Page 1 of 3

Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2017 1:43 pm
by swatpup102
There is a park in the Cincinnati Suburb of Amberley Village called Amberley Green. It is a former private golf course that was purchased by the Village to use as a public park for the former cart paths to be walking paths. There is a huge sign placed at the start of the trails that gives the park name and rules, and below that sign is the large no firearm sign. It's my understanding that any public parks in Ohio cannot be posted as CPZ's. I e-mailed the city government office to verify that the park was indeed open to everyone as a public village owned park, and it was confirmed.

"Amberley Green, which is owned by Amberley Village, is a park all are welcome to use. Simply stop in to the Amberley Village Police/Fire Department at 7149 Ridge Road to pick up a pass." (pass is for a parking pass to use in the former course parking lot as part of their crime prevention steps.

The text of the sign is as follows, with a standard no gun image used:
"It is illegal to carry a firearm, deadly weapon, or dangerous ordnance anywhere on the premises unless authorized by law."

I've sent a message to their community Ask Us contact asking about the sign and their guidance on it, I'll post any response I get.

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2017 7:43 pm
by Brian D.
So far I can't find a listing for their law director. Being a village rather than city, they may not have someone doing that as a permanent position, village manager just hires various attorneys as needed.

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:18 am
by swatpup102
I got a call back this morning from a representative of their police department. He told me they have had discussions on that sign when they first purchased the park land, and decided to post it because they have people that will bring rifles and shotguns on to park land and shoot at deer. He said there was no problem with carrying a firearm in the park for anything legal, including CCW or open carry, but they want to keep the sign there to deter those who think they are allowed to hunt on the property.

I can understand that I suppose, even though I still feel that particular sign sends the wrong message (instead of a no hunting sign for example,) but I'm glad they cleared it up and accept the explanation with no issue.

A mod can delete this one if they choose.

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:56 am
by WY_Not
I'd call BS on their excuse. If they wanted no hunting then that is what should be on the sign.

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 10:40 am
by JustaShooter
WY_Not wrote:I'd call BS on their excuse. If they wanted no hunting then that is what should be on the sign.
Exactly this. The sign is in violation of Ohio law and needs to be changed. Specify no hunting, no discharge of firearms, etc., OK, but the language making simple possession of a firearm illegal must be removed.

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:36 am
by BB62
JustaShooter wrote:
WY_Not wrote:I'd call BS on their excuse. If they wanted no hunting then that is what should be on the sign.
Exactly this. The sign is in violation of Ohio law and needs to be changed. Specify no hunting, no discharge of firearms, etc., OK, but the language making simple possession of a firearm illegal must be removed.
Agreed. Except for the fact that apparently only village residents can park at this "public" park, I'd put together a group of OCers and visit! :wink:

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 12:48 pm
by Brian D.
And, there's not much other parking available on nearby side streets. Closest public lot would be at the Amberley Village police/fire/admin building, I think. They'd love to help us with that, I'm sure. :roll: Would probably have to meet at (kinda) nearby French Park and walk over. Trouble with that plan is lack of sidewalks along Section and Ridge Roads. Does Über have buses?

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 4:49 pm
by docachna
Haven't had the time to research it, but I have HUGE doubts that a municipality can restrict parking on public property to only residents of the municipality. It just sounds so ridiculous as to be impossible. The restriction of parking at the park, is essentially restricting the use of the park, in both cases, to residents only. I just don't see it. Tons of First Amendment problems with restricting the park use, and I can't even count how many problems with restricting use of the public parking lot.

Anybody have an idea ? or want to spend the weekend doing legal research ?

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:46 pm
by MyWifeSaidYes
docachna wrote:...Tons of First Amendment problems with restricting the park use, and I can't even count how many problems with restricting use of the public parking lot...
So, what about a police department parking lot that has spaces reserved for police cars only?

Or the 'Police vehicles only' parking spaces on High Street, a very public road, just south of the Franklin County Courthouse in Columbus?

I am intrigued.

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:52 pm
by cashman966
docachna wrote:Haven't had the time to research it, but I have HUGE doubts that a municipality can restrict parking on public property to only residents of the municipality. It just sounds so ridiculous as to be impossible. The restriction of parking at the park, is essentially restricting the use of the park, in both cases, to residents only. I just don't see it. Tons of First Amendment problems with restricting the park use, and I can't even count how many problems with restricting use of the public parking lot.

Anybody have an idea ? or want to spend the weekend doing legal research ?
Municipalities restrict parking everyday, in public lots and public streets. The website says a day pass for parking is available, I assume that would be the route for a non resident or a resident who doesn't want an "I live here" sticker on their car.

Still no excuse for the illegal posting.

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 12:59 am
by BB62
cashman966 wrote:
docachna wrote:Haven't had the time to research it, but I have HUGE doubts that a municipality can restrict parking on public property to only residents of the municipality. It just sounds so ridiculous as to be impossible. The restriction of parking at the park, is essentially restricting the use of the park, in both cases, to residents only. I just don't see it. Tons of First Amendment problems with restricting the park use, and I can't even count how many problems with restricting use of the public parking lot.

Anybody have an idea ? or want to spend the weekend doing legal research ?
Municipalities restrict parking everyday, in public lots and public streets. The website says a day pass for parking is available, I assume that would be the route for a non resident or a resident who doesn't want an "I live here" sticker on their car.

Still no excuse for the illegal posting.
As is definitely the case with the bumper identification sticker, I suspect issuance of a the day pass is restricted to residents only also.

Enterprising individuals can read this page and/or contact the powers-that-be: http://www.amberleyvillage.org/recreation.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

From the link: "An Amberley Village identification sticker on your car's bumper gives you access to this beautiful property. Cars without a sticker will be subject to ticketing or towing, and no vehicles will be allowed to park overnight. Those who prefer not to affix the Village sticker to their car may obtain a parking day-pass for Amberley Green at the police window in Village Hall."

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:38 pm
by fisher
The following appears to be a blog from the Vice Mayor of Amberly Village which mentions the parking options for nonresidents who wish to visit the park. It was written in 2012.

http://lonewolfinthevillage.blogspot.co ... green.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On a side note, Hamilton County offers annual and day vehicle passes for a number of their parks. The rates for non-residents are slightly higher.

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 7:34 am
by Brian D.
I came across that same blog a while back. She is a clueless grasseater. Mindset being "If only residents of Amberley can come here, it will be safe to walk around the woods with my head up my..."

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 7:42 am
by JediSkipdogg
Brian D. wrote:I came across that same blog a while back. She is a clueless grasseater. Mindset being "If only residents of Amberley can come here, it will be safe to walk around the woods with my head up my..."
Gotta remember the mindset of a lot of these smaller communities. I think many wouldn't mind a wall up around their city and them be a gated village for residents only. Heck, Amberley Village PD will respond to your house while you are on vacation with a key you leave at the PD and let your landscaper in your house to use your bathroom. Indian Hill will take out your trash while you are on vacation. I'm not sure if that is true community oriented policing or what. I just know I can't live in that mindset.

Re: Amberley Green Park, Cincinnati

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 9:30 am
by BB62
fisher wrote:The following appears to be a blog from the Vice Mayor of Amberly Village which mentions the parking options for nonresidents who wish to visit the park. It was written in 2012.

http://lonewolfinthevillage.blogspot.co ... green.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ...
Great find!

Do they have picnic tables there? I'm thinking maybe an OC Metro bus ride, followed by a picnic in the park.

Maybe then they'd take down their "no guns" signs. 8)