(Charter reference--Department of public works to be responsible for the functions and services of the city relative to public parks, public playgrounds and other public recreational properties, and equipment, Ch. X, Art. 2, Sec. 2. Cross references--Amusements, Ch. 4; animals and fowl, Ch. 5; garbage and trash, Ch. 10; health and sanitation, Ch. 11; streets and sidewalks, Ch. 16; traffic, Ch. 17. State law reference--Parks and recreational areas, G.L. 1956, Sec. 32-1-2 et seq.)
(a) Smoking, the use of cannabis, and vaping, which is the use of any electronic device that delivers nicotine or other substance to the person inhaling from the device, included but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah is prohibited at all city-owned parks, athletic fields, playgrounds, and outdoor recreation facilities.
(b) The Director of the Department of Public Works shall post "smoke-free outdoors" signage at the locations identified in Section (a) where the signs will be conspicuous and readily visible by the general public. The absence of signs required by this ordinance shall not be a defense to a violation of this Ordinance.
(c) No ash can, ashtray, or other smoking waste receptacles shall be placed or permitted in any area in which smoking is prohibited by this Ordinance. The presence of smoking waste receptacles in violation of this ordinance shall not be a defense to a violation of this ordinance.
(d) Any violation of this Ordinance is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and any instance of smoking in violation of the Ordinance shall constitute a separate violation, punishable by a fine of $100.00.
(Ch. No. 2554, Sec. 1, 7-6-70; Ch. No. 6729, Sec. 1, 6-5-00, Ch. No., Sec. 1, 5-15-2013, Ch. No., Sec. 1, 7-19-2013)
(a) During the months of May through October, City parks shall be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Parks may be open later only with special permission of the recreation director. Unlit areas will be closed from dusk to dawn with signage posted in all City parks stating same.
(b) During the months of November through April, designated City parks, fields and other open areas shall be open 24 hours/day during official snow bans ONLY as declared consistent with Chapter 17, Section 17-75.
Those parks and areas are as follows:
1. River Island Park (located across from 100 Bernon Street)
2. Dunn Park (located at 79 Asylum Street)
3. Bouley Field (located behind 450 Social Street)
4. Area outside soccer fields at Davison Avenue
5. Bernon Park (located at 145 Kermit Street)
6. Menard Field (located at 228 Privilege Street)
7. Globe Park (entrance access on Coe Street right of 464 Coe Street)
(c) Only persons who have obtained a Snow Ban Parking Permit shall be authorized to park in one of the above-designated areas during a snow ban. Permits may be purchased for twenty-five ($25.00) dollars in the Department of Public Works office. The permit would be valid from November 18 through April 30. At that time, any person wishing to purchase a Snow Ban Parking Permit must sign an agreement acknowledging the list of conditions associated with a Snow Ban Parking Permit issued by the Director of Public Works attached hereto as Exhibit A.
All applicants must also provide the Department of Public Works with the following contact information:
1. Name and address
2. Telephone numbers (including cell, work and home)
3. Email address (if applicable)
4. Vehicle information including make, model, year, color and registration number
(d) The Department of Public Works will be responsible for compiling a list of all Snow Ban Parking Permit holders. That list, including all updates, will then be disseminated to the Director of Public Works and Chief of Police.
(e) The Snow Ban Parking Permit must be placed on the dashboard (driver's side) of the vehicle for which it was issued.
(f) No person shall duplicate or attempt to duplicate a Snow Ban Parking Permit or display on any vehicle a duplicate Snow Ban Parking Permit.
(g) A Snow Ban Parking Permit shall not guarantee or reserve a parking space, nor shall it excuse the observance of any traffic or parking regulation.
(h) All permitted vehicles shall be removed from their designated park within 24 hours after the end of an officially declared parking ban. All vehicles not removed within the 24-hour period shall be subject to a parking violation and summons to the Woonsocket Municipal Court. All violations of Section (h) shall be subject to a fine of$75.00 per day
(i) The Director of Public Works shall determine the number of permits to be issued for each of the above-designated areas.
(j) Any vehicle parked in one of the above-designated areas without a Snow Ban Parking Permit shall be towed at the registered owner's expense.
(k) Each of the above-referenced designated areas shall have signage posted stating that it is a Snow Ban Parking Permit Area.
(Ch. No. 8406, Sec. 1, 11-20-2023)
(Ch. No. 7334, Sec. 1, 6-18-07)
a) Battery-Powered Bicycle: Any bicycle that is equipped with an electric motor that assists in propulsion and is powered by a rechargeable battery.
b) Motorized Bicycle: Any bicycle that is equipped with a motor, including but not limited to gas-powered engines or electric motors, that provides propulsion beyond the physical pedaling of the rider.
c) City-Owned Parks and Recreation Areas: All parks, recreational areas, and green spaces owned, operated, or maintained by the City of Woonsocket.
Sec. 15-3-2 PROHIBITION
The use of any battery-powered bicycle and motorized bicycle are hereby prohibited within all city-owned parks and recreation areas.
This prohibition shall apply to all areas within the boundaries of city-owned parks and recreation areas, including but not limited to trails, paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, and open green spaces. ·
Sec. 15-3-3 EXEMPTIONS
This ordinance shall not apply to any mobility devices used by individuals with disabilities as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Official city vehicles or any authorized vehicles. used for maintenance, emergency response, or other official city purposes are exempt from this prohibition.
Sec. 15-3-4 PENALTY, ENFORCEMENT AND JURISDICTION
The Woonsocket Police Department and any other city officials designated by the Woonsocket Police Department shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this ordinance.
Any violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $100 for the first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense.
Jurisdiction shall lie within the Woonsocket Municipal Court. Sec.
15-3-5 PUBLIC AWARENESS
The City of Woonsocket shall take all reasonable and necessary steps to inform the public of this ordinance, including signage within city-owned parks, announcements through community channels, and any other appropriate means of communication.
(Ch. No. 1879, Secs. 1--5, 5-18-64; Ch. No. 1914, Sec. 1, 9-8-64; Ch. No. 1928, Secs. 1--3, 11-2-64; Ch. 8235, Sec. 1, 4-5-2021; Ch. 8528, Sec. 1, 10-14-2024)
(a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, including motorcycles and motor bikes in any of the Woonsocket city parks, other than a designated parking lot area.
(b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to the general penalty set forth in section 1-8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. (Ch. No. 2668, Secs. 1, 2, 5-17-71; Ch. No. 2687, Sec. 1, 6-21-71)
Editor's note--Ch. No. 2668, Sec. 1 added Sec. 15-4 to this Code. The editor codified Sec. 2 of the ordinance as Sec. 15-4(b).
Section 15-5(1) Rules and regulations governing the use of public parks, conservation areas and running tracks.
(a) During the months of May through October in each calendar year, City parks shall be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Parks may be open later only with special permission of the recreation superintendent. Unlighted areas will be closed from dusk to dawn with signage in all City parks stating same.
(b) During the months of November through April in each calendar year, designated City parks, fields and other open areas shall be open 24 hours/days during official snow bans ONLY as declared consistent with Chapter 17, Section 17-75. Those parks and areas are as follows:
1. River Island Park (located across from 100 Bernon Street)
2. Dunn Park (located at 79 Asylum Street)
3. Bouley Field (located behind 450 Social Street)
4. Area outside soccer fields at Davison Street
5. Bernon Park (located at 145 Kermit Street)
6. Menard Field (located at 228 Privilege Street)
7. Globe Park (entrance access on Coe Street right of 464 Coe St)
(c) Only persons who have obtained a Snow Ban Parking Permit shall be authorized to park in one of the above-designated areas during a snow ban. Snow Ban Permits may be purchased for twenty-five ($25.00) dollars in the Department of Public Works office. The permit would be valid from November 18th through April 30th of each calendar year. At that time, any person wishing to purchase a Snow Ban Parking Permit shall acknowledging the list of conditions associated with a Snow Ban Parking Permit issued by the Director of Public Works as outlined in the same or similar form as attached Exhibit (A) (the Department of Public Works Terms and Conditions for Snow Ban Parking.
All applicants must also provide the Department of Public Works with the following contact information:
1. Name and address
2. Telephone number
3. Email address (if applicable)
4. Vehicle information including registration number
(d) The Department of Public Works will be responsible for compiling a list of all Snow Ban Parking Permit holders. That list, including all updates, will then be disseminated to the Director of Public Works and Chief of Police.
(e) The Snow Ban Parking Permit must be placed on the dashboard (driver's side) of the vehicle for which it was issued.
(f) No person shall duplicate or attempt to duplicate a Snow Ban Parking Permit or display on any vehicle a duplicate Snow Ban Parking Permit.
(g) A Snow Ban Parking Permit shall not guarantee or reserve a parking space, nor shall it excuse the observance of any traffic or parking regulation.
(h) All permitted vehicles shall be removed from their designated park within twenty-four (24) hours after the end of an officially declared parking ban. All vehicles not removed within the 24-hour period shall be subject to a parking violation and summons to the Woonsocket Municipal Court. All violations of Section (h) shall be subject to a fine of $75.00 per day
(i) The Director of Public Works shall determine the number of permits to be issued for each of the above-designated areas.
(j) Any vehicle parked in one of the above-designated areas without a Snow Ban Parking Permit shall be towed at the registered owner's expense.
(k) Each of the above-referenced designated areas shall have signage posted stating that it is a Snow Ban Parking Permit Area.
(Ch. No. 8077, Sec. 1, 11-19-18; Ch. No. 8148, Sec. 1, 12-18-19; Ch. No. 8208, Sec. 1, 12-21-2020; Ch. No. 8337, Sec. 1, 11-7-2022; Ch. No. 8530, Sec. 1, 11-4-2024)
(Ch. No. 7334, Sec. 1, 6-18-07)
No permit shall be issued for the use of any public park for any non-athletic event to which the general public is admitted without first obtaining permission of the city council upon such terms as are appropriate and in the best interest of the city.
(Ch. No. 6079, Sec. 1, 6-5-95)
Recreational activities including fishing, boating, hiking, hunting, and bathing or any other action or nuisance which may pollute and/or contaminate the water supply or shorelines thereof are hereby prohibited in any body of water owned by the City of Woonsocket for use as a supply of public drinking water as well as on the land abutting said bodies of water.
(Ch. No. 6234, Sec. 1, 4-15-96)
(Ch. No. 7334, Sec. 1, 6-18-07)
The Director of Public Works shall issue fishing permits allowing access to the Woonsocket Water Supply Reservoir #3 for one season April 11, 1998 - February 28, 1999.
The number of permits issued, per fishing season, shall not exceed five hundred (500) and shall be issued to individuals holding valid State of Rhode Island fishing licenses for the season within which the permit is sought, and in accordance with rules and regulations attached hereto.
(Ch. No. 6475, Sec. 1, 4-6-98)
No licenses, permits, or privileges authorizing activities described in section 15-8 shall be issued by the City of Woonsocket or its departments, and any such licenses, permits, or privileges which may have been previously issued are hereby revoked.
(Ch. No. 6234, Sec. 1, 4-15-96)