Athletic Field Use Policy

Section 1 - Introduction

1. The Parks and Recreation Department of Springfield Township has established the following policies and procedures to ensure the safe and efficient use and the equitable availability of the athletic fields managed by the department.
   
2. Springfield Township Parks and Recreation reserves the right to modify these policies and procedures and to develop and enforce such additional rules and regulations as may be required for the protection of the parks, the individual athletic fields at the parks, the users and the patrons of the parks.
   
3. Although reserved use of the athletic fields is permitted by this policy and encouraged by Springfield Township Parks and Recreation, the Parks Department shall allow any unreserved athletic fields or portion of an athletic field to be made available for open, unstructured, public recreation on a first come/first served basis.
   
4. The dedicated use of any athletic field or area shall be considered priority use for that athletic field or area unless written permission for an alternate use has been obtained from the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department or his/her designee.

Section 2 - Priority Users

Four priority categories of facility users are hereby created (Category 1 being the highest priority) and shall be considered in the allocation of athletic fields and scheduled time at all parks. Springfield Township Parks and Recreation reserves the right to set priorities based upon, but not limited to, the following: the number of participants, the residency of participants and the overall impact of the group or organization upon the established recreational needs of Springfield Township residents.

1. Category 1 - Springfield Township Parks and Recreation
   “Springfield Township Parks and Recreation” shall include all of the following:
   1. Activities of Springfield Township Parks and Recreation.
   2. Events sponsored, co-sponsored or partnered with Springfield Township Parks and Recreation.
2. Category 2 - Local Recreation Providers
   “ A Local Recreation Provider” is defined as a non-profit or not-for-profit group organized for the primary purpose of providing and delivering recreational opportunities to the residents of Springfield Township regardless or whether or not a fee for use is charged. Such groups could include but are not limited to, teams from Davisburg Youth Athletic Association, Davisburg’s branch of American Youth Soccer Organization, etc. A team roster, including address and phone numbers, is required for groups in this category and shall be filed with the Parks and Recreation Department.
3. Category 3 – Local Civic, Business, Faith Based and/or Educational Groups
   “Local Civic, Business, Faith Based and/or Educational Group” shall include, but is not limited to, such organizations as the Rotary Club and affiliates of the Local Community School District, plus private and parochial schools located within Springfield Township boundaries. A team roster, including address and phone numbers, is required for groups in this category and shall be filed with the Parks and Recreation Department.
4. Category 4 - Other Contracted Organizations, Individuals or Groups

Any organization, club, individual, business, or group who does not fall within the definitions of Category 1, 2 or 3, as defined above, shall be considered a Category 4 user under this Policy.

Section 3 - Athletic Field Reservations

1. An athletic field shall be considered “reserved” upon the payment of the prescribed fee and the issuance of a Park Facilities Permit, provided by Springfield Township Parks and Recreation. The Park Facilities Permit shall include ALL of the following:
   1. The name of the organization reserving the athletic field.
   2. The name, address and phone number of the individual making the application and contact person for the permit.
   3. The specific athletic field being reserved.
   4. The date of issuance.
   5. The date, time and duration of the permit.
   6. The specific fee or fees charged.
   7. All conditions assigned to the permit over and above the requirements of this Policy or the Township’s Ordinance.
   8. The signature of the Parks and Recreation Director of Springfield Township or in the absence of such person, his/her designee.
   9. A signature of the permit applicant agreeing that the conditions, restrictions and waivers have been met or will be met in connection with the event for which the permit has been issued.
2. Rental requests/reservations will be accepted beginning the first business day of each calendar year.
3. Full payment of rental fees is due at the time of the reservation.
4. Cancellations by the applicant/permit holder:
   1. All cancellations are subject to a $ 5.00 non-refundable fee and must be made in writing.
   2. For any cancellations less than ten (10) business days prior to the event or activity, the entire fee is forfeited.
5. In the event of a cancellation of an event by the Parks and Recreation Director or his/her designee due to weather conditions which make the event/activity impossible, or due to any Act of God beyond the control of the applicant/permit holder, 1) a credit may be given to the applicant/ permit holder; 2) a refund may be requested from the Parks and Recreation Director or his/her designee; or 3) the event may be rescheduled at the earliest available date with no additional fees incurred.

Section 4 - Sales on Park Property

Springfield Township Parks and Recreation reserves to itself complete and exclusive rights to regulate the sale of all good and services sold or conducted on park property. All commerce is expressly prohibited without the approval of the Park Commission. Food concessions must be approved by the Park Commission and follow all Oakland County Health Department requirements.

Section 5 – Waivers, Etc.

By recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Director, the Springfield Township Park Commission reserves the right to waive policies in whole or in part; to waive restrictions and conditions; to impose restrictions and conditions; to require special security; to waive fees in whole or in part; to impose additional insurance requirements; to require municipal inspections and approvals; and to take such steps as may be necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of park users and the residents of Springfield Township.

Section 6 – Fees and Charges

1. The most recent schedule of fees and charges for the use of athletic fields, as approved by resolution of the Springfield Township Parks Commission shall be appended to and made a part of this section.
2. Any Tournament, Play-Off Series, Special Event or Additional Parking Facilities shall be subject to approval of the Springfield Township Park Commission.
3. In any negotiated fee or agreement under Section 6 of this Policy, the actual fee for rental/use of a specific facility shall not exceed the maximum fee approved by the Springfield Township Park Commission, except that such negotiations may include consideration of in-kind services, additional maintenance or other contributions to the Parks and Recreation. In-kind services, additional maintenance or any other contribution must be pre-approved, prior to use, by the Parks and Recreation Director of Springfield Township or his/her designee.

Section 7 - Alcohol/Tobacco in the Park

The sale, use and possession of any controlled substances is expressly prohibited, including but is not limited to, alcoholic beverages, beer, wine, wine coolers and other spirits in all parks of Springfield Township unless stated by the Springfield Township Park Commission. Smoking is prohibited on or within fifty (50) feet of any athletic field, play structure or recreation activity of Springfield Township Parks and Recreation.

Section 8 – Athletic Field Use Rules

- Please leave the park clean - dispose of all waste in designated receptacles -

1. Reservation is for the designated athletic field only. All other park attractions and facilities are open to the public.
2. In the event the organization is an athletic league, the organization shall provide Springfield Township Parks and Recreation with a complete schedule of all games and practices to be played at the Parks and Recreation facilities and proof of liability insurance in the amount of $100,000.00.
3. In the event a Springfield Township Parks and Recreation program or function conflicts with an organization’s use of the athletic field identified in this agreement, the Parks and Recreation’s program or function shall have priority and the conflict will be resolved by the organization’s rescheduling its use of the athletic field.
4. Springfield Township Parks and Recreation shall have the absolute right and discretion to cancel this agreement and any permission granted to the organization to use the park facilities in the event the organization fails to fully satisfy the rules set forth in this agreement, provided Parks and Recreation has given written notification to the organization of the specific rule infraction(s) and a reasonable time to correct any infraction(s) prior to cancellation.
5. Organizations making the reservation shall be responsible for the supervision of parking and the supervision and control of spectators.
6. Organizations and spectators shall follow all Park Use Rules section.

Top