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AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CITY TRAILS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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WHEREAS, the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas has constructed, and plans to continue constructing, a system of city trails and shared-use paths for use by the public;
WHEREAS, for the purpose of this ordinance all city built or maintained pedestrian infrastructure 8 foot or wider for the majority of its length or where marked with designated signage shall be governed as a “City Trail”;
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the residents of the City of Jonesboro that certain rules and regulations be placed on public use of the City Trails, to protect the safety and welfare of the users of the City Trails and the residents of the City of Jonesboro.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: Restrictions on Use of Vehicles on City Trails
a) The use on City Trails of motor vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles and recreational off -highway vehicles as defined by Ark. Code Ann. § 27-21-102, and including motorcycles, dirt bikes, golf carts, and any gasoline-powered vehicle, is prohibited without the written permission of the Mayor.
b) No unauthorized vehicles may be used at any time on any portion of the City Trails.
c) Bicycles, electric scooters, wheelchairs, skates and similar items are permitted on the City Trails as long as such use does not create safety hazards or generally impede other City Trail users.
Section 2: Rules of the City Trails
a) Pedestrians and joggers on the City Trails shall walk or jog near the right side of the trail to accommodate faster runners or cyclists passing on the left side of the trail.
b) Runners, joggers, cyclists, skaters, and other users of the City Trails shall use the right side of the trail unless passing slower traffic. Passing should be completed on the left side of the trail. All users of the trail passing on the left side of the trail should be mindful of the safety of other users and verbally announce when passing slower traffic.
c) All persons using City Trails should be mindful of the safety of others. Anyone using City Trails who behaves in a manner indicating a disregard for the safety of others shall be subject to the penalties described below.
d) No person shall deface, damage or destroy any part of the City Trails, including any buildings, structures, improvements, signs, benches, or fixtures near or adjacent to the City Trails. No person shall leave permanent marking, writing, painting, or graffiti on any part of the City Trails, including any buildings, structures, improvements, signs, benches, or fixtures near or adjacent to the City Trails.
e) Users of the City Trails are required to clean up after their dogs, cats or household pets on or around the City Trails.
f) No person shall create an obstruction on city trails, including but not limited to, parked vehicles, trailers, yard waste, waste receptacles, discarded furniture or any other object that limits passage or creates a safety hazard to trail users.
g) Nothing in this Ordinance shall be interpreted as limiting the rights of any disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Arkansas Civil Rights
Act, or any other state or federal law.
Section 3: Penalties
a) Any person who violates Section 1 or Section 2 above shall be guilty of a violation under Arkansas law and shall be fined no less than $100 nor more than $500 for the first violation, and shall be prohibited from using City Trails for a period of six (6) months.
b) Any person who violates Section 1 or Section 2 above multiple times shall be guilty of a violation under Arkansas law and shall be find not less than $250 nor more than $ 1,000 and shall be prohibited from using City Trails for a period of one (1) year.
c) Any person who violates Section 2(d) above shall also be liable for criminal restitution related to or pertaining to the repair of any City Trail or adjacent improvement.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 3RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024.