Summer fun is in full effect for community members and that means city parks and lakes will be utilized throughout Levelland.
Activities range from playgrounds, fishing, kayaking, sports at the city park fields or the Oxy Sports Complex. As the warm weather continues through the summer months, the Levelland Parks and Cemetery Department is continuing to provide a quality experience for the community.
Currently, the City of Levelland Parks Department is responsible for over 200 acres of land which includes 14 parks (including skate park, RV park and the Oxy Sports Complex) and 13 playgrounds.
Community members are encouraged to follow park rules to ensure all individuals can enjoy the park areas. Listed below are a few rules in place that individuals may not be aware of as they utilize park areas this summer.
Recently, park rules that have been in place have been included in an approved ordinance. This allows for the rules to have more backing when enforced. The rules are as follows: It shall be unlawful for any person in a public park or recreation area to: mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace, or remove any buildings, tables, benches, fire places, railings, pavings or paving materials, water lines or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers, trash containers or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, whether real or personal.
Fail to cooperate in maintaining restrooms or washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition.
Dig or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs or plants or other wood or materials or make any excavation within the parks or recreational areas.
Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary, or run or string any public service utility into, upon or across such lands except on permit issued hereunder.
Damage, cut, carve, mark, transplant or remove any plant or injure the bark or pick flowers or seed of tree or plant, dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any other way injure the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.
Climb any tree, climb stand or sit upon monuments, railings, fences, awnings or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purpose.
Attach any rope or cable or other contrivance to any tree, fence, railing, bridge, bench or other structure.
Throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any playa lake or in or adjacent to any park or any storm sewer or drain flowing into such playa lake, any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said playa lake.
Take into, carry through, or put into any park or recreational area any rubbish, refuse, garbage or other material. Such refuse and rubbish shall be deposited in receptacles so provided. Where receptacles are not provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.
Bring any glass container into any park or recreation area.
Cause or permit to run loose any animal.
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or throw missals at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird; nor shall any person remove or have in their possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird.
Walk a dog without a leash. Swim in any playa lake owned or controlled by the City of Levelland or within any other impounded body of water within the city limits of the City of Levelland not classified as a swimming pool.
With the approval of the ordinance, the rules amended include: Erect, place or use any inflatable structure designed for adults or children to jump and play on or in (commonly referred to as a bouncy, bounce house or inflatables).
Construct or erect any type of item or structure , including but not limited to tents or shade devices, that require the use of stakes being placed into the ground to secure the item.
For those who enjoy fishing, rules are in place for Lobo Lake and Brashears Lake. Those rules include: The use of trotlines is prohibited.
All fishing shall be from the shoreline.
Fish taken from the lake may not be used as bait.
The use of nets or seines is prohibited.
All fish caught should be immediately released and returned to the lake.
Permits for special events in parks and recreation areas shall be obtained by application to the City Secretary in accordance with the following procedure: A person seeking issuance of a permit hereunder shall file an application stating: The name and address of the applicant.
The name and address of the person, persons, corporation or association sponsoring the activity, if any.
The day and hours for which the permit is desired.
The park or portion thereof for which the permit is desired.
Any other information reasonably necessary to a determination as to whether a permit should be issued hereunder.
Standards for issuance of a use permit shall include the following findings: That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public’s enjoyment of the park.
That the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
That the proposed activity or uses that are reasonably anticipated will not include violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
That the proposed activity will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the city.
That the facilities desired have not been reserved for other use on the date and hour requested in the application.
Within ten days after the receipt of an application, the City Secretary shall tell an applicant in writing of her decision made in consultation with the city parks superintendent to grant or deny a permit; in the event of a denial the notification shall include the reason for the denial. Any aggrieved person shall have the right to appeal to the City Council by serving written notice thereof on the City Secretary within five working days of said refusal.
Said City Secretary shall immediately forward the application and the reasons for its refusal to the City Council. The City Council shall decide whether to grant the permit within ten days from the receipt of the appeal by the City Secretary, or at its first meeting after the appeal, whichever is later. The decision of the City Council shall be final.
A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as though the same were inserted in said permits.
An applicant for a permit may be required to submit evidence of liability insurance covering injuries to members of the general public arising out of such permitted activities in such amounts as may be from time to time determined prior to the commencement of any activity or issuance of any permit.
The City Council shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of violation of any rule or ordinance or upon good cause shown.
Lastly, park hours are still in effect for all park areas.
It shall be unlawful for any person to enter into, remain, or use any public park or recreation area owned by the city, or jointly owned by the city and the county located within the municipal limits, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12 a.m. (midnight) and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday unless the person: Is participating in an athletic event that has been permitted by the city and is authorized by the permit to occupy the park or recreation area when the park or recreation area would otherwise be closed in accordance with this section; Is participating in a special event that has been permitted by the city and is authorized by the permit to occupy the park or recreation area when the park or recreation area would otherwise be closed in accordance with this section; after the normal closing hours listed herein; Is a member of law enforcement while performing law enforcement duties and activities; Is a member of an organization or entity that provides emergency services and is occupying the park or recreation area in response to an emergency; Is an employee or agent of the city, utility company or other public services company and is occupying the park or recreation area while engaged in providing, maintaining or repairing public service utilities; or Is permitted to camp or stay overnight in a vehicle or trailer in an area designated for camping or staying overnight under Section 12.211 of this code.