AUBURN - Cayuga County parks commissioners are close to acquiring the power to regulate all county parks and recreational areas in the county.

County Legislature Public Works Committee members authorized a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. April 24 to discuss the creation of a new local law for all county parks and recreation properties that repeals two old local laws.

The new local law authorizes the parks commissioners to regulate all county parks and recreational areas, according to the resolution.

“The parks commission has consolidated the laws into one,” said Gary Duckett, county director of parks and trails.

Cayuga County legislators will formerly schedule the public hearing date during their March 26 meeting.

The drafted law prohibits activities such as polluting water or operation of all-terrain vehicles. In January, Duckett presented a local law draft to park commissioners that established county regulation for the control of activities and use by the public at all parks, trails and recreational areas owned and operated by the county.

Duckett used the foundation of the 1996 law and added necessary items from a 1988 law to write it.

The first park local law written in 1988 established regulations by the public at all parks and recreational areas operated by the county.

In 1996, a second local law was written establishing regulations at the Sterling project area owned by the county in the northern part of the county.

Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net