Woodstock sets fines for after-hours park users

The Woodstock City Council, responding to the problem of people using the city’s mountain bike trails when they’re closed, has approved a schedule of fines for those caught in the parks after hours.

The fines are set at $100 for a first offense, $150 for a second offense and $200 for a third offense, with fines not to exceed $1,000 for subsequent offenses, as determined by a municipal court judge.

City parks usually are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; the trail system closes at dusk. “No person, other than city personnel conducting city business, or engaging in a city sponsored event, shall occupy or be present in such parks during any other hours,” the revised parks closure ordinance says.