Visitors to Russom Park may soon have a clearer idea of the rules of the game when it comes to enjoying the park’s facilities.

The Dowagiac City Council approved a set of rules and regulations for the park during its regular meeting on Monday, as
recommended by the members of the park’s committee. The new guidelines are consistent with existing ordinances in the city and Silver Creek Township, and are designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people using the trails and athletic fields within the grounds.

“The park committee has been looking for the last several months for rules at the park as it become more highly used,” said City Manager Kevin Anderson. “The model for these types of regulations are ones that are used by other city parks as well as county parks. We are also looking at the unique uses here.”

The proposed rules are as follows:

Hours

• Dawn to dusk daily

Parking

• Parking is limited to an established parking area only.

• Vehicles may not be parked overnight.

• Vehicles in violation of this regulation will be towed.

• No Semi parking.

General

• No Motorized vehicles on pathways.

• Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Please keep the park clean and friendly and encourage all others to
do the same.

• Please place trash in trash receptacles only. If trash receptacles are not provided, take your refuse with you.

• No solicitation, vending, advertising or sign posting is allowed in the parks, except by permission of the Russom Park Committee.

The following are also prohibited at the park:

• Alcohol

• Smoking

• Drugs

• Profanity

• Pets

• Graffiti

• ATVs

• Snowmobiles

• Loud Music

• Fighting

• Fireworks

• Hitting of golf balls

As per the city’s partnership with Silver Creek Township, these proposed changes must also be approved by the township’s leadership before they are formerly enacted. Once that is completed, the rules will be posted on a sign within the park limits, Anderson said.

Before voting on the resolution, Councilmember Jim Dodd asked the city manager how the city plans on enforcing any new regulations, especially over the banning of pets.

“We’ll need to post them first. That will take care of some of the questions,” Anderson responded. “Then it will fall between us and county police to do a little legwork out there.”

City Council also passed a second resolution related to the operation of Russom Park Monday, relating to the management of the storage unit facility the city purchased last month from Chemical Bank adjacent to the park. The council selected Parker Property Management to handle the day-to-day operations of the site, receiving 10 percent of rental costs to cover management fees.

“Parker Management manages a lot of property around the city, and I think they have the potential to do a good job for us there,” Anderson said.

Other resolutions passed by the council on Monday included:

• A resolution approving of the installation of a sprinkler system at the Dowagiac District Library building.

• A resolution authorizing a fire services agreement with Wayne Township, that would require both city and township fire departments to be dispatched to township fires at properties receiving city water service.

• A resolution approving a new contract with Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services for $1,446.50.

• A resolution authorizing a contract with Mitt Drew of Kotz, Sangster, Wysocki, P.C. to serve as City Attorney.

• A resolution to hold a public hearing on July 28 to consider whether or not to consider a garage located at 304 Pennsylvania a public nuisance.

• A resolution to spend $1,000,709 to pay for the city’s outstanding payroll and bills.