Parks & Recreation

Park Rules:

Vehicles and Transportation:

• Motorized vehicles are not allowed on trails or any undesignated parking areas.
• Inline skates, roller skates, skateboards, and bicycles are only permitted on areas specifically designated for their use.
• No person shall abandon a vehicle or other personal property at any park facility. Abandoned property shall be removed, impounded, and disposed of in accordance with City of Ruston ordinances and the appropriate laws of the State of Louisiana. Likewise, no person may leave a vehicle, boat, barge, jet ski, trailer, tractor, or other property unattended at any park facility in such a manner as to create a hazardous or unsafe condition, or be in violation of a park curfew. Such property may be removed to a safe place or impounded. 

Pets:

• All pets must be on a leash and under the control of their owner while on park property. Leads and leashes shall not exceed ten feet in length. Park patrons shall not allow a pet, even if leashed, to disturb other patrons or to create a nuisance while on the park property. 

Safety:

• Firearms are not allowed on park property, except by duly authorized law enforcement personnel. 
• Fireworks are not allowed at any time on park property.
• No person may build, ignite, or maintain an open fire or flame on any park property, except in an appropriate facility or device provided, maintained, or designated for such purpose, or as authorized by the Parks and Recreation Director.
• Park patrons shall not operate any noise-making device in violation of local ordinances. 

Hours of Operation:

• City of Ruston parks are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Hours of use may be extended for special events, or as otherwise approved by the Parks and Recreation Director. 

Natural Resources:

• All park vegetation and wildlife are protected at all times. No person shall damage, disfigure, pollute, or remove any natural resource. Hunting and trapping is prohibited in all park areas, although fishing is allowed with the appropriate State of Louisiana fishing license. No person shall willfully injure, mutilate, thrash, or destroy any vegetation on park property. No person shall collect, harvest, or stack dead wood. The collection of pecans and other fruits, is allowed; the thrashing of trees for this purpose is prohibited. 

Reservations and Facility Use:

• Park patrons shall not use or occupy any facility or area for which a reservation fee has been paid. Parties with confirmed reservations have priority at all times. Reservations may be made in accordance with the City of Ruston policy. 
•  Public demonstrations, political rallies, or assemblies are not allowed on any park property. 
• Any area under the control of the City of Ruston Parks and Recreation Department may be closed by the Parks and Recreation Director until such time as the site can again be made available to the public. Except in the case of emergencies, notice of such closures shall be posted. 
• Park patrons engaged in disruptive, destructive, or hazardous conduct may be asked to stop such conduct by any park attendant. In such cases where the park patron’s conduct is unlawful, or poses an imminent threat of injury, or prevents public enjoyment of the park or facility, appropriate law enforcement personnel will be immediately summoned. 
• No advertising or posting of any signage, including handbills and temporary signs, is allowed on park property without the written permission of the Parks and Recreation Director. 
• No person shall conduct commercial sales or offer to sell any goods, wares, drinks, food, or other items, nor render any service for hire at any park or facility except as authorized in writing by the Parks and Recreation Director. 
• Park patrons shall not use offensive language, make unreasonable noise, engage in offensive gestures, or otherwise disrupt the peace and quiet of any park.
• No person shall camp, erect a tent, or arrange bedding for the purpose of remaining overnight in any park or facility. Use of a trailer, camper, or other vehicle for the purpose of remaining overnight is likewise prohibited.
• All persons shall comply with all posted signage and abide by all City of Ruston ordinances and state and federal laws while on park properties or facilities. 

Alcohol and Glass Containers:

• The sale, possession with intent to sell, or the consumption of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs is prohibited in all City of Ruston parks. Alcohol may be permitted inside rentable facilities in accordance with current City policy.
• Glass containers are prohibited at all times on park properties, with the following exceptions: 
        (a)  Glass-lined vacuum bottles and glass-lined picnic beverage containers.
        (b)  Baby bottles or jars containing food for consumption by a baby.

Water Safety:

• Swimming is prohibited in all lakes, ponds, creeks, and other waterways within park areas. 

Additional Regulations:

• Special rules and regulations may be developed for specific facilities or for special events.