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Park District Rules/Regulations for Governing Use of Parks & Facilities

General Use Ordinance Guide

The Park Board sets the rules and regulation for general use of park district property pertaining to green space and recreation facilities.  To read a copy of our "General Use Ordinance," click the link and a downloadable pdf will be displayed.  ORDINANCES

Some of the most common ordinances that patrons need to be aware of are listed below.

Use of Drones

Did You Know? 
Except when necessitated by an unavoidable emergency, no person shall fly, permit, or authorize the flying of manned aircraft of any kind at any time over District property at an elevation lower than the minimum safety requirements established by the Federal Aviation Administration or other relevant governmental authority. 

Best Practices can be found on page 15 of the General Use Ordinance. 

Bounce Houses at Your Picnic

Did You Know?
Bounce Houses are not permitted at your special event on District property without a permit from the District. 

Best Practices can be found on page 10 of the General Use Ordinance. 

Use of Alcohol or Cannabis

Did You Know?   
No person shall bring, possess, sell, or deliver to another person or use cannabis or any controlled substance upon District property unless they are following the Illinois State Statutes regarding marijuana and/or cannabis. Possession of cannabis is prohibited in a vehicle unless the cannabis is in a sealed, odor-proof, child-resistant cannabis container and reasonably inaccessible while the vehicle is moving.

Best Practices can be found on page 17 of the General Use Ordinance. 

Being in the Park after Dark | When Parks Close

Did You Know? 
Most parks in the Springfield Park District are open from sunrise until 10:30 p.m. in the evening of the same day and the parks shall be closed to the public from 10:30 p.m. each day until sunrise the following day. Exceptions: multi-use trails, Gurgens, Enos, Gehrmann, Riverside, and Carpenter Parks will all close at sunset. 

 Best Practices can be found on page 4 of the General Use Ordinance. 

Motorized Bicycles on Trails or in Parks

Did You Know?   
Motorized Bicycles on Trails or in Parks is prohibited.

Best Practices can be found on page 26 of the General Use Ordinance. 

Dogs at the Springfield Park District

Did You Know?   
Dogs must remain on a leash at all times. Owners must pick up after their dog.

No pets are allowed at the Henson Robinson Zoo. For the safety of your animals and ours pets are not allowed in the zoo. Service animals are welcome. 

Best Practices can be found on page 12 of the General Use Ordinance. 

Vandalism Alert

Did You Know?   
The Springfield Park District has experienced vandalism within several of its parks and buildings.

We need your eyes and your help to stop these criminal acts. If you witness the act of vandalism please call the police immediately and report it by calling 911. If you notice graffiti and property damage in the parks or district buildings please call the Springfield Park District Police at 217-698-6030.

You may also make a report under the Report Vandalism or Suspicious Activity on the Park Police page or in the Report Issue button on the FREE Springfield Park District app.

Any assistance from our residents would be greatly appreciated in reporting and putting an end to these crimes. The Springfield Park District will prosecute these senseless acts to the full extent of the law.


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