Parks

Hours

• Except for Civic Commons, parks are open only from sunrise to dusk unless posted.
• Civic Commons closes at midnight, unless extended for a Fraze performance.

Restricted Activities

• Wading, swimming, ice skating, boating and golf are not permitted.
• Drugs are not permitted in the parks.
• Intoxicating beverages and beer are not permitted unless sold by permit.
• Any use of league athletic fields must be scheduled through the Parks Maintenance Center 296-2486.
• No admittance to Fraze Pavilion except during events.
• No in-line skating or in-line skates are allowed in Civic Commons.
• No skateboarding or skateboards allowed in Civic Commons.
• Bicycles must be walked within Civic Commons.

Dogs

• All dogs must be on a leash no more than 10 feet long and must be kept under control.
• Persons must clean up after their dog(s) and must carry a device for this purpose.

Removal and Damage of Property

• Removal, damage or defacing of buildings, structures, natural features, plants, flowers and lawn areas is prohibited.

Depositing of Materials

• Discarding materials in parks or park dumpsters is prohibited.
• Trash must be deposited in containers provided.
• No glass containers are allowed in parks.

Fires

• Fires must be built in grills only and must be attended at all times.

Camping

• No person may camp in the parks without written permission from the City.

Weapons

• No person may possess BB guns, archery equipment, fireworks, explosives, model rockets or sling shots.

Commercial Activities

• No person may conduct commercial activities, sales, charge admission, solicit funds or operate games of chance or erect signs in the park.

Traffic

• Motor vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds are not permitted off of designated roads and parking areas.
• No vehicle is to be left in the parks overnight.
• Horses, minibikes, dirt bikes and ATVs are not permitted in the parks.

Protection of Wildlife

• No person may hunt, trap, feed or endanger animals or birds in any way.

Conduct

• Persons may not act in a dangerous, disruptive, offensive or noisy manner affecting the safety, peace and good order of the parks and park visitors.
• No loitering in cars, parking lots or any other areas.
• Respect park shelter and tennis court reservations.

Pesticides

• Lawn pesticides may be applied by the Parks crews periodically.

Penalty

• Any person who violates these rules can be charged with a criminal offense and may be ordered from the park by police or park officials, denied future access and be prosecuted accordingly.
• All park, city, state and federal ordinances apply.

Download and print the park ordinances.

Honoring Exceptional Kettering Trees

The City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department is pleased to launch a new initiative called the Heritage Tree Program, recognizing exceptional trees that enhance the character and natural landscape of our community. This celebratory program allows us to appreciate the environmental and aesthetic gifts provided by the remarkable trees around us.

Heritage Tree Award Details:
• Up to 10 trees each year will be awarded throughout the community (residential, commercial, &/or public park).
• After submission, City of Kettering staff will confirm tree details & get owner permission for nomination.
• If awarded, applicants will be provided a plaque to display within the given property for a period of time, Labor Day – Halloween (Approximately 8 weeks).
• A program nomination form–can be submitted by owner or neighboring property owner.
• Applicants who are awarded will be recognized within city publications and social media posts.
• Awarded trees will be added to the City of Kettering Heritage Tree Program database to remain recognized for future years.

How we define a tree
A tree is defined as a perennial plant having a single woody main trunk usually characterized by the ability to grow to considerable size and the development of woody branches. *Shrubs, bushes, ornamentals and fruit trees are NOT included.