New Rules for Fairbury City Parks Proposed

This is a much expanded version of a story that first ran Wednesday, August 23, 2023The Fairbury City Council voted to adopt “supplemental rules” for the city's parks at a meeting on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Ordinances such as this require three readings and three votes by the council unless waived by the council. The council considered waiving the three readings but Councilperson Bradley Kuzelka said, “I just hate to ram it through and then someone have an issue and not be able to voice their concerns.”Therefore, the first of three readings was voted on and approved unanimously. The next two readings will be at subsequent city council meetings and the public will have the opportunity to voice any objections or opinions.These rules and regulations apply to all City of Fairbury parks, including McNish, City, Optimist, Conrad, and Crystal Springs and are authorized by § 90.01 of the Fairbury Municipal Code:All City of Fairbury parks, park facilities, parking lots, and trailheads shall be closed from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Exceptions to this rule are areas designated for camping at Crystal Springs Park and any modification requested by a person or organization that is approved by the City Council. The supplemental rules include:Fishing And HuntingNo bow fishing or spearfishing is allowed in or at any park. Fishing shall be in accordance with Nebraska state law, observing both fishing size and possession limits. No person shall hunt in a City park.Winter Activities Ice skating, skiing, hockey, and snowmobiling is prohibited in all city parks. No permanent ice fishing shelter, structure, or facility is allowed on any city property. Temporary ice fishing shelters, structures, or facilities may be erected but must be removed daily by the user. Sledding is an at your own risk activity. There is no officially designated sledding location in any city park.Firearms and ArcheryNo projectiles of any kind may be discharged in any city park.Grills and FiresBarbecue grills (charcoal and propane) must be a minimum of 24 inches off the ground. Grills are not allowed on picnic tables. Fires are only allowed at Crystal Springs in fire pits/rings that are provided by the park facility. Fires and charcoal must be doused and properly disposed of before the user leaves them unattended.AlcoholAlcoholic beverages are prohibited in all city parks with the exception of the designated campground areas at Crystal Springs. Consumption or possession of an open container is prohibited on all city park roadways.FireworksFireworks are prohibited in all parks unless a permit has been obtained in advance.DronesDrones may not take off or land in a city park or city right-of-way unless under 0.55 pounds/250 grams (recreational). All drone users (commercial or over 0.55 pounds/ 250 grams) must abide by all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations for flying over any open space, including a park.Drone racing is prohibited unless a special permit is obtained from the city for use in a designated area and all applicable permits are obtained from the FAA. FAA regulations for outdoor racing include additional guidelines that must be maintained by a group to comply.Anyone caught in violation of city or FAA rules or regulations will be subject to action by the FAA or the potential of being banned and barred from all city parks.Common Areas and Park LandCommon areas are city-owned land that is for the benefit of the residents and visitors of the city. They are not intended to be an extension of the adjacent homeowner's property. Any encroachments are subject to removal by the city at the homeowner's expense.Use of TrailsTrails are multi-use in nature with various acceptable shared activities and users. Authorized trail users include walkers, joggers, runners, skateboards/rollerblades, pet owners and pets (with their registered animal on a leash), bicyclists (this includes E-Bikes and E-Scooters).Unauthorized trail uses include all gas, natural gas, or electric powered motor vehicles, such as Motorcycles, Utility Vehicles, Go-carts • ATV's • Snowmobiles or any other type of motorized vehicle used as a transportation.PetsNo pets are allowed on city sports fields, courts, or within any sports complex. Any pet in a park or on a trail should always be leashed. Pet owners are responsible for the behavior relating to damage or harm to other animals or users. Owners are responsible for the removal of any waste made by their pets.ParkingNo users of a city park, public property, sports field, or sports complex are allowed to charge other users an admittance fee or charge for parking.SheltersAll shelters are available on a first-come-first-served basis.BoatsBoats, with a no wake restriction of a maximum of five (5) miles per hour, are allowed at Crystal Springs. State regulations must be followed with regards to boats (age of operator, boat registration, life jackets).Commerical ActivityNo commercial vending is permitted in city parks without prior written city approval. Commercial soliciting of any kind without a permit is prohibited, unless previously authorized by the city.Crystal Springs Camping Check in time is 11:00 am; check out time is 10:30 am. Camping or occupying locations within a designated camping area is permitted for a maximum of 14 consecutive days during any 30-day period, unless otherwise authorized by city staff. Quiet Hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.- includes campground and parking areas.ProhibitedThe following items are prohibited in city parks: glass bottles and containers, bounce houses and metal detectors.The following activities are prohibited in city parks: Washing or servicing of vehicles or personal property. The destroying, digging, removing, or possession of any tree, shrub or plant, except that the collection and possession of dead wood found on the ground for use as fuel in campgrounds or picnic areas is permitted unless otherwise posted. Begging, soliciting, and hitchhiking.

Jody Duke Arrested

SCC Backs Off from Maximum Tax Levy

Related Articles

Fairbury Remains Under Water Warning

Secretary of StateEncourages Nebraskans to Register to Vote

Governor Offers Statement on Status of Special Session for Winner Take All

Gage County Historical Society to Tour Stained-Glass Windows