RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR COUNTY PARKS IN
HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
Section 1 Authority
The Commissioners Court of Harris County, Texas, acting in its capacity as the governing body of Harris County, Texas, adopted these Rules and Regulations. These Rules and Regulations are authorized by chapter 320 of the Texas Local Government Code for parks owned, operated, or maintained by the County.
Section 2 Administration
The Commissioners Court hereby designates the Park Superintendent for each precinct, along with the Harris County Sheriff, the Harris County Constables, and their respective deputies, to enforce these Rules and Regulations.
Section 3 Areas Covered
Except as specifically noted, these Rules and Regulations apply to all County parks located within Harris County, Texas.
Section 4 Definitions
As used in these Rules and Regulations:
| a. | Alcoholic Beverage means any beverage containing more than one-half of one percent (.5%) of alcohol by volume, which is suitable for use as a beverage, either alone or diluted. |
| b. | Commissioners Court means the Commissioners Court of Harris County, Texas. |
| c. | County means Harris County, Texas. |
| d. | Explosive means any chemical compound or mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion. |
| e. | Individual means a human being. |
| f. | Light truck means any truck with a manufacturer’s rated carrying capacity not to exceed two thousand (2,000) pounds and is intended to include those trucks commonly known as pickup trucks, paneled delivery trucks, carryall trucks, and vans. |
| g. | Park means a property owned, operated, or maintained by the County for recreation and enjoyment by the general public. |
| h. | Park Superintendent (Superintendent) means the individual named or designated as a Park Superintendent or Park Manager by the County Commissioner of the precinct occupied by the park, or part thereof, to which the rules are being applied. |
| i. | Peace Officer means a peace officer as defined in article 2.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended. |
| j. | Person means any individual, group of individuals, organization, corporation, or other legal entity, but does not include the County. |
| k. | Pet means a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility. |
| l. | Road means any road maintained or controlled by the County for public passage for vehicles within a park. |
| m. | Special Event means a non-routine organized activity intended for more than fifty (50) individuals to share a common purpose as a group. |
| n. | Vehicle means every device in, upon, or by which any individual or property may be transported or drawn upon a road, except a device moved by human power. |
| o. | Weapon means a rifle, bow and arrow, club, handgun, firearm, illegal knife, shotgun, short-barrel firearm, gas gun or gas pistol, BB gun or BB pistol, pellet gun or pellet pistol, zip gun, sling or sling shot, and includes those objects defined as weapons or prohibited weapons in chapter 46 of the Texas Penal Code, as amended. |
| p. | Wildlife means living creatures that are neither human nor domesticated. |
Section 5 Park Use
No person shall use a park, or any area or facility therein, for any purpose other than for the purpose for which is was designed or designated.
Section 6 Park Hours of Operation
No person shall enter into or remain within a park at any time other than during such time as the park is open to the public as designated on the sign posted at or near the entrance of the park, unless given prior written approval by the County Commissioner of the precinct occupied by the park.
Section 7 Vehicles
| a. | No person shall operate a vehicle within a park except on the roads or parking lots therein. Operation of a vehicle on the shoulder of the road will be permitted only if the driver is parking on the shoulder of the road or is driving a previously parked vehicle from the shoulder of the road to the paved portion of the road. This provision does not apply to park maintenance or patrol vehicles. |
| b. | No person shall operate a truck within a park. This provision does not apply to light trucks or trucks making deliveries of materials, supplies, and equipment purchased or rented by the County. |
| c. | No person shall operate a vehicle in a park at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit. |
| d. | No person shall cause a vehicle to be parked within a park, except in a designated parking area. Vehicles parked on the shoulder of a road in designated areas must be parked parallel to the road. |
| e. | No person shall cause a vehicle to remain within a park after-hours or in excess of twenty-four (24) hours at any given time unless one of the officers named in Section 2 is notified and approval is granted. Vehicles remaining within a park for which approval has not been granted will be towed and placed in storage by the appropriate peace officer at the owner’s expense. |
Section 8 Wildlife
| a. | No person shall willfully harm, harass, trap, confine, catch, feed, or possess any wildlife within a park. Note: This does not include persons who have specific authority from the Superintendent to remove dangerous animals from the park. |
| b. | Fishing in accordance with State of Texas laws and regulations shall be permitted within all parks, except as specifically prohibited. |
Section 9 Plant Life
No person shall willfully destroy or remove any tree, shrub, vine, wildflower, grass, fern, moss, leaves, cones, dead or downed wood, or any other plant life within a park without the consent of or under the direct supervision of the Superintendent.
Section 10 Fires/Smoking
Except in designated areas, no person may light, build, or maintain a fire within a park other than within a camp stove or barbecue pit. Smoking of tobacco products shall be confined to those areas designated for such in the park. If a burn ban is in effect, no fires or smoking will be allowed.
Section 11 Weapons
No person, other than a peace officer, may carry or possess a weapon within a park, except at specifically designated shooting and archery ranges or at special events for which weapons are expressly authorized in writing by the Park Superintendent. However, other than at a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event in the park, a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun under the authority of subchapter H, chapter 411, of the Texas Government Code may carry a concealed handgun.
Section 12 Explosives
No person may possess gunpowder or other combustibles, explosives, or fireworks within a park. This provision does not apply to gasoline and other petroleum products in fuel tanks of motor vehicles, propane or petroleum products intended to be used as fuel for cooking, or petroleum products used to power an electric generator. Note: This provision does not apply to reenactment of historical events where the Superintendent has authorized demonstrations using black powder weaponry as either an educational or theatrical tool.
Section 13 Animals
No person may bring into or possess in a park any animal other than a dog or domestic cat. Any person bringing a dog or domestic cat into a park shall keep the dog or domestic cat confined to a vehicle or secured by a leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length (including retractable leashes). No person shall bring into, or keep a horse in a park, except in areas or trails designated for horses.
Section 14 Glass Beverage Containers
No person shall use or possess any glass containers in a park.
Section 15 Metal Detectors
No person may bring into or possess in a park any metal detector unless the operator has specifically contracted with the County for survey, discovery, excavation, restoration, demolition, or study.
Section 16 Reservations
Any person may reserve a pavilion or other designated park facility (e.g., meeting room).
Reservations may be made by submitting a request to the Park Reservation Office for the precinct in which the park is located during the posted hours of operation. Additionally, reservations may be made for some, but not all, parks on-line 24/7 via the County’s on-line site reservation system at http://www.hctx.net/parks/park.asp.
Use of a pavilion or other park facility will be approved by the applicable Park Reservation Office on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests should be made at least ten (10) business days prior to the proposed use, but no person, except a concessionaire who has contracted with the County, shall be entitled to continuous, exclusive use of a park or park facility.
Section 17 Special Conditions/restrictions pertaining to the use and consumption of Alcoholic Beverages
No person shall possess or consume an alcoholic beverage in a park, except in compliance with the special conditions and restrictions noted below.
Park |
Area Within Park |
Conditions or Restrictions |
Christia Adair Park |
Barbecue pavilions |
(a) |
Christia Adair Park |
Community building |
(a) |
Tom Bass Park, Section I |
Barbecue pavilions |
(a) |
Tom Bass Park, Section I |
Arts Pavilion |
(f) |
Tom Bass Park, Section II |
Clear Creek Golf Course |
(f) |
Tom Bass Park, Section III |
Barbecue pavilions |
(a) |
Tom Bass Park, Section III |
Community building |
(g) |
Frankie Carter Park |
Barbecue pavilions |
(a) |
Challenger 7 Park |
Barbecue pavilions |
(a) |
Bill Crowley Park |
Picnic Area |
(d) |
Alexander Deussen Park |
Barbecue pavilions/shelters |
(a) |
Alexander Deussen Park |
Community building |
(g) |
Dow I Park |
Baseball complex & picnic area |
(e) |
Dow II Park |
Baseball complex & picnic area |
(e) |
Finnigan Park |
Sports Complex |
(e) |
Finnigan Park |
Community building |
(g) |
Gerber Park |
Pavilion |
(a) |
Barbara Jordan Park |
Community building |
(a) |
El Franco Lee Park |
Barbecue pavilion |
(a) |
El Franco Lee Park |
Community Center |
(g) |
Hardy Senior Center |
Community building |
(g) |
Lincoln Park |
Community building |
(g) |
“Pep” Mueller Park |
Baseball complex |
(e) |
“Pep” Mueller Park |
Community building |
(a) |
Sheldon Park |
Baseball complex |
(e) |
Leon Grayson Community Center/Baldree Building |
Community center |
(f) & (g) |
Highlands Park |
Highlands Community Center/San Jacinto Center |
(f) & (g) |
Edna Mae Washington Park |
J.D. Walker Community Center |
(f) & (g) |
Riley Chambers Park |
Riley Chambers Community Center/Barrett Station |
(f) & (g) |
North Shore Rotary Pavilion |
Pavilion |
(f) & (g) |
Clear Lake Park |
Landolt Pavilion |
(f) & (g) |
Clear Lake Park |
White Top Pavilion |
(f) & (g) |
Clear Lake Park |
Meeting Room |
(f) & (g) |
Clear Lake Park |
Bay Area Rowing Club, |
(f) & (g) |
Clear Lake Park |
Bay Area Community Center |
(f) & (g) |
East Harris County Activity Center |
Community Center |
(f) & (g) |
V. V. Ramsey Center/ Flukinger Center |
Community Centers |
(f) & (g) |
Alief Amity Park |
Pavilion |
(b) |
Bayland Park |
Pavilion |
(b) |
Bayland Park |
Community Center |
(c) |
Bear Creek Pioneers Park |
Pavilions |
(b) |
Bear Creek Pioneers Park |
Community Center |
(c) |
Bear Creek Pioneers Park |
Golf Course (Bear Creek Golf World) |
(f) |
Bear Creek Pioneers Park |
Houston Farm & Ranch Club Pavilions |
(b) |
George Bush Park |
Pavilions |
(b) |
George Bush Park |
Shooting Range (American Shooting Centers, Inc.) |
(f) |
Tracy Gee Community Center |
Community Building |
(c) |
Katy Park |
Pavilion |
(b) |
New Kentucky Park |
Pavilion |
(b) |
Hockley Park |
Hockley Community Center |
(c) |
Mary Jo Peckham Park |
Pavilion |
(b) |
Cypresswood Golf Course |
Cypresswood Golf Club |
(f) |
Spring Creek Park |
Pavilions |
(h) |
| (a) | A person who desires to use the facility must make a reservation, pay the appropriate user fee, and furnish the appropriate deposit for cleanup costs and damages, if any. The user fees and cleanup deposits are as follows:
If the area is not cleaned, or if the facility or its furnishings are damaged, the Superintendent shall determine the amount necessary to compensate the County for the expense of remedying this default. This amount shall be deducted from the deposit, and the balance, if any, shall be refunded to the person who paid the deposit. In addition, the person making the reservation must employ and pay the required number of peace officers who will provide security during the reserved period. The minimum number of officers required for security is one (1) peace officer per 1-100 individuals. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (b) | A person who desires to use the facility must make a reservation and furnish a deposit of $125 for cleanup costs and damages, if any. If the area is not cleaned, or if the facility or its furnishings are damaged, the Superintendent shall determine the amount necessary to compensate the County for the expense of remedying this default. This amount shall be deducted from the deposit, and the balance, if any, shall be refunded to the person who paid the deposit. In addition, the person making the reservation must employ and pay the required number of peace officers who will provide security during the reserved period. The minimum number of officers required for security is one (1) peace officer per 1-100 individuals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (c) | A person who desires to use the facility must make a reservation, pay a user fee of $100 for the first 4 hours plus $20 an hour up to 8 hours or the time the community center building closes. If the area is not cleaned, or if the facility or its furnishings are damaged, the Superintendent shall determine the amount necessary to compensate the County for the expense of remedying this default. This amount shall be deducted from the deposit, and the balance, if any, shall be refunded to the person who paid the deposit. In addition, the person making the reservation must employ and pay the required number of peace officers who will provide security during the reserved period. The minimum number of officers required for security is one (1) peace officer per 1-100 individuals. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (d) | The person using the area or facility must employ and pay the required number of peace officers who will provide security during the reserved period. The minimum number of officers required for security is one (1) peace officer per 1-100 individuals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (e) | No alcohol may be consumed in the baseball complex during games held by youth leagues. When no games are being conducted by youth leagues, alcohol may be consumed only if the person desiring to use the facility has employed and paid the required number of peace officers who will provide security during the reserved period. The minimum number of officers required for security is one (1) peace officer per 1-100 individuals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (f) | Alcoholic beverages may be consumed only if authorized in the concessionaire’s agreement or rental contract, or if approved by Commissioners Court. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (g) | Contact the community center director or park supervisor for rental information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (h) | A person who desires to use this facility must make a reservation and furnish a signed “Release and Indemnity” form for damages, if any. If the facility or its furnishings are damaged, the Superintendent shall determine the amount necessary to repair and restore the facility and shall have the County Attorney recover that amount from the person making the reservation. In addition, the person who makes the reservation must employ and pay the required number of peace officers who will provide security during the reserved period. The minimum number of officers for security is two (2) peace officers per 1-100 individuals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Section 18 Use of Loudspeakers
The use of loudspeakers within a park shall be governed by sections 42.01(a)(5) and (c) of the Texas Penal Code, Disorderly Conduct.
Section 19 Dumping and Littering
The disposal of rubbish in any manner other than by depositing it in trash cans provided for this purpose; the willful destruction of or damage to or theft of County property; the creation of any hazard to persons or things; and the climbing upon plant bedding areas or any part of a public building are prohibited. No person shall bring into a park any trash, refuse, or waste material.
Section 20 Solicitations and Sale of Goods and Services
The solicitation or sale of goods and services, or the seeking of donations for a cause, is prohibited unless the person receives the prior written approval of Commissioners Court.
Section 21 Camping
No person shall engage in overnight camping in a park, except, when authorized by the Superintendent, in an area specifically designated for camping.
Section 22 Special Events
No person shall solicit for, hold, or sponsor a special event in a park or park facility without the prior written permission of the Superintendent, who shall require the provision of liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 for injury or death to one person, $300,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $100,000 for injury or damages to property in any one accident or occurrence, with the County named as insured. In addition, the person is required to furnish one or more peace officers, depending on the size of the special event, for security purposes. The minimum number of officers required for security is one (1) peace officer per 1-100 individuals.
Section 23 Special Provisions
The following special provisions apply only to the parks designated:
- All Precinct 4 Parks - No weddings are allowed. All party favors containing paper, confetti, rice, silly string, glitter, or other filling which is designed to pop/break/shatter or otherwise burst and litter our parks are prohibited. This shall include but is not limited to: poppers, piñatas, confetti eggs, and silly string.
- All Pct. 3 Dog Parks - (Millie Bush Dog Park, Danny Jackson Family Dog Park, and Congressman Bill Archer Dog Park) - Please call 281-496-2177 or go to www.pct3.hctx.net for Dog Park Rules and Regulations.
- Astrodomain/Reliant Park Complex - exempt from the application of these Rules and Regulations.
- Jones Park - No pets, balloons, or moonwalks allowed.
- Ray Miller Park, Alief Amity Park, Bear Creek Pioneers Park – Equestrian Area - no pets allowed.
- Mercer Arboretum -
- No pets, moonwalks, or balloons allowed in the Botanical Gardens.
- Picnicking shall be allowed only in designated areas.
- All photographers (amateur and professional) must sign in at the Visitor Center to register, at which time they will receive a copy of the Photographer Rules and Regulations. Non-compliance of all rules and regulations and garden etiquette may result in removal from the premises.
- Armand Bayou Nature Center - Please call 281-474-2552 or go to the Web site – www.abnc.org
- Brays Bayou Hike and Bike Trail, Terry Hershey Park, and George Bush Park – A bicyclist using a hike and bike trail in any of these facilities shall not exceed the speed of ten (10) miles per hour while passing a pedestrian using the hike and bike trail.
- Sgt. J. R. Hatch Sport Park - Please call 281-496-2177 or go to www.pct3.hctx.net for Skate Park Rules and Regulations.
Section 24 Effect on Existing Law
These Rules and Regulations are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all federal, state, and municipal laws, rules, and regulations applicable within a park.
Section 25 Enforcement
The Superintendent or his designee shall be authorized to remove any person who violates any of these Rules and Regulations from the park. In addition to removal from the park, charges may be filed against a violator under Section 29.
Section 26 Severability
The provisions of these Rules and Regulations are severable. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence, section, provision, or part of these Rules and Regulations should be held invalid or unconstitutional, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions, and it is hereby declared to be the intent of the Commissioners Court that these Rules and Regulations would have been adopted as to the remaining portions, regardless of the invalidity of any part.
Section 27 Amendments
These Rules and Regulations may be amended at any time at the discretion of Commissioners Court.
Section 28 Posting
These Rules and Regulations shall be conspicuously posted at or near the entrance of all County parks.
Section 29 Offenses
In accordance with section 320.0455 of the Texas Local Government Code, a violation of these Rules and Regulations is an offense punishable as a Class C misdemeanor.
Section 30 Effective Date
These Rules and Regulations shall become effective on May 1, 2009. All previously adopted rules and regulations are superseded and repealed effective the same date.