Olmsted County Parks Division Rules and Regulations Ordinance

Rules and Regulations 

3901. APPLICATION AND PENALTY
The following rules and regulations shall apply to Olmsted County Parks. Except for civil Notices of Violation as authorized in Section 3928 below, any person who shall willfully violate any of the same shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1000 and/or a jail term of not more than 90 days. A conviction for a violation of these rules and regulations may also be grounds for being barred from County Park property for a period at the discretion of park staff to the extent needed to insure public health and safety.

3902. DISORDERLY CONDUCT
Disorderly conduct is prohibited. This includes:
1) engaging in brawling or fighting;
2) disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting, not unlawful in its character;
3) engaging in offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous, or noisy conduct or language tending reasonably to arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in others,
4) harassing wildlife or captive wild animals cared for by Parks staff, or
5) refusing to comply with Parks rules and regulations as directed by Parks staff or campground hosts in a manner which threatens to provoke a breach of the peace.

3903. EXCESSIVE NOISE
The use of amplified speakers and public address systems are prohibited without advance permission of the park manager or his/her designee. Making noise which is loud enough to disturb others in the vicinity is prohibited. Violating posted quiet hours in the park campgrounds are after 10:00 p.m. and prior to 7:00 a.m. daily is prohibited.

3904. VANDALISM
The destruction, alteration, injury or removal of any real or personal property, vegetation, geological formation or the harassment of wildlife is prohibited.

3905. SANITATION
Garbage and recyclables shall be separated and disposed of by placing in the containers provided. Disposal of solid waste within a park which was generated outside of that park is prohibited. Emptying the waste holding tanks of campers and recreational vehicles in the parks when the vehicle owner or operator is not renting a campsite at the park is also prohibited unless the established park disposal fee has been paid to campground host or park staff Camper and recreational vehicle wastewater must be collected in an enclosed tank and disposed of at the designated dump station. Wastewater disposal onto the ground is prohibited.

3906. FIRES
Permitted only in fireplaces and other designated sites. Only wood sold by the park itself, pre-bundled firewood which contains DNR certification it is free of invasive species and diseases and clean, untreated lumber is permitted in the parks; use of all other wood is prohibited. Scavenging of downed wood within the parks for fires is also prohibited. Firewood sold at a county park is intended for use within that park. Transferring park firewood for use outside of the park boundaries is prohibited.

3907. PICNICKING
Park patrons may reserve park shelters at Chester Woods Park and Oxbow Park byphone. Shelter reservation fees shall be established by resolution of the County Board. Park patrons who have reserved a park shelter in advance of an event shall have the right to use that park shelter, up to 8 picnic tables and 1 grill adjacent tothe shelter to the exclusion of others for the duration of the event reservation, subject to compliance with all other applicable sections of the Parks Ordinance. Shelter reservations do not authorize exclusive use of the green space, playground
or parking areas adjacent to the shelter by shelter patrons and their guests.

3908. CAMPING
Camping is restricted to the sites specified. Installation of permanent facilities and digging into sites is prohibited. All campers must register with the park staff. All campers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them. Occupancy of campsites is limited to ten (10) consecutive days.

3909. SWIMMING
Lakes and rivers located within the boundaries of county parks may be used at the individual's own risk. Lifeguards are not provided. Swimming in lakes and rivers within the parks is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. If a body of water is declared unsafe for swimming by the Public Health Department, such notice shall be posted, and swimming shall be prohibited while posted.

3910. LICENSED MOTORIZED VEHICLES
Licensed motorized vehicles of all types are permitted only on improved roads and designated parking areas, except as needed by Parks staff in connection with activities. Temporary exceptions to this requirement may be permitted with the advance permission of Parks staff as needed in order to provide access for disabled visitors to specific areas of the park not served by improved roads.

3911. MOTORIZED RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Motorized recreational vehicles including, but not limited to trail bikes, all-terrain vehicles, etc., are prohibited. Usage of golf carts and mopeds in the parks is prohibited. Temporary exceptions to this requirement may be permitted with the advance permission of Parks staff as needed in order to provide access for disabled visitors to specific areas of the park not served by improved roads. Use of bicycles and in-line skates is permitted on improved roads and designated trails only and their use is specifically prohibited in any playgrounds or playscapes in the parks.

3912. SNOWMOBILES
Snowmobiles must be operated in accordance with state statutes and on trails designated for such use only, except as needed by Parks staff in connection with park operations or maintenance activities.

3913. HORSEBACK RIDERS
Horseback riders- are required to purchase and display a current daily or seasonal bridle permit for each mount. Horseback riding is permitted on designated trails only and horses shall travel no faster than a walk. Trail ride groups are limited to no more than ten horses. Horseback riding will be permitted from May 1 through November 1 of each year. Trails may be closed any time trail conditions are deemed unfit or unsafe by the park manager or their designee. Visitors are urged to call ahead for information on trail conditions. Seasonal bridle permits are only allowed in Chester Woods Park. Daily bridle permits for Root River Park must be obtained in advance of a ride by permission of the Parks Director or their designee. Horseback riding is not permitted in Oxbow Park except within public road right of ways.

3914. DOMESTIC PETS
Pets are permitted only when confined on a leash not exceeding 6 feet long. Pets are permitted only in designated areas of the park. However, service animals on a leash are permitted with their owners in all areas of the parks so long as they are not causing a disturbance to persons or other animals in the vicinity. Pet owners are expected to clean up after their animals and properly dispose of any feces deposited in the parks. Dogs found running at large must be removed from the parks upon a request by Parks staff.

Dangerous Dogs are prohibited in the parks. A "Dangerous Dog" means any dog
that has:
1) when unprovoked, inflicted bites on a person, domestic animal, or captive wild animal; or
2) when unprovoked, chased or approached a person, domestic animal, or captive wild animal in the parks in an apparent attitude of attack; or
3) has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, causing injury or otherwise threatening the safety of persons, domestic animals, or captive wild animals.

If a dog is determined to be "dangerous" by Parks staff or by another government entity, the dog must be immediately removed from the park by the owner or person in possession and control of the dog, and the dog will be permanently
barred from returning to the County Parks. This includes any dogs that are designated service animals.

It shall be a violation for any dog brought into a park which barks, whines, howls, bays, cries or makes other noise excessively so as to cause annoyance, disturbance, or discomfort to any individual provided that such noise lasts for a period of more than five minutes continuously or intermittent barking that continues for more than one hour and is plainly audible outside the campsite, motor vehicle or other area where the dog is kept. It shall not be a violation of this section if the dog was barking, crying, or making other noise due to harassment or injury to the dog or a trespass upon the park premises where the dog is located such as a campsite or motor vehicle. Any dogs found to be in violation of this requirement must be removed from the park by the owner or person in possession and control
of the dog upon request by Parks staff.

3915. PARK HOURS
The parks may be accessed by the public from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. However, in the campground areas of the parks, registered guests are permitted to be present at all times, but visitors of campground guests may not be present
in the parks between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. daily.

3916. FIREARMS AND WEAPONS
Firearms, explosives, slingshots, bows and arrows, and other weapons are prohibited in the parks, except as needed by Parks staff for necessary animal control measures or in emergency situations Such unauthorized devices shall be registered and secured by the Parks staff for safekeeping while the owner is in the park. However, firearms are permitted in the parks for the duration of a specific hunt authorized by resolution of the County Board. In addition, persons who possess a valid permit to carry a firearm are also authorized to carry a firearm while in County Parks consistent with the requirements set forth in Minnesota Statutes Section 624.714. Permit to carry holders must carry their permit with them and shall carry or secure their firearm at all times in the parks.

3917. USE OF TOBACCO AND E-CIGARETTE TYPE PRODUCTS
Use of tobacco and e-cigarette type products are prohibited inside all park buildings and within 15 feet of the entrances of all park buildings at all times, and in all areas of the parks when persons under the age of 18 are present. When persons under the age of 18 are not present, use of tobacco and e-cigarette type products is prohibited in the following locations within the county parks: the swimming beach at Chester Woods Park, Zollman Zoo at Oxbow Park, and in
all playgrounds and playscapes in the parks.

3918. FIREWORKS
Use of fireworks is prohibited in the parks at all times.

3919. HUNTING AND TRAPPING
Hunting, trapping, and seining are prohibited except during a specific event authorized by resolution of the County Board or for necessary animal control measures by Parks staff. Fishing is permitted in season with a valid State of Minnesota issued license.

3920. ADVERTISEMENTS
Private notices or advertisements shall not be posted, distributed, or displayed on park property without the written consent of the Parks Director, pursuant to the policy established by the Olmsted County Park Commission.

3921. PRIVATE OPERATIONS
No person, association, or corporation shall engage in or solicit business within the park without the express written consent of the Parks Director, pursuant to the policy established by the Olmsted County Park Commission.

3922. WATERCRAFT
Watercraft including boats, canoes and kayaks may be hand launched in lakes or rivers at any convenient point within the parks. Those boats transported to the water by trailer must be launched at a boat-launching ramp. Electric trolling motors are permitted. However, with the exception of maintenance and law enforcement craft, use of in-board or mounted gasoline motors on boats is prohibited on Chester Lake. All watercraft users must remove aquatic invasive species from watercraft and trailers when exiting a lake or river in the parks as required by state law or regulation.

3923. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Use or possession of alcoholic beverages in containers having a capacity of two gallons or more is prohibited. This does not apply to persons or organizations properly licensed to sell such beverages in the parks, to employees and agents acting on behalf of such licensees, nor to persons delivering such beverages to such licensees.

3924. ILLEGAL DRUGS
Use or possession in the parks of controlled substances which are illegal under Minnesota law and which are not prescribed for use by a physician is prohibited.

3925. PARK ENTRY PERMITS
Fees for camping, special events, entry permits, and bridle permits may be changed from time to time by Resolution of the County Board.

3926. DRONES
Use of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) within the parks or in the airspace above the parks is prohibited except by Parks staff in connection with park operations or maintenance activities or by law enforcement as authorized by law.

3927. SEVERABILITY AND SAVINGS CLAUSE
If any section or portion of this Ordinance is found unconstitutional or otherwise invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that section or portion shall be considered severable, and the finding shall not serve as
invalidation or affect the validity or enforceability of any other section or provision of this Ordinance.

3928. VIOLATIONS – CIVIL
At the discretion of County Parks staff, a civil Notice of Violation may be issued to any person who has violated the County Parks Rules and Regulations in lieu of a criminal citation issued by the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department. If a civil Notice of Violation is issued, and the person receiving the notice of violation wishes to appeal the notice, the procedure to do so shall be governed by the Olmsted County Administrative Enforcement and Appeals Procedure Ordinance set forth in Chapter 4000 of the Olmsted County Code of Ordinances. The County Parks Commission shall
serve as the subordinate board or commission to handle appeals for purposes of the Ordinance.

3929. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE
The changes to the County Parks Rules and Regulations pertaining to the manner in which appeals of civil Notices of Violations are directed to a County Hearing Officer or to the County Parks Commission as a subordinate board or commission for initial review pursuant to the County Administrative Enforcement and Appeals Procedure Ordinance shall take effect March 15, 2022.

Fine Amounts