In order to protect visitors and the park, and in order to promote quality visitor experiences for everyone, there are certain activities that are prohibited and restricted within Lawrence County Parks. These prohibitions and restrictions are based on Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS-state law), Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR) and Kentucky Department of Parks Policy Memoranda.

1.LIST OF PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

Drinking Alcoholic Beverages KRS 222.202(2) A person is guilty of drinking alcoholic beverages in a public place when he drinks alcoholic beverages in a public place. KRS 222.203(1) A peace officer shall make an arrest for a violation of KRS 222.202.

2. Littering

KRS 512.070(1) A person is guilty of criminal littering when he:
(a) drops or permits to drop on a highway any destructive or injurious material and does not immediately remove it; or (b) knowingly places or throws litter on any public or private property without permission. KRS 433. 753 When any paper, waste material, litter or other refuse is thrown or dropped from a motor vehicle, the operator thereof shall be deemed prima facie to be guilty of criminal Littering.

3. Injuring or Removing Plants

l(RS 433. 750 A person who picks, pulls, digs, tears up, cuts, breaks, burns or otherwise damages any tree shrub, flower, vine, bush or turf or the right of way of any state highway or county road or upon any land set aside, dedicated or maintained by this state as a public park or as a refuge or sanctuary for wild animals, birds or fish, without having first obtained permission in writing of the engineer having charge of the highway, or the superintendent or custodian of the park, refuge or sanctuary shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $300.

4.Writing On or Defacing Park Property or Natural Rock Formations

KRS 512.040(1) A person is guilty of criminal mischief in the third degree when: (a) having no right to do so or any reasonable ground to believe that he has such right, he intentionally or wantonly defaces, destroys or damages any property.

5. Injuring Wildlife

KRS 148.029(1) All areas controlled by the Department of Parks and designated as camping, hiking or other family-oriented recreation areas are designated wildlife sanctuaries for the purpose of affording protection to the wildlife thereon as natural, integrated, interrelated, ecological communities. (2) No unauthorized person shall enter a wildlife sanctuary and take, damage, injure, kill, destroy or unduly disturb the wildlife therein.

6. Swimming

304 KAR 1:020 No person shall swim, bathe, or otherwise enter any water owned by …or under the control of the Lawrence County, Department of Parks … unless they are within a swimming area designated by the Department of Parks.

7. Dogs Running at Large

KRS 258.215(1) Peace officers or animal control officers shall seize and impound any dog which does not bear a valid rabies tag or other legible identification which is found running at large. Any dog which an officer or animal control officer seizes shall be impounded in the designated animal shelter of the county and confined in a humane manner. If, after a reasonable effort, the seizure of an unrestrained dog cannot be made, or the dog presents a hazard to public safety or property or has an injury or physical condition which causes the dog to suffer, the animal control officer or peace officer may immediately destroy the dog by the most reasonable and humane means then available.

8. LIST OF RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES

(These activities require permits or written permission from park officials.) No person,

corporation or any other entity shall conduct or engage in any form of trade, business or other

commercial activity, and may not perform any type of service for compensation within the

boundaries of any lands owned by, leased to or under the control Lawrence County,

Department of Parks, without obtaining the prior written consent of the Department of Parks

and such consent shall not be withheld on a discriminatory basis.

9. ACTIVITIES SOMETIMES RESTRICTED

A. Building Fires

During periods of extreme forest fire danger (these times will be posted) fires of any type may be prohibited. Normally, cooking fires are permitted in any of the park’s grills, or in suitable private grills. No ground fires are permitted without prior permission from park officials.

B. Hiking

Park hiking trails may be closed on rare occasions when forest fire danger is extremely high. These times are posted. Otherwise, hiking trails are open continuously for clay hiking only. Overnight backcountry camping is not permitted anywhere, in the vicinity of the park’s developed hiking trails.

C. CAMPGROUND RULES AND REGULATIONS

D. Use of non-licensed vehicles in campgrounds

Please note that the Lawrence County Department of Parks permits the use of non-licensed vehicles in campgrounds, including golf carts, only by those individuals with a disability. This policy will be enforced for the safety of all guests.

SECTION 1

At all county park campgrounds, the following rules shall be observed:

(1) Camping, unless otherwise authorized by the park manager due to a special event creating an overflow, shall be restricted to the campground.

(2) A tent, a camping vehicle, a recreational vehicle, camping equipment, or other personal property shall not be left unattended longer than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours without written perm1ss1on from the park manager.

Written permission pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be based upon the best interests of the park.

(3) Pets shall:

1. Be kept on a leach or otherwise restrained at all times;
2. Have current inoculations for rabies as prescribed by the camper’s state of residence; and
3. Not be ties to trees or shrubs.
4. Campers shall clean up after their pets.’
5. Campers unable to control their pets may be asked to leave the campground.

(4) (a) Sewage or gray water from tents or recreational vehicles shall not be posed of on the premises of the campground except at a sewage disposal site,

     (b) Dishes, pots, pans and silverware shall not be washed at spigots or in bathhouses,

     (c) Vehicles or equipment shall not be washed within the campground,

(5) Quiet time begins 11 p,m. Campers shall not have visitors after 11 p,m,

(6) Campers shall not:

     (a) Hang lanterns on trees or shrubs;

     (b) Drive an object into a tree, shrub, sign, building, or other object or structure in the campground;

     (c) Trench or dig in the campground,

(7) (a) Motorbikes, motorcycles, motor scooters, and off-road vehicles in the campground shall be restricted to regular roadways for use in entering and exiting only.

(b) Campers and visitors shall not joy ride four (4) wheelers, golf carts, mopeds, or similar vehicles within the campground.

(c) Drivers shall be at least sixteen (16) years of age and have a valid driver’s license.

(d) Vehicles shall be properly muffle red and shall stay on paved roads.

(e) An exception shall be made for the use of a motorized vehicle by a person

with a Disability who:

1. Is using a motorized vehicle for travel to or from campground facilities; and
2. Has proof of disability such as an appropriate identification card or vehicle license plate.

(8) (a) Campsites may be reserved by telephone or via the Internet.

      (b) Any campsites not reserved shall be available on a first-come, first served basis,

      (c) Check-in time is 2 p.m., and check-out is 1 p.m.

(9) (a) There shall be a fourteen (14) day maximum stay unless granted a waiver by the park manager for good cause due to an emergency or business necessity.

      (b) A camper may be asked to move to facilitate maintenance on the site.

      (c) Campers shall not homestead.

(10) (a) A camper shall register at the entrance gate or designated area and shall receive a campsite assignment from the gate attendant, which shall be noted a camping permit.

      (b) A camper shall not change a campsite assignment, unless permission to move is granted by the gate attendant.

      (c) If campers are permitted to select a site of their choice, they shall return immediately to the gate attendant and identify the chosen site.

(11) Central service buildings and other facilities in the camping area shall be for campers and their guests only. Anyone other than registered campers or guests of registered campers shall not picnic, sightsee, or have reunions in the campground.

(12) Fires shall be restricted to fire rings in designated areas only and shall be attended at all times.

(13) (a) Vehicles shall be parked in campsite spaces and parking lots and shall display a “car pass” or “visitor pass”.

         (b) Vehicles shall not block adjacent sites or roadways.

(14) Tables shall not be moved from site to site.

(15) (a) Two (2) groups or parties may share one (1) campsite.

         (b) If two (2) groups or parties agree to share one (1) campsite, each shall be issued a camping permit, if two (2) tents, campers, or recreational vehicles are used.

(16) (a) Campers shall keep their sites clean and dispense of refuse in the receptacles provided.

         (b) Campers may camp on grass only with prior permission of the gate attendant or park manager.

(17) Alcoholic beverages shall not be publicly displayed.

(18) Fireworks shall not be allowed at the campground.

(19) Campers shall:

      (a) Report loss, theft, accident, or disturbance to gate attendant; and

      (b) Turn in all found property to gate attendant.

(20) (a) A camper shall not deface or damage park property.

         (b) Failure to comply with paragraph (a) of this subsection may result in arrest. fine, or eviction from the park property.

(21) All visitors shall sign in and out, display a visitor pass, and obey all campground rules.

(22) More than two (2) visitors’ passes shall not be issued per site.

(23) (a) A camper or camper’s guest shall not engage in fighting, threatening or abusive language: lewd acts, or conduct that causes public inconvenience, annoyance, alarm, unreasonable noise, or disturbing to campground patrons.

         (b) Failure to comply with paragraph (a) of this subsection may result in arrest,

fine, or evection from the park property.

SECTION 2

Sanctions

The park manager reserves the right to remove any camper or camper’s guest from the

premises for violation of this administrative regulation. (1 Ky.R. 756; eff. 5-14-75; Am. 5 Ky.R.

549; eff. 2-7-79; 15 Ky.R. 2103; eff. 4-26-89; 27 Ky.R. 1545; 2127; eff. 2-15-2001; 32 Ky.R. 1925;

2267; eff. 7-7-06; 34 Ky.R. 855; 1414; eff. 1-4-2008.)

Refund Policy  (effective 9-1-2023)

All cancelations must be made 7 days prior to reservation date.

A 50% fee plus taxes will be charged for cancellation within the allowed 7 days

Customer may request change of date at no cost in lieu of cancellation.

NO REFUNDS will be given outside of the minimum 7 day notice requirement.

SECTION 3

327.7 Camping

(a) Camping is permitted only at sites and/or areas designated by the District Commander.

(b) Camping at one or more campsites at any one water resource project for a period longer than 14 days during any 30-consecutive-day-period is prohibited without the written permission of the District Commander.

(c) The unauthorized placement of camping equipment or other items on a campsite and/or personal appearance at a campsite without daily occupancy for the purpose of reserving that campsite for future occupancy is prohibited.

(d) The digging or leveling of any ground or the construction of any structure without written permission of the District Commander is prohibited.

(e) Occupying or placement of any camping equipment at a campsite which is posted or otherwise marked or indicated as “reserved” without an authorized reservation for that site is prohibited.

327.9 Sanitation

(a) Garbage, trash, rubbish, litter, gray water, or any other waste material or waste liquid generated on the project and incidental to authorized recreational activities shall be either removed from the project or deposited in receptacles provided for that purpose. The improper disposal of such wastes, human and animal waste included, on the project is prohibited.

(b) It is a violation to bring onto a project any household or commercial garbage, trash, rubbish, debris, dead animals or litter of any kind for disposal or dumping without the written permission of the District Commander. For the purposes of this section, the owner of any garbage, trash, rubbish, debris, dead animals or litter of any kind shall be presumed to be responsible for proper disposal. Such presumption will be sufficient to issue a citation for violation.

(c) The spilling, pumping, discharge or disposal of contaminants, pollutants or other wastes, including, but not limited to, human or animal waste, petroleum, industrial and commercial products and by-products, on project lands or into project waters is prohibited.

(d) Campers, picnickers, and all other persons using a water resources development project shall keep their sites free of trash and litter during the period of occupancy and shall remove all personal equipment and clean their sites upon departure. (e) The discharge or placing of sewage, gallery waste, garbage, refuse, or pollutants into the project waters from any vessel or watercraft is prohibited.

327.10 Fires

(a) Gasoline and other fuels, except that which is contained in storage tanks of vehicles, vessels, camping equipment, or hand portable containers designed for such purposes, shall not be carried onto or stored on the project without written permission of the District Commander.

(b) Fires shall be confined to those areas designated by the District Commander, and shall be contained in fireplaces, grills, or other facilities designated for this purpose. Fires shall not be left unattended and must be completely extinguished prior to departure. The burning of materials that produce toxic fumes, including, but not limited to, tires, plastic and other floatation materials or treated wood products is prohibited. The District Commander may prohibit open burning of any type for environmental considerations.

(c) Improper disposal of lighted smoking materials, matches or other burning material is prohibited.

327.11 Control of Animals

(a) No person shall bring or allow dogs, cats, or other pets into developed recreation areas or adjacent waters unless penned, cages, on a leash under six feet in length, or otherwise physically restrained. No person shall allow animals to impede or restrict otherwise full and free use of project lands and waters by the public. No person shall allow animals to bark or emit other noise which unreasonably disturbs other people. Animals and pets, except properly trained animals assisting those with disabilities (such as seeing-eye dogs), are prohibited in sanitary facilities, playgrounds, swimming beaches and any other areas to designated by the District Commander. Abandonment of any animal on project lands or waters is prohibited. Unclaimed or unattended animals are subject to immediate impoundment and removal in accordance with state and local laws.

(b) Persons bringing or allowing pets in designated public use areas shall be responsible for proper removal and disposal of any waste produced by these animals.

(c) No person shall bring or allow horses, cattle, or other livestock in camping, picnicking, swimming or other recreation areas or on trails except in areas designated by the District Commander.

(d) Ranging, grazing, watering or allowing livestock on project lands and waters is prohibited except when authorized by lease, license or other written agreement with the District Commander.

(e) Unauthorized livestock are subject to impoundment and removal in accordance with Federal, state and local laws.

(f) Any animal impounded under the provisions of this section may be confined at a location designated by the District Commander, who may assess a reasonable impoundment fee. This fee shall be paid before the impounded animal is returned to its owner(s).

(g) Wild or exotic pets and animals (including but not limited to cougars, lions, bears, bobcats, wolves, and snakes), or any pets or animals displaying vicious or aggressive behavior or otherwise posing a threat to public safety or deemed a public nuisance, are prohibited from project lands and waters unless authorized by the District Commander, and are subject to removal in accordance with Federal, state and local laws.

327.12 Restrictions

(a) Quiet shall be maintained in all public use areas between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., or those hours designated by the District Commander. Excessive noise during such times which unreasonably disturbs persons is prohibited.

(b) Any act or conduct by any person which interferes with, impedes or disrupts the use of the project or impairs the safety of any person is prohibited. Individuals who are boisterous, rowdy, disorderly, or otherwise disturb the peace on project lands or waters may be requested to leave the project.

(c) The operation or use of any sound producing or motorized equipment, including but not limited to generators, vessels or vehicles, in such a manner as to unreasonably annoy or endanger persons at any time or exceed state or local laws governing noise levels from motorized equipment is prohibited.

(d) The possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages on any portion of the project land or waters, or the entire project, may be prohibited when designated and posted by the District Commander.

327.13 Explosives. firearms. other weapons and fireworks

(a) The possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, or other weapons is prohibited unless:

1. In the possession of a Federal, state or local law enforcement officer;
2. Being used for hunting or fishing as permitted under 327.8, with devices being

unloaded when transported to, from or between hunting and fishing sites;

3. Being used at authorized shooting ranges; or
4. Written permission has been received from the District Commander.

(b) Possession of explosives or explosive devices of any kind, including fireworks or other

pyrotechnics, is prohibited unless written permission has been received from the District Commander.

327 .14 Public Property

(a) Destruction, injury, defacement, removal or any alteration of public property including, but not limited to, developed facilities, natural formations, mineral deposits, historical and archaeological features, paleontological resources, boundary monumentation or markers and vegetative growth, is prohibited except when in accordance with written permission of the District Commander.

(b) Cutting or gathering of trees or parts of trees and/or the removal of wood from project lands is prohibited without written permission of the District Commander.

(c) Gathering of dead wood on the ground for use in designated recreation areas as firewood is permitted, unless prohibited and posted by the District Commander.

(d) The use of metal detectors is permitted on designated beaches or other previously disturbed areas unless prohibited by the District Commander for reasons of protection of archaeological, historical or paleontological resources. Specific information regarding metal detector policy and designated use areas is available at the Manager’s office.

Items found must be handled in accordance with Sections 327.15 and 327.16, except for non-identifiable items such as coins of value less than $25.00.

VERIFICATION

I, __________________________ do hereby state that I have read and understood the Lawrence County Parks Laws and Regulations, I further understand that failure to abide by the Laws and Regulations shall be grounds for immediate removal from the park and forfeiture of any and all fees.

This the _____ day of___20___