf: No person shall hit a golf ball or practice golf except in areas where designated.
17.4 Hours: No person shall be permitted on a golf course between the times of one half hour after sunset and one half hour before sunrise or when course is not open for play.
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18.0 PLAY EQUIPMENT
18.1 Play Equipment Requirements: Playing of horse shoes, golf, or other games with play equipment shall, for the safety and welfare of all other persons using the parks, be confined to the areas set aside and designated for such purposes.
18.2 Use of Play Equipment: Play equipment shall be used by only those within the appropriate age or weight for which the play equipment was designed or recommended.
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19.0 CAMPING
19.1 Camping Prohibited: No person shall establish or maintain any camp or other temporary lodging or sleeping place within the park without a permit, and the payment of any applicable fee.
19.2 Camping Rules: Permit holders will abide by the camping rules or restrictions set by the Director/Secretary or his designee as required by conditions of area use.
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20.0 ALL PURPOSE, ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES
20.1 Prohibited: No person shall operate a snowmobile or other self-propelled vehicle steered by skis, runners, or caterpillar treads which is designed to travel in snow or ice covered surfaces as defined in section 4519.01(A) of the Ohio Revised Code upon any park owned or administrated property.
20.2 Motorized Vehicles: No person shall operate a motorized vehicle that operates on a cushion of air, vehicles commonly known as all-terrain vehicles, all-season vehicles, mini-bikes, trail bikes, any vehicle principally used in playing golf, any motor vehicle or aircraft required to be registered under Chapter 4503 or Chapter 4561 of the Ohio Revised Code and any vehicle excepted from definition as a motor vehicle by division (b) of section 4501.1 or the Ohio Revised Code on any property owned or administrated by the Park District.
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21.0 RAPPELLING, ROCK CLIMBING, THROWING OBJECTS
(A) Rappelling, Rock Climbing: No person shall participate or assist in any type of rock climbing, rope climbing, or rappelling on any park owned or administered property.
(B) Rappelling, Climbing Equipment: No person, except Park District employees shall use equipment or devices, including climbing spikes, ropes, harnesses, ladders, scaffolding for climbing trees, cliffs or rocks.
21.1 THROWING OBJECTS
Throwing Objects: No person shall throw, toss, propel or cause directly or indirectly, the throwing, tossing, dropping or propelling of any object over or off of any precipice, bridge, observation tower, or other similar structure or natural formation.
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22.0 USE OF PARK STRUCTURES, AREAS
No Person Shall:
Utilize any structure, facility or area administered by the park district and upon vacating said structure, facility or area, cause it to be left in a state of clutter or disarray, unsanitary or unclean, inclusive or but not limited to food scraps, animal droppings, or materials commonly used for animal bedding. Upon reserving any facility, structure or area that person shall accept liability for any breakage, destruction, or removal of park property by any member of their group.
22.1 Picnic shelters and tables that are not reserved by permit are available on a first come first served basis and may not be held for longer than one hour prior to arrival of the group.
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23.0 HORSE RIDING
No Person Shall:
23.1 Permitted Areas: except in designated areas, ride or bring into the park, any horse, mule or pony.
23.2 Right of Way: while riding a horse or any domestic animal along any bridal trail, the rider shall yield the right of way at all points where bridal trails cross roads, drives, paths or parkways.
23.3 Safety: ride a horse or other domestic animal within a park without due regard for the safety and well being of vehicles, pedestrians, other riders, and or park property.
23.4 Trails: except in designated areas, riders shall stay on designated bridal trails at all times.
23.5 Unattended, Mistreated: leave unattended, mistreat, over ride, cruelly beat or torture any horse within the park district.
23.6 Open hours: ride a horse within the park during closed hours.
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24.0 AIRCRAFT, BALLOON, PARACHUTE, ETC.
No person shall voluntarily bring, land or cause to descend, or alight upon or adjacent to the park lands any airplane, helicopter, flying machine, balloon, glider, parachute or other apparatus for aviation without a permit and payment of a fee, if any as required by the Board. Voluntarily, in this connection, shall mean anything other than a forced landing. Any landing other than one caused by mechanical or structural failure of the aircraft or any of its parts shall be deemed to have been made voluntarily and this shall include landings by error or oversight, negligence or failure to comply with any Civil Aeronautics Authority regulations or rulings.
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25.0 MODEL TOYS
Model Toys Prohibited: No engine-powered, radio controlled, self-propelled, free sailing miniature model and toy airplanes, boats, cars, rockets, sirens or other noise making devices are permitted to be operated within the confines of the park, without permit.
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26.0 BOATING
26.1 Prohibited: No person shall drive or propel or cause to be driven or propelled any watercraft along or over any lake, pond, impounded waters either frozen or unfrozen, within or adjacent to the park. No watercraft shall be operated on any river in a reckless manner, or in a manner to endanger the life, limb or property or any other person within or adjacent to the park water area, including fishermen, if any engaged in the lawful use thereof. The provisions of section 1547.01 to 1547.99 of the Ohio Revised Code relating to watercraft and regulations of the Division of Watercraft of the State of Ohio adopted pursuant thereto, shall be effective and enforced in the Lorain County Metro Park District.
26.2 Launching: No person shall launch or "put in" any watercraft or flotation device on Park District property except at designated sites. Except canoes or kayaks that can be carried to the river without damage to sod or vegetation.
26.3 After Hours: No watercraft shall be operated within the boundary of the Park District after the park closing hours.
ORC 1547 WATERCRAFT
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27.0 TRAILS
27.1 OFF TRAIL USE PROHIBITED
No person shall be permitted off posted trails established by the Park District without permit. Persons shall remain on the official, designated or improved trail while in the Park unless involved in a park program involving off-trail activity.
27.2 TRAIL USE
(A.) Use of trails may include bicycles, walking , hiking, jogging, wheelchairs, horseback riding, snow skis and roller skates.
(B.) Trail use shall be as designated or posted.
(C.) No person shall fail to obey any posted lane marking devices or operational policies. Pedestrians have the right of way, cross traffic has the right of way at intersections. Any person passing another person traveling in same direction along the trail shall announce their intention before passing. No person shall pass another trail user in a manner which endangers or causes inconvenience or alarm to himself/herself or other trail/park users.
(D.) No person shall exceed the posted speed limit or travel at speed above conditions.
(E.) No person shall be on any trail, bikeway or land administered by the Park District after closing or designated closed.
(F.) No person shall ride bicycles upon road or trail more than 2 abreast in a single lane.
(G.) No person shall ride or knowingly permit any person to ride upon any bicycle, scooter, roller skates, skateboard, sled or toy vehicle to attach the same to himself or to any vehicle while it is moving upon a roadway or trail.
(H.) Every bicycle shall be equipped with an adequate brake when used on a roadway or trail.
(I.) No person shall use or operate a motorized vehicle on a multi-use trail, bridle path, footpath or bicycle path trail. Motorized wheelchairs are permitted by persons requiring such devices to be mobile, except park employees or emergency service personnel in performance of their duties.
ORC4511.52 BICYCLE TRAFFIC LAW
ORC4511.71 PATHS FOR BICYCLES
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28.0 FIRES
28.1 No person shall kindle, build, maintain or use a fire other than in places provided or designated for such purposes.
28.2 Any fire, ember or burning briquette shall be continuously under the care and direction of a competent adult from the time it is kindled until it is extinguished.
28.3 No person shall throw away or discard any match, cigarette, cigar, ember or briquettes or other burning object which has not been entirely extinguished before being thrown away or discarded in receptacles or areas provided. Dumping hot ashes or fire into the grass is prohibited.
28.4 No fire shall be built within ten (10) feet of any tree, building or beneath the branches of any tree or in any underbrush.
28.5 No person shall place or maintain a portable stove or grill in a shelter or on combustible picnic tables.
28.6 The park manager or designee may limit the size of any fire and prescribe safety precautions to be taken, when fire hazard conditions exist.
28.7 Large cookers or commercial-style rotisseries are prohibited except with written permission in designated areas only.
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29.0 HUNTING, FISHING AND MOLESTING OF ANIMAL
No person shall on Park District owned or administered property:
29.1 hunt, pursue with animals, electric or mechanical devices, trap or in any other way molest, harm, harass, injure, or disturb any bird or animal, rob or molest any bird nest or take the eggs of any bird, except that hunting at Charlemont of rabbit and pheasant is permitted and will be regulated by the current years hunting regulation as set forth by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. These regulations and seasons may be restricted to a greater extent by the Board should the necessity become evident. It will be the responsibility of persons hunting to learn of any additional restrictions which have been imposed, or;
29.2 hunt, shoot, shoot at or kill within 200 feet of any road, structure, path, parking lot or on, across or from any roadway. This area will be considered a safety zone.
29.3 use spotlights or headlights of any kind to illuminate wildlife within the confines of any park, unless that person is a member of a park supervised program or is directed to do so by a park employee, except in cases where the purpose for doing so is to avoid injury to persons, property or wildlife, or;
29.4 Fishing in park waters is permitted and is subject to the statutes of the State of Ohio, except that the use of unattended hooks, traps, gigs, spears or bows and arrows, fishing during the hours the park is closed or in areas posted as such fishing is prohibited.
29.5 Ice fishing is prohibited on Park District waters.
29.6 Trapping or removal of nuisance animals may be done by permit only.
29.7 No person other than park personnel/volunteer engaged in official duties, may feed any wild bird or other animal found within the confines of the Park.
29.8 Unless specifically addressed, these rules and regulations are in addition to and supplement the State Wildlife Orders and Laws which are in force and which are made a part hereof.
ORC2931.02 CRUELTY
ORC1531, 1533 ODNR WILDLIFE
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30.0 ENCROACHMENT
No Person Shall:
30.1 Willingly encroach upon lands owned or administered by the Board.
30.2 Trespass from Park property onto private property.
ORC 2911.21 CRIMINAL TRESPASS
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31.0 PETS
No Person Shall:
31.1 Fail to clean up and place in a rubbish receptacle any excrement left by their pet.
31.2 Wash any pet at a water fountain, pump or other water source.
31.3 Bring into any Park any pet unless he/she has proof of current rabies inoculation for the animal and a collar or license bearing owners name and address is attached to the animal.
31.4 Leave a domestic dog, cat or other pet unattended.
31.5 Release, abandon or deposit any animal within the confines of the park.
31.6 While in or on a moving motor vehicle, or motorized bicycle shall lead or permit to be led any leashed pet or animal.
31.7 No person shall mistreat any animal within the confines of any park.
31.8 No pet or other animal shall be allowed to disturb or become a nuisance to other users of the park.
ORC951 RUNNING AT LARGE
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32.0 EJECTION(S) OF PERSONS FROM PARK PROPERTIES
At the discretion of Park Management or Law Enforcement Officers having jurisdiction, any person(s) that has violated a park rule(s) or Ohio Revised Code may be ejected from all Lorain County Metro Park properties for the remainder of day on which the violation occurred. Furthermore, ejection from park properties may be instituted in conjunction with or in place of written warnings or citations.
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33.0 SPECIAL FACILITY REGULATIONS
Certain park areas require additional regulations which are necessary for visitor safety and resource protection. Such regulations shall be posted at these special facilities.
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34.0 ABANDONED PERSONAL PROPERTY
Personal property, which has been left in the Park may be removed by Park personnel and stored. Upon proper description and identification, the owner may reclaim said property within 45 days and after paying any applicable storage fees. Items not claimed within 45 days shall become the property of the Board and shall de disposed of as outlined by operational policy.
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35.0 THE DIRECTOR MAY AUTHORIZE BY PERMIT THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:

• Closed Hours
• Powered Toys
• Alcohol
• Boating
• Releasing Plants/Animals
• Off-trail
• Soliciting
• Fires
• Advertising
• Fireworks
• Bows/Arrows
• Swimming/Aquatic Sports
• Rappelling/Rock Climbing
• Aircraft/Balloon
• Parking

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