Policies and Procedures

Decisions regarding morning programs will be made by 8 am and announced as quickly as possible thereafter. Decisions on the cancellation of evening activities due to inclement weather will be made by 3:30 pm daily. 

Many programs and leagues have SMS text sign-ups available. Please contact JC Parks staff for details. 

No news means play ball!  If you do not hear from JC Parks staff, your coach, or TeamSideline — all is well, and we are playing ball as scheduled. 

We do not cancel based on a forecast.  Weather forecasts and technology are great tools, but mother nature is still very unpredictable so we almost always wait until something actually happens before we make the call on cancellations.

We usually decide at about 3:00 PM.  We know many teams travel an hour or more and want to know ASAP, but we try to wait until at least 3:00 PM to make sure we get it right. 

Please do not contact us regarding cancellations. Flooding JC Program Managers or front desk staff with phone calls and emails slows down the notification process. Thanks for your cooperation & understanding.

Check our cancellations website first.  The first update will be posted at jcparks.com/cancellations.  If it is a late-arriving rain (after 3:00 PM) this may be the only method available to notify the public.

Check your Game Schedules:  After updating the cancellation page, game schedules are modified at teamsideline.com/jeffersoncity.  This will draw a line through the games and send an automatic email to you from TeamSideline.

Check your email/text. After updating our cancellations page, and team schedules via TeamSidelineeamSideline, JC Parks and Recreation staff send personal emails/texts to relevant parties. Depending on timing, this is not always possible and instructions are given to coaches and parents listed in team rosters. Please sign up for text alerts from JC Parks via TeamSideline to ensure you receive notifications promptly.

Sometimes it depends on the field.  Please check notifications carefully.  Play may be possible on specific fields and not others due to drainage or the location of the rain.

Lightning Policy:  Health and safety are our top priority.  We would rather be safe than sorry.  So If games have already started and the Facility Supervisors or Umpires see lightning nearby, they will delay the game for at least 20 minutes.  Play either resumes when it looks safe, or is canceled. During a lightning delay, players and spectators may be asked to wait in their vehicles.

Weather Delays:  Similar to lightning delays, weather delays may occur if rain passes through quickly and the fields will still be playable later in the evenings.

Check League Rules on partial games. Each league and division has rules to tell you if partial games will be made up.  For example, in competitive and rec baseball, games are considered official if you have played 2.5 innings (if the home team leads) or 1 hour.  If the game gets rained out after that point, it is considered official and will not be rescheduled.

Rescheduled Games.  Rescheduled game times may be included in the cancellation notice if the cancellation is made early enough in the day. If not, JC Parks and Recreation staff will communicate reschedules promptly.

Head Coaches:  Even though all of these communications are sent, some parents are still not notified, so please make sure your team is informed via your team’s preferred method of communication.

Umpires:  Messages will be posted for umpires regarding cancellations via GroupMe and TeamSideline (if time allows).

Facility Supervisors:  JC Parks and Recreation staff will send personal texts to facility supervisors regarding cancellations.  If time allows, they will also receive an email and text (if enabled) from TeamSideline.

In any Parks and Recreation program, a participant who is bleeding or who has blood on his/her clothing shall be prohibited from participating further in the activity until appropriate treatment has been administered. Appropriate treatment may include bandaging as necessary to prevent recurrence.

This policy has been implemented to protect the participants, coaches, staff, and their families from diseases transported through the accidental contact of tainted blood. If medical care is needed, the participant must leave the activity until the problem situation has been resolved. A 70% isopropyl alcohol solution must be used to disinfect the skin and clothing. All infected areas must be thoroughly cleaned before this individual is allowed to continue participating in the activity. This may require that the player remove affected clothing and replace it in order to be able to continue participating.

All participants should bring an extra shirt, pair of pants/shorts, and socks to each activity to change into in the event a blood incident should occur.

Most Parks and Recreation crews and/or vehicles are equipped with radios or cell phones which can serve as an emergency reporting station for people needing help.

Our personnel can notify local emergency services of any requests for assistance.

General park shelter rental policy (additional policies may apply to each individual facility):

1. HOURS – The hours of the renter’s reservation use are stipulated on the agreement. The user must adhere to the hours stated on the agreement, including the time necessary for setup and cleanup.

2. FACILITY RENTAL HOURS – City parks hours of operation are 5am-11pm. Reservation time INCLUDING SETUP AND CLEANUP must fall within park hours of operation. Renters requesting additional hours must obtain approval from the Director of Parks and Recreation, and additional charges will apply.

3. CLEANUP – Please be considerate of other scheduled groups before and after your rental. Rental schedules are set to allow park crews adequate time to inspect facilities between reservations. Renters need to leave the facility in the same or better condition as it appears upon arrival. All trash must be placed in provided receptacles, as well as return all provided tables and chairs to their original locations.

4. NOISE – Use of amplified sound equipment must receive prior approval from the Director of Parks and Recreation. Amplified music permitted at any park location is PROHIBITED after 10pm.

5. ALCOHOL – Alcoholic beverages are permitted in the parks except where specifically prohibited (i.e., youth programs). Groups desiring to sell alcoholic beverages MUST acquire appropriate local and state liquor licenses as required by law.

6. DEPOSIT – All facilities require a $50 deposit in addition to rental charges. The deposit is refunded after reservation providing no damage has been assessed and that facility key (if applicable) has been returned the next business day following the reservation.

7. REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS

1. Deposit refunds are processed Monday following the previous week’s reservations. Deposits initially paid by card will be refunded to the same card if circumstances allow. Deposits initially paid by cash or check will be refunded by mailing a check to the name and address as shown on the receipt. Please allow 1-2 weeks for mailed refunds. 
2. If a cancellation is made 10 days or more in advance of the reservation date, all fees except the $10 nonrefundable holding fee will be refunded.
3. If a cancellation is made less than 10 days before reservation date, but at least 1 business day prior to reservation date, a refund of the full damage deposit and HALF of the rental fees may be given. 
4. No refunds will be granted on or after the date of reservation. All rental facilities are covered and therefore usable during most weather conditions. A full refund will be given only when a park is closed by Parks staff due to inclement weather. 

8. CONFLICTS AND EXCLUSIONS

1. City of Jefferson Parks, Recreation and Forestry reserve the right to refuse or cancel any rental request should the event present a conflict with the mission of the organization. 
2. City of Jefferson Parks, Recreation and Forestry reserve the right to revoke a rental request if it is determined the rental has potential to be detrimental to the well-being of the facility, staff, or community.

The Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission respectfully requests and encourages all patrons attending or participating in any Parks and Recreation meeting, special event, facility or program remain as fragrance free as possible by not wearing perfume, after shave, scented lotions, fragranced hair products and/or other similar products.   Fragranced products can cause persons with some chronic illnesses to suffer additional symptoms.

Jefferson City Parks and Recreation uses the following heat index policy for all of our outdoor practices/games. This policy is separate from any other weather (rain, lightning, etc.) that may also occur. Heat index for each game or practice will be determined 1 hour before the scheduled start time.

Parents/guardians are expected to know their child better than the coach.  Parents/guardians are responsible for communicating with the coach about their child’s susceptibility to heat related illness, and to take other precautions that the parents/guardians believe are appropriate if they believe that weather or heat conditions place their child at risk of heat related illness or other danger, including withholding their child from participation.

The Jefferson City Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry encourages people of all abilities to participate in the programs and at the facilities we offer. If a program modification will make an activity accessible for you, our staff will be happy to speak with you individually, make the necessary accommodations, and be sure that the on-site staff is familiar with the situation. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we can help you enjoy your leisure experience.

To provide a quality leisure experience for everyone, we strive to make all programs as inclusive and accessible as possible. However, we may not be able to provide all requested accommodations for all programs.

The Jefferson City Department of Parks and Recreation and/or the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission does not provide insurance coverage for injuries suffered while participating in programs or using facilities. Any costs related to such injuries should be presented to your personal medical insurance carrier.

Many parks and recreation programs have enrollment limits and registration deadlines. To ensure a spot in your favorite activity, please be sure to register before the registration deadline. Registering early will allow for proper staffing levels and adequate equipment and program supplies for all participants and will save you money. If space is still available in a program after the registration deadline, the program fees will be higher.

Frequently, Parks and Recreation staff may videotape or photograph participants enrolled in programs, classes, events, or enjoying park facilities. These photographs are for Parks and Recreation publications, flyers, brochures, program guides, TV programs, or advertisements. All photos and videos are for Parks and Recreation use and become the sole property of the Department.

Community Parks are open year around from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. Restroom facilities within the parks are available for use from April through October. Neighborhood Parks are also open year-round from 5:00 a.m. until dark.

Vandalism, littering, and improper use of the parks and facilities results in thousands of dollars of needless expenses each year. Park users – we need your help! Please report any suspicious persons, activities, vandalism, misuse, or violation of park rules to the police or sheriff’s department by calling 911. If you are not comfortable calling 911, call Crimestoppers ((573) 659-8477/(573) 659-TIPS). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and may receive a reward for information which leads to solving a crime, including park vandalism. By working together, we can stretch park dollars and help assure safe, attractive parks for ourselves and our children.

Unless specifically posted, dogs, cats, and other pets are permitted in City parks* if they are under the control of their owner, on a leash no longer than 15 feet, and their excrement is immediately removed and properly disposed.

*Pets are not permitted at Parks and Recreation sports events or tournaments to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.

Goose droppings have been a major problem in our park system for a long time. Obviously feeding them only exacerbates the problem, since it encourages them to stay. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you do not feed the geese inside the parks. The Parks and Recreation Department has tried many other means to alleviate the goose problem, but to no avail. Hopefully this will curtail the problem and lead to cleaner and nicer parks for you and your family.

JC Parks waterways (including Binder Lake, McKay Lake, and Hough Park Lake) are not monitored for recreational use. Any on-ice activity is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, sledding, skiing, fishing, and skating.

City of Jefferson, Code Section 18-72, Trespass

Program cancellations may be made Mon – Fri, 8am-5pm, by calling (573) 634-6482 or in person at 1299 Lafayette Street.

The Parks and Recreation Commission has adopted the following refund policy regarding programs and facilities.

Programs

1. If a cancellation is made prior to the registration deadline, a refund will be given, less a processing fee: $10 for program fees up to $99; $20 for program fees $100 & over.
2. If a cancellation is made after the registration deadline, a credit for future programs/reservations will be given for 1/2 of the fee paid. Once a program starts no refund/credit will be given unless a medical statement substantiates the injury or illness.
3. Fees paid for team registrations are not refundable once a team registration has been accepted and recorded except as in #6 below.
4. No credits, refunds, or make-up classes will be issued for programs missed due to personal reasons.
5. A refund or credit will be granted when medical illnesses/ injuries are substantiated by a medical note.
6. Full refunds are made if a program is canceled by JC Parks.

Camps

1. A $25 processing fee will be charged per week, per child for every refund issued.
2. All camp refunds must be requested two weeks prior to the first day of the program. 
3. If a cancellation is made after the registration deadline, a refund will be given for 1/2 of the fee paid.
4. Once a program starts, no refund or credit will be given unless a medical note substantiates an injury/illness.
5. Transfers need to be approved by the Program Manager. Please send requests directly to her at Atoebben@jeffersoncitymo.gov

Facilities/Hayrides

1. Fees paid for admission to park facilities are not refundable.
2. The holding fee required to reserve park facilities/shelters is not refundable under any circumstance except as in #5 below.
3. If a cancellation occurs ten or more business days prior to the scheduled reservation, the facility/hayride rental fee and deposit is refundable, less a $10 processing fee.
4. If a cancellation occurs less than ten business days prior to the reservation, 1/2 of the rental fee and the entire damage deposit will be refunded.
5. Full refunds are made if a rental is canceled by JC Parks.

Pools

1. Weather cancellations are at the discretion of JC Parks Aquatics staff.
2. Reservation fees for pools are not refundable under any circumstance except as in #4 below.
3. Transfer of rental date must be requested two weeks prior to reservation date.
4. Full refunds are made if a rental is canceled by JC Parks.
5. No refunds will be issued for season pool passes.

Amusement Park Tickets
All amusement park ticket sales are final. Refunds are not issued for amusement park tickets.

Our Program Managers will do everything possible to accommodate all special requests when creating the game schedules for JC Parks leagues.  Special requests need to be submitted before game schedules are posted.  Once the schedule is out it is very difficult and disruptive to change.  There are many logistics and people involved.  In addition, our available court/field space and time is often very limited with other leagues and activities also taking place.

If a team is not able to play with the minimum number of required players, they’ll need to forfeit that game with the understanding that we will not make it up or provide a prorated refund.  Instead, we’ll offer that game/time slot as an extra, free game to the other teams in the division.  This allows the opponent to still play as planned and not lose out on a game.  This also allows the league to keep a continuous schedule for the officials and staff working that day and provide the least disruptive possible solution.

Any park user, program participant, or spectator who strikes, attempts to strike, verbally threatens to strike, or attempts to intimidate a Parks and Recreation employee or cause such employee or another park patron to be apprehensive about his/her personal safety; or who persists in the use of vulgar and inappropriate language in addressing a Parks and Recreation employee or at a Parks and Recreation program or facility; or who fails to heed the request of an on-site Parks and Recreation supervisor to vacate park property is subject to prosecution for violation of the City of Jefferson trespassing ordinance and suspension from attendance at Parks and Recreation programs or facilities for a period to be determined by the Director of Parks and Recreation.