§ 739-5. Prohibited Uses of the Central Riverfront.

It shall be unlawful for any person, group of persons or organization, except pursuant to a valid permit issued in accordance with Section 739-3 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code to endanger, obstruct, or unreasonably interfere with the use of the central riverfront or any facility or appurtenance thereof, or access to, from or through any part of the area, including but not limited to stairways, passageways, overhead walkways, elevators, exits and entrances.

In furtherance of the proscription of this paragraph, the following rules and regulations are hereby adopted:

(1)

No person may make use of central riverfront property at any time for activities which are specifically prohibited by posted signs or when such use is likely to cause bodily harm to such person or others, or cause damage to property.

(2)

No person may climb onto any building, baseball backstop, football goal post, fence or any other structure located on central riverfront property except on play equipment erected for this purpose.

(3)

No person shall throw or bat a hardball or softball, or drive, putt or play with a golf ball, except at such places as may be set aside therefor. The operating agency retains the right to prohibit softball, horseshoes, football, soccer and similar activities where such activity presents a clear and present danger to others.

(4)

Any section or part of any of the central riverfront may be declared closed to the public at any time, and for certain uses, as the city or its agents shall find necessary.

(5)

All persons who have a valid permit for the use of the central riverfront property shall have prior right for such use, except that persons participating in activities sponsored by any city board or department shall have first option for use.

(6)

No person shall sell or expose or offer anything for sale on the central riverfront except the appropriate operating agency's duly authorized concessionaire or concessionaires of any person, group of persons or organization using the central riverfront pursuant to a valid permit issued in accordance with Section 739-3 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code and then only during the hours designated in such permit and when such concessionaire has all the required permits to engage in such sales.

(7)

Except by written permission of the appropriate operating agency, no person shall lead, ride or otherwise cause or permit any horse, pony, mule, burro, or any other animal or reptile to enter onto central riverfront property, except that persons may ride or lead any such animal on paths or trails set aside by the city or its agents for such purposes.

(8)

No person shall take or permit a dog on or within any central riverfront property where a sign is posted prohibiting dogs. On central riverfront property where no such signs are posted, no person shall take or permit a dog within such central riverfront property unless the dog is held by leash, chain or cord.

(9)

No person shall carry or discharge slings, bows, or any other device by which persons, animals, or birds may be injured or frightened, or throw stones or other missiles within central riverfront property, except under the supervision of any employee of the city or its agents or with the written permission of the operating agency. No person shall discharge firearms within central riverfront property, except under the supervision of any employee of the city or its agents or with the written permission of the operating agency. The prohibitions in this section do not apply to the possession, transporting, or carrying of firearms as defined by Section 708-1-B of the Cincinnati Municipal Code, components of firearms, or firearm ammunition as defined and regulated by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2923, Conspiracy, Attempt, and Complicity; Weapons Control and Corrupt Activity.

(10)

No person may have in possession or consume any kind of beer, wine or intoxicating liquor on or within central riverfront property without the written permission of the appropriate operating agency, except that persons may make use of any beverage sold on central riverfront property by an employee of the city or its agents or by any other properly authorized concessionaire.

(11)

No person may ride a bicycle or other such conveyance on central riverfront property in any manner that will endanger the safety of others, create confusion or interfere with the regular activities on this area or damage the property.

(12)

No person shall operate, fly, launch, drive or use any motor-propelled vehicle or flying apparatus or other vehicle (except motor vehicles may be driven on roadways designed for that purpose and boats may be launched at areas so designated, subject to any separate regulation thereof) on the central riverfront including but not limited to airplanes, balloons, gliders, hang gliders, boats, airplanes, snowmobiles, go-carts, rockets, powered model planes, motorbikes, motorcycles or automobiles except with the written permission of the appropriate operating agency and except within such areas as designated by the appropriate operating agency and except in compliance with any reasonable safety regulation set by the appropriate operating agency and made a condition of any consent. No one shall park any vehicle on central riverfront property except in areas provided for this purpose, and then only in designated lanes, except with the written permission of the appropriate operating agency. City employees in the course of carrying out their duties may operate motor-powered vehicles on central riverfront property.

(13)

No person shall move or alter the arrangement of any chain, cable, post or barrier of any kind when placed on central riverfront property for the purpose of regulating the use of such property.

(14)

No person, except with the written permission of the appropriate operating agency, shall take, carry away, remove, dig, cut, disturb, molest, destroy, mar or damage any solid or mineral substance or any form of vegetation, whether living or dead, on the central riverfront. Nor shall any person, except with written permission of the appropriate operating agency, take, carry away, remove, disassemble, destroy, mar, deface, mark or damage or attach anything to any central riverfront equipment, building or structure on the central riverfront.

(15)

No person, except with the written permission of the appropriate operating agency, shall display or distribute any leaflet, banner, flag, target, sign or device for commercial or fund-raising purposes, or make any speech or harangue on central riverfront property or on any sidewalk bounding such property in such a manner as to materially interfere with the rights of others to enjoy the central riverfront or that could result in danger or injury to persons or property.

(16)

No person shall enter any of the fountain areas in violation of posted signs.

(17)

No person shall dive or jump from the Serpentine Wall into the river.

(18)

No person shall start or have any fires on central riverfront property except in containers provided for such purpose, or except with written permission of the operating agency.

Any violation of this section shall be deemed to be a minor misdemeanor for the first offense, and for a second or subsequent offense, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(C.M.C. 739-5; ordained by Ord. No. 254-1978, eff. June 28, 1978; Emer. Ord. No. 028-2014, § 8, eff. March 5, 2014)