RES 2021-0648 - City of Omaha Park Rules City Clerk Office Use Only:
�` i� Publication Date (if applicable):
RESOLUTION NO. 21-1L1- -� �,��
Agenda Date:
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Submitter: ,Wivee(Imo 1/U
CITY OF OMAHA
LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER
Omaha, Nebraska
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OMAHA:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section 21-1 of the Omaha Municipal Code, the
Director of the Parks, Recreation and Public Property Department may establish rules regulating the use of
parks within the City, which must be approved by resolution of the City Council; and,
WHEREAS, such rules have not been updated for a number of years; and,
WHEREAS, the Parks, Recreation , and Public Property Department desires to establish additional
rules to clarify existing ordinances, to set forth specific rules on park closure hours, prohibited acts and other
matters, and to aid City prosecutors in prosecuting offenders; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor has recommended acceptance of this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OMAHA:
THAT, the attached list of Park Rules, as established by the Parks, Recreation and Public Property
Department shall be considered binding part of Chapter 21 of the Omaha Municipal Code.
APPROVED AS TO F RM:
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DEP TY CITY ATTORNEY DATE
Adopted: JI.L 1 zu
Attest: ,/
DEPUTY City
Approved: /U -- A
Mayor
CITY OF OMAHA PARK RULES
*These shall supplement the Park Rules set forth in Chapter 21 of the Omaha Municipal Code*
**These rules will be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Department annually to evaluate
their effectiveness and review any rules that need to be modified or changed to create the best
situation for parks users, programs participants, and the general community.**
1. PARK CLOSING: All City of Omaha Parks, park facilities, parking lots, golf courses,
trailheads, etc. shall be closed from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Exceptions:
a. Multi-use (shared-use) paved trails will remain open 24-hours a day with
the purpose of supporting those commuting or selecting a trail as their
main mode of transportation. Trail users must follow all Nebraska Bicycle
Laws and trail guidelines for safety. Use of the trails at any time is an at
your own risk activity and users must take all precautions during every
use. Trail users during the hours of 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM should not stop,
park, or gather in parks or other areas closed to activity.
b. Motor vehicles access on roads through parks that meet the following
criteria.
1. Connect two established city streets
2. Leads to homes or business
i. Specific Parks Include: Benson, Elmwood, Hummel, Levi
Carter, and Hefflinger.
This will include a standard 20 Miles Per Hour (unless posted otherwise)
for all Park Roads.
b. Campers at Lake Cunningham Park.
c. Any person or organization that requests a modification of said closing
times and such modification is approved by the City Council.
2. FISHING: No bow fishing or spear fishing is allowed from or at any City park or in any
City lagoon, lake, pond, or marina. Per City Ordinance, anyone under the age of 16 and older
than 62 can fish at any City facility during park hours. Anyone accompanying someone between
the ages of 16 and 62 may also fish. Age is not restricted at the lake in Dodge Park or at Carter
Lake.
3. WINTER ACTIVITIES: Winter sports such as skating, skiing, hockey, etc. are unauthorized
on all city golf courses unless a special permit is issued by the Director. No permanent ice
fishing shelter, structure or facility is allowed on any City lake, lagoon, or pond. Temporary ice
fishing shelters, structures or facilities may be erected but must be removed daily by the user.
4. SLEDDING: Sledding is an at your risk activity and not officially designated at any City
park location. Sledding is strictly prohibited at all dam site locations in and around where vents
or equipment is used to monitor the functions of the dam and/or are visible above ground. This
includes: Lake Zorinsky (dam site 13); Lake Cunningham (dam site 11); Standing Bear Lake (dam
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site 16); as well as Flanagan Lake and Lawrence Youngman Lake. Signage will also be posted
along these areas of each dam site.
5. RIDING HORSES: Riding horses shall only be allowed at Lake Cunningham and N.P.
Dodge Park, in designated areas.
6. SNOWMOBILING: Snowmobiling is unauthorized at all City parks except Lake
Cunningham. Snowmobiles are not allowed on the lake surface. All snowmobiles must be
properly licensed. The maximum speed limit for operation of snowmobiles is 35 miles per hour.
No operator of a snowmobile shall be less than sixteen years old. All operators and passengers
on any snowmobile shall wear protective head gear while the snowmobile is in operation.
7. FIREARMS: No firearms of any kind may be possessed or discharged in any City park
except for shotguns that are allowed under the rules and regulations of the Harry A. Koch Trap
and Skeet Range located in Seymour Smith Park. Such shotguns may only be in possession on
park property when entering or leaving the range and may be discharged only at the range in
accordance with range rules and regulations.
8. ARCHERY: No archery equipment of any nature may be possessed or discharged in any
City park except at Lake Cunningham Park at the public range; or any other special event
approved by or at the direction of the Parks Department. Such equipment may only be in
possession on park property when entering or leaving the park and may be discharged only at a
range, site or location specifically designated for such an event.
9. GLASS BOTTLES AND CONTAINERS: Glass bottles and containers are prohibited in all
City parks.
10. GRILLS AND FIRES: BBQ grills (charcoal and propane) must be a minimum of 24" off the
ground. Grills are not allowed on picnic tables. Fires are only allowed in shelter house fireplaces
and fire pits that are provided by the park facility. Fires and coals must be doused and properly
disposed of before the park user leaves the site.
11. BOUNCE HOUSES: Neither individuals nor organizations may inflate or use a bounce
house or similar structure in any City of Omaha Park.
12. ALCOHOL: Is not allowed, unless a permit has been obtained as per City Ordinance
Section 21-14.
13. FIREWORKS: Fireworks are prohibited from all parks unless a permit has been obtained.
14. DRONES: Drones may not take off or land in a City park or City Right-of-Way unless
under 0.55 lbs. / 250 grams (recreational) or if a permit has been issued. All drone users
(commercial or over 0.55 lbs. / 250 grams), must abide by FAA rules and regulations for flying
over any open space including a City park. This includes registering your drone (if over 0.55
lbs./250 grams). Drone racing is prohibited unless a special permit is obtained by the City for
use in a designated area or park. Anyone then racing drones in that area must also obtain a
permit from the FAA for use by their recognized group. FAA regulations for outdoor racing
include additional guidelines that must be maintained by a group to be in compliance. Anyone
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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.
15. METAL DETECTORS: The City of Omaha requires a permit for metal detector use in our
parks, $25.00 for a 2 (two) year permit. The permit can be obtained through our website. For
questions or information call 402-444-5920.
16. COMMON AREAS AND PARK LAND: Common areas are City owned land that is for the
benefit of the residents of Omaha. They are not intended to be an extension of the adjacent
homeowner's property. Any encroachments are subject to removal by the City of Omaha at the
homeowner's expense. Click HERE for the full list of rules and regulations in regards to common
areas.
17. MOTORIZED VEHICLES ON TRAILS:Trails are multiuse in nature with various acceptable
shared activities and users.
Authorized trail users include;
• Walkers
• Joggers
• Runners
• Skateboards/Rollerblades
• Pet owners (with their registered animal on a leash)
• Bicyclists (this includes the use of all E-Bikes and E-Scooters)
Unauthorized trail uses include;
• Gas, natural-gas, or electric powered motor vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Utility vehicles
• Go-carts
• ATV's
• Snow mobiles
• Any other type of motorized vehicles used as a transportation
In the interest of safety of the multipurpose use of these recreational trails, a recommended
maximum speed of 20 miles per hour is to be maintained on any City trail at all times by any
user.Traveling above this rate creates a higher risk of accidents or injury based on the
multipurpose use of the trails. Trail users of any type should announce their presence and
reduce their speed when passing any other trail user.
18. PETS: No pets are allowed on City Sports Fields, Courts, and Golf Courses or within any
City Sports Complex. Any pet in a park or on a trail should be on a leash at all times. 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 pet.
19. PARKING: No users of a Park, Public Property, Sports Field or Complex are allowed to
charge an admittance fee or charge for parking unless a specific application has been submitted
to and approved by the Director. Driving or parking on grass or turf areas within a park are
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prohibited unless a permit is obtained through the Parks and Recreation Department. Any
damaged caused will be the responsibility of the individual to pay for repairs.
Dated `
Matthew K. Kalcevich, Director
Parks, Recreation and Public Property
Update July 2021
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