Rules & Regulations

Rules & Regulations

Each location may have specific rules & regulations, so please check posted signs for that area.  Some general rules are listed below. For complete details please click here to access all the City Ordinances of Burlington.

Greenway Etiquette

  • Cyclists must yield to people walking. Pedestrians, people on foot, have the right of way at all times. Bikes and all other means of transportation should always use caution when in close vicinity to pedestrians. The bike path can get congested at some parts, please proceed slowly through crowded areas.
  • Cyclists should ride single file. Leave room for others to walk or pass you. If you need to pass, make sure it’s safe first.
  • Cyclists should alert others when passing. Say “passing on your left” and ring your bell, if you have one! This lets the people ahead of you know what you are doing.
  • Obey traffic signs. Cyclists must obey traffic lights and signs such as stop signs, yields, and pedestrian crossings. This keeps everyone safe and on the same page when it comes to understanding right of way.

Please take care of our parks

  • Don’t pick any flowers, fruit or foliage, or mutilate or injure any plants or structures in any of the city parks.
  • Don’t litter
  • Don’t bring glass bottles into parks (except while camping at North Beach)
  • Don’t camp anywhere, except at North Beach Campground
  • Don’t set off any fireworks
  • Don’t bring firearms into the parks
  • Don’t light open fires (City Ordinance doesn’t permit open fires of any kind in the City)
  • Don’t allow dogs to run loose, except in designated dog park areas
  • Don’t smoke in any playgrounds, shelters, beaches, bleachers or athletic fields
  • Don’t bring dogs onto public beaches in Oakledge Park, North Beach or Leddy Beach

Permits may be required

A park special use permit is required if one or more of the following conditions exist

  • A group of individuals of twenty (20) or more wish to use a park area or facility.
  • Reservation and exclusive use of a park area or facility for a specific time and date or on a continued scheduled basis
  • Use of park area or facility for an event open to the public
  • Use of park area or facility for commercial or fund-raising purposes
  • Sports tournaments or events where individuals or teams are charged a fee to participate or spectate
  • Use of park area for entertainers where donations or fees may or may not be solicited

Dogs in the Parks and Beaches

  • Dogs are allowed in our parks and public spaces, but must be on a leash
  • Dogs are NOT allowed on our public swimming beaches (Oakledge/Blanchard, Leddy, North Beach)
  • Learn more about places to take your pup.

Dog Park Rules

Open Dawn to Dusk

Rules for Humans:

  • Enjoy your time in the dog park. Show respect for everyone & be a good neighbor.
  • You are responsible for your dog(s)
  • Help keep this area clean and pick up after your dog. Place trash in bins and don’t litter.
  • All dogs, and children under 12 years old, must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
  • Limit of three (3) dogs per owner.
  • It’s best to have your dog visibly licensed and vaccinated according to law.
  • This area is for dog exercise only.
  • Please leave food & dog treats at home.
  • Dogs must be under voice control. Please have a leash in possession at all times.
  • Please don’t allow dogs to dig, unless there is a designated area. Fill in any holes they make.
  • No large dogs in small dog area.
  • No vicious/aggressive dogs or female dogs in heat allowed.
  • No glass or smoking in the park.
  • ALL dog bites must be promptly reported to Burlington Police Department: (802)658-2704. Emergency Call 911.

Rules for Dogs:

  • Please limit barking. No digging. Play nice. Woof!

Skatepark

Open Dawn to Dusk

RULES:

  • Skateboarding, biking and inline skating can result in serious injury: broken bones, paralysis, brain damage or even death. Skate at your own risk.
  • Help protect the surface; Scooters and BMX’s MUST have bar ends and bikes need plastic pegs or have none at all.
    Helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards are strongly recommended.
  • Skate to your abilities.
  • Parents and guardians are responsible for their children’s safety and for ensuring that their children comply with park rules.
  • No motorized vehicles.
  • Help keep skateparks clean! Use the trash containers and don’t litter.
  • Show respect for your fellow skaters and people who are watching. No threatening, abusive or offensive language.
  • Personal ramps, rails or other apparatus are prohibited.
  • If the skateparks are wet, icy or covered with snow, or if there is debris, litter or other obstacles on the surface, don’t skate.
  • HAVE FUN! Stay safe.

Flying a Drone in our Parks?
Here’s what you need to know:

These regulation are mandated by the FAA. We do not issue permits for flying drones.

  1. Register your dronemark it on the outside with the registration number(PDF), and carry proof of registration with you.
  2. Fly only for recreational purposes.
  3. Follow the safety guidelines of a community based organization.
  4. Fly your drone at or below 400 feet when in uncontrolled or “Class G” airspace.This is airspace where the FAA is not controlling manned air traffic. To determine what type of airspace you are in, refer to the mobile application that operates your drone (if so equipped) and/or use other drone-related mobile applications. Knowing your location and what airspace you’re in will also help you avoid interfering with other aircraft.
  5. Do NOT fly in controlled airspace (around and above many airports) unless:
    1. You receive an airspace authorization for operations in controlled airspace through LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), before you fly. Learn more about approved LAANC UAS Service Suppliers for recreational flyers.
    2. You are flying at a recreational flyer fixed site that has a written agreement with the FAA. The FAA has posted a list of approved sites (MS Excel) depicted as blue dots on the map. Each fixed site is limited to the altitude shown on this map, which varies by location.

NOTE: If your organization is interested in establishing a letter of agreement for a fixed flying site, please contact us at 9-AJT-UAS-Integration@faa.gov.

NOTE: All BPRW Parks are in controlled airspaces with the exception of Starr Farm Park.

  1. Keep your drone within your line of sight, or within the visual line-of-sight of a visual observer who is co-located and in direct communication with you.
  2. Do NOT fly in airspace where flight is prohibited. Airspace restrictions can be found on our interactive map, and temporary flight restrictions can be found here. Drone operators are responsible for ensuring they comply with all airspace restrictions.
  3. Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports.
  4. Never fly over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people.
  5. Never fly near emergencies such as any type of accident response, law enforcement activities, firefighting, or hurricane recovery efforts.
  6. Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Recreational flyers should know that if they intentionally violate any of these safety requirements, and/or operate in a careless and reckless manner, they could be liable for criminal and/or civil penalties.