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Milwaukee County Parks
 

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Milwaukee County Parks Code of Conduct

(November 1, 2023) 

Milwaukee County Parks is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for staff and park patrons who visit and enjoy our parks, community centers, water and recreation facilities, golf courses, and all our other venues and facilities. Fulfilling our mission “to steward a thriving park system that positively impacts every Milwaukee County Park visitor” begins with providing our staff and visitors with experiences that are free of harassment, threats of verbal or physical violence, or other disruptive behaviors. By adhering to the Milwaukee County Employee Handbook, all staff are also complying with the Milwaukee County Parks Code of Conduct.

The Milwaukee County Parks Code of Conduct outlines expectations for all individuals using Milwaukee County Parks and/or its facilities or those participating in programming offered by our staff or within our facilities. By utilizing park facilities or programming, you agree to the Milwaukee County Parks Code of Conduct* and contribute to a positive experience for everyone.

*This Code of Conduct is not an all-inclusive list. Related offenses and behaviors may also violate these provisions and may result in the imposition of one or more penalties prescribed by the Wisconsin Statutes or Milwaukee County Code of Ordinances.

 

Park Property & Facilities

  • Do not damage, deface, or remove park structures, signs, equipment, or any other property belonging to Milwaukee County Parks or any of its partners. 
  • Use Park facilities only for their designated purposes and follow all guidelines and/or rules and regulations posted. 
  • Dispose of all trash and waste in designated bins or containers. 

 

Conduct & Behavior 

  • Treat all park visitors, staff, and volunteers with respect. 
  • Do not engage in disruptive, aggressive, or threatening behavior that may disturb or intimidate others. 
  • Do not engage in discriminatory, offensive, or derogatory speech or behavior. Do not use abusive language or gestures. 
  • Foster an atmosphere of open dialogue and constructive communication, respect, and value the opinions and perspectives of others. 
  • For everyone’s enjoyment, we ask our park visitors to keep noise levels down and limit activity that generates excessive noise.

 

Safety & Security

  • Adhere to all posted safety guidelines, protocols, and emergency procedures. 
  • Respect and comply with all access restrictions, including areas marked as off-limits or designated for authorized personnel only. 
  • Do not engage in any behavior that could jeopardize the safety or well-being of yourself or others. 

 

Compliance & Consequences

When a visitor is in violation of the guidelines in this Code of Conduct, the Executive Director of Parks may invoke their powers as authorized by the Milwaukee County Code of Ordinances including but not limited to:

Noise – Chapter 47, Subsection 022 

  1. No person shall use or operate any radio, phonograph, musical instrument, or other mechanical, electrical sound making, reproducing or amplification device in a park or parkway so as to be heard at a distance greater than fifty (50) feet from the above-described instrument or device, radios or phonographs. 
  2. No such radio, phonograph, musical instrument, or above-described device may be used or operated within the park within fifty (50) feet of the legal boundaries of the park or parkway such that the device can be heard outside the park or parkway. 
  3. The director of parks, recreation and culture, or designee, or the county board, may authorize or permit musical shows, cultural events, public gatherings and exhibitions which are not limited by this section. 

Disorderly Conduct – Chapter 47, Subsection 16 

  1. Disorderly conduct. No person shall engage in violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud, or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which such conduct tends to cause or provoke a disturbance. 
  2. Person guilty of disorderly conduct to be removed. No person violating any of the prohibitions enumerated in subsection (1) of this section shall be allowed to remain in any park or parkway. 

Closing Park or Parkway Facilities to the Public –  Chapter 47, Subsection 23

In case of an emergency, or when in the judgment of the director of the department of parks, recreation, and culture the public interest demands it, any portion of the parks or parkways or building therein may be closed to the public, or to designated persons, until permission is given to return. 

Supplementary Rules – Chapter 47, Subsection 31 

  1. To adopt additional or revised rules and regulations for the proper conduct and administration of the parks and parkways in the county not inconsistent with chapter 47 of the Code. 
  2. To grant permits in conformity with the provisions of chapter 47 of the Code. 
  3. To perform such other acts with reference to the management of the said parks and parkways as are lawful and as they may deem expedient to promote the beauty and usefulness of said parks and parkways, and to increase the comfort, safety, convenience, and public welfare of the citizens of the county and of visitors to said parks and parkways in their use of the same. 

The Executive Director of Parks and/or their appointee(s) have discretion in determining the consequence for infractions to Milwaukee County Parks Code of Conduct up to and including suspension from parks, community centers, water and recreation facilities, golf courses, and all our other venues and facilities. Some infractions may result in possible criminal prosecution.

 

Conclusion

By adhering to Milwaukee County Parks Code of Conduct, you are contributing to our mission “to steward a thriving park system that positively impacts every Milwaukee County Park visitor.” 

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.