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Lubbock has a lot of great parks for families to enjoy. But did you know the City of Lubbock actually has a list of activities that are banned inside local parks?

Many of the regulations make sense. For example, citizens are prohibited from playing sanctioned games of football, basketball, golf, soccer, etc. in a city park. Of course, you can always play a pick up game or a game between friends or two different groups as long as it's a friendly game.

Also banned at Lubbock parks? If you planned on swimming, taking a bath or ice skating, well, you're pretty much out of luck. Those activities are not allowed, except in places with a specific designation. As far as ice skating on a playa lake, just don't. It rarely gets cold enough in Lubbock for thick ice to form.

It's also against city rules to "remove any tree, shrub, bush or plant, or injure the bark, or pick the flowers or seeds of any tree or plant, or attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree, shrub, bush or plant, or dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas, or in any other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area." So if you see a flower or seed that you really like, don't touch it.

Another rule that may surprise some people is that you aren't allowed to operate a metal detector at city parks: "To utilize or operate a metal detector or metal-detecting equipment within any public park unless otherwise permitted in writing by the director of parks and recreation." That's a little disappointing because who knows what you could find out there.

Another rule that I'm sure everyone always pays attention to is that you can't drink alcohol in parks. Unless, of course, there's a festival or you're playing golf at Meadowbrook Golf Course at Mackenzie Park.

One more rule that you may not be aware of for Lubbock parks is to keep your horses, mules and donkeys out: "To ride, lead or drive any horse, mule, donkey or other equine animal over or through any park within the city except upon grounds set apart and designated as grounds therefor."

You can read more Lubbock park ordinances here.

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