West Springfield Park & Recreation

Park Playground Rules & Regulations

 

The Mayor, pursuant to the West Springfield Home Rule Charter and Ordinances, hereby makes and publishes the following rules for the use of all parks and playgrounds.

 

A) All public parks and playgrounds shall be closed between dusk and dawn, unless otherwise posted. For 

the purposes of these rules and regulations dusk ends one-half (1/2) hour after sunset and dawn 

begins one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise.

B) No person is permitted in a park or playground between dusk and dawn unless otherwise authorized as 

set forth in these rules and regulations.

C) Any unauthorized motor vehicle in any park or playground between dusk and dawn shall be towed at 

the owner’s expense.

D) The following are not permitted activities in all public parks and playgrounds:

1. To damage, injure, deface, or destroy any property, including but not limited to any tree, shrub, 

plant, rock, building, cage, pen, monument, lawn, fence, bench, or artifact.

2. To litter, deposit trash or debris or any other materials, except within containers provided 

therefore.

3. To deposit or dispose of any household or commercial refuse of any sort.

4. To post or display signs, placards or any other advertising devices.

5. To solicit contributions except as otherwise set forth herein.

6. Fund raising activities by non-profit charitable organizations are prohibited, except where the 

proceeds will be used for the benefit of organizations for the education and/or enrichment of 

children, such as the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, such activities may be 

permitted by the Park and Recreation Department upon issuance of a permit by said 

department.

7. To remove any bench or any other municipal property from the premises.

8. To operate or drive any motor vehicle (including, but not limited to: automobile, truck, 

motorcycle, motorbike, mini-bike, snowmobile, ATV, go-cart, 4 wheel drive vehicle) upon any 

part of the park or parkway except paved roads, and designated parking areas.

9. To operate or park an unregistered motor vehicle of any type.

10. To start fires, except in fireplaces provided by the Town for use by the public. In times of dry 

weather, a total ban on the use of fire shall be indicated by the posting of notices at 

appropriate locations.

11. To allow a dog in any park or playground unless the person having control of a dog, has it on a 

leash. No person shall allow his or her dog on play areas, playfields, tennis courts, swimming 

pools, wading pools or any structure under any circumstances. All persons in control of a dog 

are responsible for removal of dog feces. 

12. To fish or hunt on any park property, except at such places and times as shall be authorized by 

the laws of the Commonwealth and the Director of Parks and Recreation, and then only if duly 

licensed.

13. To hit golf balls.

14. To operate commercial vehicles in any parks and playgrounds, except as authorized by permit 

issued by the Mayor or his/her designee.

15. To operate a motor vehicle in excess of 15mph on any park road and parking areas.

16. To repair any motor vehicle.

17. To wash or clean or polish any motor vehicle.

18. No car radio, musical instrument, radio, tape player or other sound amplification device shall be 

operated in a manner that significantly interferes with the use or enjoyment of the park by 

other members of the public. 

19. To erect or maintain a tent, shelter, camp, lodge, or other structure in any park or playground 

without the prior written consent of the Mayor or his/her designee.

20. To play any game, sport or activity, whether organized or informal, on any park land specifically 

designated or designed for another use if that game, sport or activity will cause damage to the 

land or interfere with an activity in progress or one that has been scheduled.

21. To disobey any legal request or order of the Police, or any agent or employee of the Town of 

West Springfield.

22. To use or possess a firearm, explosive device, bow and arrow, blowgun, sling shot, B.B. gun, 

paintball gun, pellet gun, spear or trap or any other such device.

23. To possess and consume alcohol unless permitted in accordance with a permit issued by the 

Mayor or his/her designee and a Special License to serve beer and/or wine issued by the 

License Commission. 

 

Rules and regulations governing permits for the possession and consumption of beer and wine are 

available in the Office of the Park and Recreation Department. 

The Mayor or his/her designee may, after request for a waiver of any of the above rules and regulations, 

grant said request where he/she determines the health, safety and welfare of the public and the intended 

purpose of the operation of park or playground is found not to be adversely affected.

Any person violating any of the above rules and regulations shall, in addition to any other civil or criminal 

penalty, be subject to a fine of $25.00 for first offense, $50.00 for second, $100.00 for third and 

subsequent offenses. Violators may also be prohibited by the Director of Park and Recreation from future 

use of the parks and playgrounds.

 

Persons using these premises and properties do so at their own risk.

The Rules and Regulations may be enforced by means of a non-criminal ticketing procedure as set forth in 

the Town ordinance adopted pursuant to G.L. Ch. 40, 21D.

The Mayor may amend these rules and regulations, as he/she deems appropriate.

These Rules and Regulations adopted the date hereinafter written and to be become effective upon their 

publication in the West Springfield Record.

 

Revised 5/31/2007

 

 

 

 

 

Pool Pass Policy for Main Street and Memorial Pool

 

Main Street and Memorial Pools are open to West Springfield residents at no charge. Proof of valid residency is required.

The Town of West Springfield welcomes visitors to utilize the Town’s recreational swim facilities for a nominal fee.

 

To use the pool a West Springfield resident must show his/her picture I.D. or pool pass to the pool attendant. 

Attendant will sign resident in and give the resident back his/her pool pass. 

 

POOL PASS REQUIREMENTS FOR WEST SPRINGFIELD RESIDENTS:

Middle School and High School students will use their Student I.D.’s issued from the West Springfield School  system as their pool pass.

Adults will use a picture I.D. as their pool pass (Drivers license, DTA Card, PVTA Card, United Check Cashing I.D.)

 

If an individual does not have a picture I.D. a pool pass will be issued by the W.S. Park and Recreation Department

providing that the resident supplies two of the following documents:

School Report Card (Children)

School Records

Utility Bill (post marked within last 30 days)

Rental or Lease agreement (signed within last 30 days)

Mortgage statement

A fee of $5.00 will be charged for lost passes.

 

 

NON-RESIDENT POLICY:

 

The Town of West Springfield welcomes visitors to utilize the town’s recreational swim facilities for a nominal fee:

 

Daily

Adults: 16 years of age – 55 years            $4. per day, per person

Seniors: 56+ years                                       $2. per day, per person

Children: 3 years – 15 years                       $3. per day, per person

Children: 0 - 2 years                                    No Charge

 

Season Pass

Adults: 16 years – 55 years                       $40. per person

Seniors: 56+ years                                      $25. per person

Children: 3 years – 15 years                      $30. per person

Children: 0 – 2 years                                   No Charge

 

Family Season Pass

4 Persons maximum                                 $100.

 

Add $15. For each additional person, no senior discount

 

A $5. fee will be charged for all lost passes.

 

Daily passes will be sold at the facility and the Park & Recreation Office.

Season passes will be available only at the Park & Recreation Office.

 

Daily passes may be redeemed as credit towards a season pass.

 

The Park & Recreation office is located at 26 Central Street, West Springfield. 

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm

 

Approved P&R Commission 5/2007 – Updated by P&R Commission 3/2015

 

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User Fee Policy for Recreational Programs

 

Purpose

Within the West Springfield Park and Recreation Department programs you will notice different fees for Town of West 

Springfield Residents (R) and Non-Residents (NR). The Town of West Springfield residents make a significant 

contribution to the financing and operation of the West Springfield Park and Recreation Department through town 

property taxes. These taxes are paid whether or not individuals participate in programs. To ensure equity, non-residents 

(those living outside the West Springfield Town limits) will be charged a non-resident fee in addition to the program fee 

based upon the type of program offered. 

 

The two types of fee structures are; 

(1) Self-Supporting – Programs where the registration fee covers the direct cost of the program. Non-resident 

fee will be the program fee plus an additional administrative fee of $10. 

(2) Fair-Share (non-resident fee) – programs where tax dollars are allocated to offset registration fees for 

residents. Non-residents will be charged the program fee plus an additional equitable based fee, to offset 

the tax dollars contributed by residents. 

 

The Director of Park and Recreation will review the fees on an annual basis and submit an annual fee schedule to the 

Park and Recreation Commission for review. The Director has the authority to limit/cap the amount non-residents 

allowed into a program and/or designate a registration time frame for non-residents. 

 

Guidelines to determine residency

To establish a child’s residency, a valid driver’s license, a copy of a Purchase/Sales Agreement, Lease Agreement, or 

Rental Agreement or other evidence of residency, the sufficiency of which will be determined by the West Springfield 

Park and Recreation Department and its representatives and employees, must be provided, at the time of registration. 

Failure to provide adequate proof of residency will result in you being charged the non-resident rate, and your family 

will be processed as a non-resident.

 

The child must be residing in West Springfield with at least one parent or legal guardian who has physical custody, or, if 

living with a non – parent/guardian must be able to demonstrate that he/she has residency in West Springfield for 

purposes other than to participate in programs in West Springfield. If the child is not residing with a parent or legal 

guardian, the parent/legal guardian and the West Springfield citizen with whom the child is living must both provide 

letters of certification of residency, which specify why the child is living in West Springfield, and with whom. These 

letters must accompany the program registration form. 

 

Eligibility for participation in West Springfield Park and Recreation Department sponsored or co-sponsored programs will 

be determined by the child’s residence at the time they are assigned to a team by the appropriate board or authority, 

or, in the event such activity is not a sports related program, on the date the program commences. In the event that the 

child’s residence changes during the course of the program (s), such child will be allowed to complete the program (s). 

The Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners reserves the rights to amend, reject, or take no action on all appeals of 

this policy if they deem it in the best interest of the Town to do so.

 

Registration process

West Springfield resident’s registrations will be processed first. Non-residents will have an opportunity to register for 

programs on a space available basis after Town residents have had an opportunity to register. Non-residents may be 

placed on a waiting list, and will be eligible to register if an opening exist after all West Springfield residents from the 

waiting list are given first right of refusal. 

 

Supersedes Policy: February 28, 2005

Effective: (date) To start with basketball 2012 registration

Voted & Approved Park & Recreation Commission on February 13, 2012 – UAV

Approved by the Mayor – September 7, 2012