Rules and Regulations
For Parks Owned and Operated by CNP Utility District
Section 1. Authority.
The Board of Directors of CNP Utility District, acting in its capacity as the governing body of CNP Utility District, adopted these Rules and Regulations.
Section 2. Administration.
The Board of Directors hereby designates the Park Manager along with the Harris County Sheriff, the Harris County Constables, and their respective deputies, to enforce these Rules and Regulations.
Section 3. Definitions.
As used in these Rules and Regulations: Alcoholic Beverage means any beverage containing more than one-half of one percent (.5%) of alcohol by volume, which is suitable for use as a beverage, either alone or diluted. Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of CNP Utility District. District means CNP Utility District. Explosive means any chemical compound or mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion. Individual means a human being. Light truck means any truck with a manufacturer’s rated carrying capacity not to exceed two thousand (2,000) pounds and it intended to include those trucks commonly known as pickup trucks, paneled delivery trucks, carryall trucks, and vans. Park means a property owned, operated, or maintained by the District for recreation and enjoyment by the general public. Park Manager means the company and/or individual named or designated as a Park Manager by the Board of Directors of the District. Peace Officer means a peace officer as defined in article 2.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended. Person means any individual, group of individuals, organization, corporation, or other legal entity, but does not include the District. Pet means a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility. Special Event means a non-routine organized activity intended for more than fifty (50) individuals to share a common purpose as a group. Vehicle means every device in, upon, or by which any individual or property may be transported or drawn upon a road, except a device moved by human power. Weapon means a rifle, bow and arrow, club, handgun, firearm, illegal knife, shotgun, short-barrel firearm, gas gun or gas pistol, BB gun or BB pistol, pellet gun or pellet pistol, zip gun, sling or sling shot, and includes those objects defined as weapons or prohibited weapons in chapter 46 of the Texas Penal Code, as amended. Wildlife means living creatures that are neither human nor domesticated.
Section 4. Park Use.
No person shall use a park, or any area or facility therein, for any purpose other than for the purpose for which was designed or designated. Children under the age of ten (10) shall be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Section 5. Park Hours of Operation.
No person shall enter into or remain within a park at any time other than during such time as the park is open to the public as designated on the sign posted at or near the entrance of the park, unless given prior written approval by the Board of Directors or its agent. Additionally, the Board of Directors of the District and/or the Park Manager has the authority to close a park at any time and for any reason, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and/or the Park Manager. If not otherwise indicated by posted signage, a park is deemed to be closed if the gates to the park lots are closed and locked.
Section 6. Vehicles.
No person shall operate a vehicle within a park except on the parking lots therein. This provision does not apply to park maintenance or patrol vehicles. No person shall operate a truck within a park. This provision does not apply to light trucks or trucks making deliveries of materials, supplies, and equipment purchased or rented by the District. No person shall operate a vehicle in a park at a speed in excess of ten (10) miles per hour. No person shall cause a vehicle to be parked within a park, except in a designated parking area. No person shall cause a vehicle to remain within a park after-hours or in excess of twenty-four (24) hours at any given time unless one of the officers named in Section 2 is notified and approval is granted. Vehicles remaining within a park for which approval has not been granted will be towed and placed in storage by the appropriate peace officer at the owner’s expenses.
Section 7. Alcoholic Beverages.
No person shall possess or consume alcoholic beverages in a park at any time.
Section 8. Wildlife.
No person shall willfully harm, harass, trap, confine, catch, feed, or possess any wildlife within a park. Note: This does not include persons who have specific authority from the Park Manager to remove dangerous animals from the park.
Section 9. Plant Life and Amenities.
No personal shall willfully destroy, disturb, cut, injure, damage, deface or remove any tree, shrub, vine, wildflower, grass, fern, moss, leaves, cones, turf, soil, sand, gravel, landscape material, dead or downed wood, or any other plant life within a park without the consent of or under the direct supervision of the Park Manager. No personal shall willfully destroy, disturb, cut, injure, damage, deface or remove any rock, monument, bench, picnic table or other structure, apparatus, amenity, or other park property.
Section 10. Fires/Smoking.
No person may light, build, or maintain a fire within a park other than within a camp stove or barbecue pit. Smoking of tobacco products is prohibited in the park. If a burn ban is in effect, no fires or smoking will be allowed.
Section 11. Weapons.
No person, other than a peace officer, may carry or possess a weapon within a park. However, other than at a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event in the park, a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun under the authority of subchapter H, chapter 411, of the Texas Government Code may carry a concealed handgun.
Section 12. Explosives.
No person may possess or discharge gunpowder or other combustibles, explosives, or fireworks within a park. This provision does not apply to gasoline and other petroleum products in fuel tanks of motor vehicles, propane or petroleum products intended to be used as fuel for cooking, or petroleum products used to power an electric generator.
Section 13. Animals.
No person may bring into or possess in a park any animal other than a dog or domestic cat. Any person bringing a dog or domestic cat into a park shall keep the dog or domestic cat confined to a vehicle or secured by a leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length (including retractable leashes).
Section 14. Glass Beverage Containers.
No person shall use or possess any glass containers in a park.
Section 15. Metal Detectors.
No person may bring into or possess in a park any metal detector unless the operator has specifically contracted with the District for survey, discovery, excavation, restoration, demolition, or study.
Section 16. Reservations.
Any person may reserve a pavilion. Reservations may be made on-line 24/7 at www.lentsfamilypark.com. Use of pavilion will be approved by the Park Manager on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests should be made at least ten (10) business days prior to the proposed use. Pavilions may be reserved in two (2) hour increments as a maximum of four (4) hours per reservation. A person who desires to use the facility must make a reservation and furnish the appropriate deposit for cleanup costs and damages, if any. The Deposit is $25. Deposits are refundable subject to these terms and conditions minus a processing fee of $1.05. So you will receive $23.95. Cash or Check payments must be made the next business day after making the reservation. The reservation will be cancelled if payment is not received. Partial payments are not accepted. If the area is not cleaned, or the facility or its furnishings are damaged, the Park Manager shall determine the amount necessary to compensate the District for the expense of remedying this default. This amount shall be deducted from the deposit, and the balance, if any, shall be refunded to the person who paid the deposit.
Section 17. Use of Loudspeakers.
The use of loudspeakers within a park shall be governed by sections 42.01(a)(5) and (c) of the Texas Penal Code, Disorderly Conduct.
Section 18. Dumping and Littering.
The disposal of rubbish in any manner other than by depositing it in trash cans provided for this purpose, the willful destruction of or damage to or theft of District property, the creation of any hazard to persons or things, and the climbing upon plant bedding areas or any part of a public building are prohibited. No person shall bring into a park any trash, refuse, or waste material.
Section 19. Solicitations, Advertisements and Sale of Goods and Services.
The solicitation or sale of goods and services, or the seeking of donations for a cause, is prohibited unless the person receives the prior written approval of the Board of Directors. The distribution, posting placement or erection of any advertisement, handbill, circular, bill, notice, paper or other advertising device is prohibited.
Section 20. Camping.
No person shall engage in overnight camping in a park.
Section 21. Special Events.
No person shall solicit for, hold, or sponsor a special event in a park or park facility without the prior written permission of the Park Manager, who shall require the provision of liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 for injury or death to one person, $300,000 for injury or death of more than one person, and $100,000 for injury or damages to property in any one accident or occurrence, with the District named as insured. In addition, the person is required to furnish one or more peace officers, depending on the size of the special event, for security purposes. The minimum number of officers required for security is one (1) peace officer per 1-100 individuals.
Section 22. Decorum.
No person shall use any threatening, abusive or insulting language or other language constituted as “fighting words”. No person shall commit any obscene, lewd or indecent act or create a nuisance of any kind. No person shall disturb in any manner any picnic, meeting, service, concert, exercise or exhibition. No person shall play or bet at or against any game that is played, conducted, dealt or carried on with cards, dice or other devices for money, chips, shells, credit or any other thing representing value, or maintaining or exhibiting any gambling table or other instrument or gambling or gaming.
Section 23. Dog Parks.
DOG PARK HOURS: DAWN TO DUSK, unless otherwise posted. All dogs must be leashed when entering or leaving the park. All dogs must have current rabies and other vaccinations as required by the Harris County Public Health Department and should be healthy and free of contagious diseases and parasites. Dogs must wear current license tags in the dog park. Never leave dogs unattended. Dogs must be in view and within voice command of their handlers. Dog handlers must carry a leash with them at all times while in the park. Dog handlers are responsible for picking up and disposing of all of their dog’s waste. Dogs in heat are prohibited. Dogs showing any signs of aggression must be leashed and immediately removed from the park. Dogs under 4 months of age are prohibited. All dogs must be under the control of an adult and there is a limit of 2 dogs per adult in the dog park at any time. No food or drink (dog or human) allowed in the park. Amenities in dog park are intended for canine use only.
Section 24. Splash Pad.
Hours of operation: 10 AM – 8 PM (Seasonally) No: loud music, pets, food or beverages in or around splash pad area No glass containers in or around splash pad area No profanity All users must wear appropriate swim attire when utilizing splash pad All infants who are not toilet trained must wear swim diapers when utilizing the splash pad No unattended children under the age of 10
Section 25. Soccer Fields.
Soccer Fields located at Lents Family Park West are dedicated for use by Texas Rush Soccer Club. Texas Rush has exclusive access to the fields between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. during all official practices, games, clinics, camps, events and tournaments conducted by or sponsored by Texas Rush. Fields are available to the public at all other times during daylight hours only. Fields may be closed during inclement weather at the sole discretion of the District or Texas Rush.
Section 26. Effect on Existing Law.
These Rules and Regulations are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all federal, state, and municipal laws, rules, and regulations applicable within a park.
Section 27. Enforcement.
The Park Manager or his designee shall be authorized to remove any person who violates any of these Rules and Regulations from the park. In addition to removal from the park, charges may be filed against a violator under Section 31.
Section 28. Severability.
The provisions of these Rules and Regulations are severable. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence, section, provision, or part of these Rules and Regulations should be held invalid or unconstitutional, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions, and is hereby declared to be intent of the Board of Directors that these Rules and Regulations would have been adopted as to the remaining portions, regardless of the invalidity of any part.
Section 29. Amendments.
These Rules and Regulations may be amended at any time at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Section 30. Posting.
These Rules and Regulations shall be posted at www.lentsfamilypark.com.
Section 31. Offenses.
In addition to any penalty provided by the laws of the State of Texas, a violation of these Rules and Regulations is an offense punishable as a Class C misdemeanor and offenders shall be subject to a penalty of up to $500.00 each day for each violation. The District shall seek full restitution for any damage to District property caused by any person(s) that violates these rules and regulations.
Section 32. Effective Date.
These Rules and Regulations shall become effective on November 1, 2011. All previously adopted rules and regulations are superseded and repealed effective the same date.