POLICY STATEMENT 87

HEMLOCK BLUFFS NATURE PRESERVE AND STEVENS NATURE CENTER

Prepared by: Samuel D. Bishop

Supersedes: 5/09/1996

Adopted by Council: 5/26/2005

Effective: 5/26/2005

Purpose

To adopt an official policy for the operation of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and Stevens Nature Center, a public recreation/environmental education facility administered by the Town of Cary designed to protect the unique plant community and serve the environmental education needs of Cary residents.

Coverage

This policy, upon adoption by the Town Council, shall be applicable to the operation and use of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and Stevens Nature Center until such time that the policy statement is altered, modified or rescinded by the Town Council.

Policy

The Town Council of the Town of Cary hereby establishes the following policy:

1.         Facility:  The facility consists of the following components:

a.         Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve - a unique plant community of Canadian hemlocks and other vegetation unusual to the area.  A system of trails and boardwalks located throughout the facility allow public visitation and environmental education.

b.         Stevens Nature Center

                        (1)       Exhibit Hall

                        (2)       Classroom

                        (3)       Outdoor Education Pavilion

2.         Facility Usage/Stevens Nature Center:  The following priority shall be established for scheduling this facility:

a.         Town sponsored programs and activities

b.         Programs and activities co-sponsored by the Town and other approved sponsors

3.         General Hours of Operation:  The Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and Stevens Nature Center shall be available for use during times as established by the Cary Town Council.  The Department Director or his/her designee shall reserve the right to alter the hours of operation due to weather and the health and safety of the public or employees.

4.         General Rules for Use of the Facility: 

a.         An employee of the Department shall be on duty in the Stevens Nature Center during all hours of operation and whenever the center is open to the public.

b.         The following shall be prohibited within or on the premises of the facility:

(1)       Smoking (due to the delicate balance of nature and the damage a fire might cause, all smoking, open fires, or combustible materials are prohibited in all areas of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve).

(2)       Possession and consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs.

(3)       Weapons of all kinds except law enforcement officers in the execution of their duties and those used in environmental education as approved by the Department Director or his/her designee.

(4)       Animals of any kind except those serving the needs of the handicapped and those used in environmental education.  All domesticated pets must be kept upon a leash not to exceed six feet in length.

(5)       The use of profanity or profane gestures.

(6)       Motor vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, and rollerblades on the trails and boardwalks.

(7)       Any type of behavior that is detrimental to the normal operation of the facility or the safety of the public or employees.

c.         Food and beverages are permitted only in designated areas.

d.         Persons/groups using the facility shall be responsible for the breakage, loss, or damage to the facility and equipment and shall bear the full replacement cost for such breakage, loss, or damage.

e.         Persons/groups using the facility shall be responsible for any personal items brought into or upon the premises of the facility and shall remove same at the end of each scheduled use time and shall return any Town-owned equipment to its designated place within the facility as directed by the facility supervisor.

f.          Any person/group violating any of the above general rules is subject to immediate suspension from the facility and prosecution in the event of a law enforcement violation as provided in the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Cary.

g.         The facility shall be open only to persons who are upon the premise for specific programs, activities, functions or other official Town business.

5.         Fees for use of the facility shall be those as adopted by the Town Council in the Annual Budget of the Town of Cary.