§ 15-6. Opening and closing town parks; remaining in parks after closing; forfeiture of right to use park.

(a)

Parks shall be open to the public daily during the times specified in this section. These times may be extended to accommodate programs offered by the town at the direction of the director of parks, recreation and cultural resources. Provided, however, the director of parks, recreation and cultural resources may close one or more parks or recreational facilities temporarily at any time if in the director's judgment a sufficient reason exists on account of severe weather or other emergency that would endanger persons using these facilities.

(1)

Apex Jaycee Park and Hunter Street Park:

March through October—7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

November through February—7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Provided, however, the Rogers Family Skate Plaza located within the Hunter Street Park shall be open year round, 24 hours a day. These extended hours shall apply exclusively to the Rogers Family Skate Plaza and no other areas of Hunter Street Park.

(2)

Kelly Road Park:

March through October—7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

November through February—7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

(3)

Apex Community Park:

March through October—6:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

November through February—6:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Provided, however, that Apex Community Park shall be open for purposes of public boating pursuant to subsection 15-7(l) and fishing pursuant to subsection 15-7(q) on the pond therein from 6:30 a.m. until sunset, as defined by the National Weather Service, unless otherwise ordered by the director of parks, recreation and cultural resources.

(4)

West Street Park, Claremont Park, Sue Helton Park, Kelly Glen Park and Seagrove's Farm Park:

March through October—7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

November through February—7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

(5)

Nature Park and Seymour Athletic Fields:

March through October—6:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

November through February—6:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

(b)

All public greenways shall be open from sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, as defined by the National Weather Service, except when closed by the town due to emergency, maintenance or other reasons deemed to appropriate to maintain the safety and security of users. The only exception to this shall be that the greenway located at Apex Community Park shall be open from 6:30 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset as defined by the National Weather Service consistent with the parks operating hours defined under this section.

(c)

It shall be unlawful to enter into or remain within any public park owned or operated by the town within the hours they are closed to public use and a sign to that effect is posted prominently at the main entrance to same.

(d)

Any person who is drunk or disorderly or is or becomes disruptive to other persons using public parks, public greenways, or other public recreational areas shall have no right to the use of the park. Failure to leave when instructed to do so by the director of parks, recreation, and cultural resources, his designee, or a law enforcement officer shall be a misdemeanor.

(e)

In addition to any other enforcement remedies provided by law, violators of subsections (c) or (d) are subject to criminal penalties for trespass.

(Ord. of 3-17-87, § 2.1; Ord. of 6-20-00, § 1; Ord. No. 03-0617-04, § 1, 6-17-03; Ord. No. 07-1218-17, § 3, 12-18-07; Ord. No. 2012-0221-02, § 1, 2-21-2012; Ord. No. 2014-0107-01, § 1, 1-7-2014; Ord. No. 2015-0818-33, § 2, 8-18-2015; Ord. No. 2016-1004-71, § 1, 10-4-2016)