InWestmoreland Parks and Recreation

Park ordinances require people using the parks to leave them as they find them: clean, unpolluted, and intact. Glass containers are not permitted in the parks because of the safety hazard they represent when broken. State Public Bathing Law 899 prohibits swimming in park lakes, streams, or rivers. Private boats of any kind and all terrain vehicles, unless otherwise specified, are prohibited. Pets on leashes are allowed except in one posted area on the Lower Lake at Twin Lakes Park. Please enjoy the parks, but do not disturb others with boisterous conduct, gambling, vending or advertising. The Bureau’s prior written permission must be obtained before any open fire can be built.

The Rules and Regulations of Westmoreland County pertaining to County Parks, buildings, and other County owned properties are as follows:

No person except those authorized by Westmoreland County or conducting official County business, shall, on any County owned property:

• Bring glass bottles or containers into the park.
• Paste, tie, glue, post, fasten, paint, draw, carve or otherwise affix any placard, bill, notice, sign advertisement, or any inscription within any County owned property.
• Congregate or consume alcoholic beverages in any parking area or along any roadway.
• Park any vehicle in a place other than a designated parking area.
• Continuously cruise or ride in or on any motor vehicle in, through, or around any park or County owned property.
• Clean, wash, wax, polish, paint, repair, or do any work whatsoever on private vehicles, except for emergency repairs.
• Bring into or operate any snowmobile, motorized trail bike, mini-bike, or all-terrain vehicle.
• Leave a picnic area before the fire or hot coals are completely extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers, cans, garbage and other refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided.
• Ice fish or ice skate on any County owned lake except in those areas designated for such activity. These activities are not permitted unless the ice meets acceptable thickness standards.
• Bring any dangerous animal onto County owned property. To permit a domesticated animal within any park without it being controlled by a leash not more than six (6) feet long. Domestic animals are permitted in designated areas only. The owner or other person bringing an animal into a County Park shall be responsible for cleaning and properly disposing of any fecal excrement of such animal.
• Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose whether public or private.
• Bring into or operate any privately owned boats, canoes, rafts or any other watercraft upon any lake, pond, or other water area except for those approved by the County for specific watercraft use.
• Bathe, swim, or wade in any body of water on County owned property. Wading for the purpose of fishing is permitted in streams and rivers.
• Hunt, trap, cart, bring into, and/or discharge any type of gun, pistol, revolver, air gun, bow and arrow, slingshot, or any other weapon except in those specific areas designated for such purposes.
• Areas in the County Parks that are open for hunting will be restricted by the type of firearm or bow and arrow that may be used.
• Deer Hunting in County Parks will be permitted with shotguns using rifled slugs, muzzle loaded rifles, or with bows and arrows in accordance with Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations.
• Small game and fur-bearers are permitted to be taken with shotguns and bows and arrows only.
• Fire, discharge, set off, explode, bring into or possess any rocket, fire cracker, torpedo, missile, or other type of fireworks, or any substance of an explosive matter.
• Camp at any time. Organized groups can apply for a permit for group camping.
• Dive, putt, practice or play golf in any manner without written permission.
• Bring into or operate any type of power driven model without permission.
• Make any ascent in any balloon or airplane or any descent in or from any balloon, airplane, or parachute in any park unless authorized.
• Bring or attempt to build or start fires except in designated areas.
• Consume intoxicating beverages in, on, or within 20 yards of any parking areas, roads, road berms, or vehicles.
• Expose or offer for sale or trade any article, thing, or service, except when a special permit is issued for that purpose.
• Announce, advertise, or call public attention to in any manner any article, thing or service for sale, trade or hire except when a special permit is issued for that purpose.
• Mark, disfigure, disturb, remove, destroy or cause to be destroyed any building, bridges, table, benches, or other structures or equipment, facilities or County owned property or appurtenances.
• Damage, cut, carve, transport or remove any tree or plant.
• Kill, injure, trap, hunt, pursue, torture, or in any manner deliberately disturb or cause to be disturbed any wild or domesticated bird or animal except as permitted in designated areas.
• Roller skate, roller blade, or skateboard in any park unless specific facilities are provided for such purposes.
• Violate the regulation that use of individual fireplaces, fire rings, grills and tables follows generally the rule of “First Come, First Served,” except for those facilities that have been reserved through special permit.
• Ride or walk a horse in any area except along roadway shoulders or specifically designated areas or trails, but not within 30 yards of any picnic or play area.
• Park hours are from 9:00 a.m. to dusk, unless different hours are designated or special permission is granted.