Those who use Tecumseh’s city parks will be impacted by a new city ordinance that closes the parks from midnight to 6 a.m., with juveniles being affected by the closure 15 minutes before their standard curfew times.
Violation of a new city ordinance carries penalties of a $150 fine for the first offense and $275 for subsequent offenses.
The Tecumseh city council passed the ordinance Monday night, along with an emergency clause, putting the ordinance into effect immediately.
Signage will be placed at city parks before fines are enforced, then the city’s police officers will be tasked with making routine checks of the parks.
The ordinance, prompted by repeated problems of vandalism occurring overnight at city parks, states that it shall be unlawful for any minor to be in, on or about any city park property from 15 minutes prior to curfew time until 6 a.m., unless the minor is under the direction and control of a parent, guardian or other responsible adult.
In Tecumseh, the curfew for those age 14 and under is 10 p.m. every night, meaning juveniles must leave city parks by 9:45 p.m.
The ordinance also makes it unlawful for any person to be at any city park when it is closed, which will be between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., unless authorized by the city manager or a designee of the park for specific uses, such as ball games.
As part of the ordinance, and with the exception of city maintenance equipment, it’s also unlawful for persons to drive, park or operate any vehicle in a city park unless it is on paved roads or parking areas.
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Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962.
