FAQs

Library

  • The first time you check out, you can have 5 items.  We take a day to put your information into our computer.  After that, you have a limit of 50 items! 

  • When your application has been entered into our computer, you will be able to hold up to 9 items, from any library in the Sage system.  You can even access your account online to search for and hold the items, though we are always pleased to do this for you at the library, too.

  • Most of our items check out for three weeks.  They can be renewed twice, if no other patron is waiting to check them out.  Our DVD's and video games check out for one week, and may also be renewed twice.  You can access your account online for renewals, or call us to renew things for you, or come in and talk to us in person (we always like that best).

  • All overdue items build fines at a rate of 20 cents per day, to a maximum amount of $5 per item.  

Motorcycles Mopeds and Scooters

    • Has a saddle or a seat for the driver.
    • Is designed to be ridden on 2 or 3 wheels.
    • Has a motor displacement of 50cc's or more.
    • Must be licensed and insured
    • Driver must be 16 years or older.
    • Driver must possess a valid driver's license and motorcycle endorsement.
    • Has a saddle or a seat for the driver.
    • Is designed to be ridden on 2 or 3 wheels.
    • Has a motor displacement of more than 35cc's and less than 50cc's
    • It is equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only and does not require clutching or shifting by the operator after the system is engaged
    • It cannot go faster than 30 mph on a flat surface.
    • Must be licensed and insured.
    • Driver must be 16 years or older
    • Driver must possess a valid driver's license.
    • Has a handlebar and a foot support or a sear for the driver
    • Can be propelled by motor or human propulsion.
    • Has a motor displacement of 35cc's or less.
    • Cannot go more than 24 mph on level ground.
    • The driver must be 16 years or older.
    • The driver must be eligible to possess a valid driver's licence.
    • Is self-balancing on two non-tandem wheels.
    • Is designed to transport one person in a standing position.
    • Has an electric propulsion system
    • Has a maximum speed of 15 mph
    • It can be ridden on the sidewalk
    • Is designed to be operated on the ground on wheels.
    • Has a seat or saddle for use of the rider.
    • Is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.
    • Has both fully operated pedals for human propulsion and an electric motor.
    • Is equipped with an electronic motor that has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts.
    • Is incapable of speed of greater than 20 mph.
    • It can be ridden on the sidewalk unless prohibited by City Ordinance.
    • The driver must obey the motor vehicle laws pertaining to bicycles.

  • Most "Mini Motorcycles" or "Pocket Bikes" do not fit into the same category as motor-assisted scooters.

    These vehicles are not manufactured to operate on the roads and are not equipped to meet US DOT Safety Standards. Manufacturers of the vehicles do not provide manufacturer's certificate of origin or standardized 17 digit vehicle identification numbers or VIN's

    Unless proof is provided to show these vehicles meet the US DOT equipment and safety standards, they cannot be titled and registered and should not be operated on roads or highways. These are off-road use only vehicles.

    Other Important Facts

    • A motorcycle, moped and scooter cannot be ridden on the sidewalk.
    • The driver and passenger of a motorcycle must be wearing an ODOT approved helmet.
    • The driver of a moped must be wearing an ODOT approved helmet.
    • The driver of a scooter must be wearing an approved bicycle helmet.
    • A scooter can be driven on the side of roadways with speed limits of 25 mph or less. A scooter can be operated on a roadway with a speed limit over 25 mph as long as the roadway has marked bike lane for the scooter to travel in.
    • Motorized scooters cannot be ridden in public parks, other than on designated roadways.
    • Scooters must be walked across crosswalks.
    • By City Ordinance they cannot be ridden on the river levee (City Ordinance 3409, Section 19D)

    For more information call Pendleton Police Department (541) 276-4411 or the 24 Hour Dispatch Center (541) 966-3650, Ext 1.

Parks

  • From 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the exception of Rudy Rada Skatepark which closes at midnight.

  • Not all park restrooms and water fountains are winterized and we do have an unfortunate vandalism and damage problem in several park restrooms. Therefore, some restrooms are only open seasonally. Pendleton Parks and Rec makes a concerted effort to keep as many restrooms open as long as possible each day and throughout the year.

  • Dogs are allowed in all City parks, but pet owners must follow City Ordinance 2645, Sec. C. Dogs, which outlines the responsibility of pet owners to keep theirs dogs on a leash and in control at all time and to pick up dog waste. 

    Ordinance 2645, Sec. C. Dogs: No person shall permit any dog to run at large within any public park and all dogs shall be kept in control on leash at all times. Owners of dogs or other animals shall remove their animal's waste when it is deposited within any park or on any public walking surface.

  • Pendleton Parks and Recreation has a tobacco-free (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, vapes, e-cigarettes, etc.) policy on all Pendleton Parks and Recreation property including the River Parkway and Olney Cemetery.

    Visit our Tobacco-Free Parks FAQ for more information

  • For more information about all parks, see the Park Amenities Matrix. For specific information about an individual park, see the individual park page, which has full details on shelters, playgrounds, restrooms, ADA accommodations, and more.

  • Yes, but you must have a permit from Pendleton Parks and Recreation and carry it on you when you are metal detecting. Permits are free, and you can get yours by visiting the Parks Office, 865 Tutuilla Road, and filling out a one-page form.

School Resource Officer/DARE

  • School Resource Officer (SRO) Zaugg is a member of the Enforcement Division, and is assigned to serve schools within the City of Pendleton. SRO Zaugg works in collaboration with educators, students, parents, and the community to reduce crime, drug abuse, violence, and to provide a safe school environment.

    SRO Zaugg is certified through the National Association of School Resource Officers and a member of the Oregon School Resource Officers Association.

    • Patrol school grounds, respond to calls for service in the area, and participate in juvenile enforcement missions to prevent juvenile delinquency
    • Provide guidance on ethical issues in a classroom setting or informal settings
    • Provide individual counseling and mentoring to students
    • Give classroom presentations on the work of the SRO, the criminal justice system, and other related topics that help to build an understanding of law enforcement's role in the community
    • Participate in school-related events

    The safety of students and staff and the security of our campuses are the two main concerns of School Resource Officer Zaugg. To meet the challenges of maintaining a safe campus, we ask for the assistance of students, staff and parents to be vigilant. If you feel that something needs to be addressed, please bring it to the attention of Officer Zaugg, school staff or other law enforcement as soon as possible.

Search Tips and Tricks

  • Yes.  The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.

  • No.  By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase.  In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

    In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations.  The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.

  • Yes.   You can exclude words by using the minus sign (-).   In order to find the results of all pages that have alarm in the result but not permit, you would search for alarm -permit.

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

  • Ordinance No. 3238, Section 11 (B) states: " No person, other than for a test or demonstration ride of a bicycle by an adult or a minor under adult supervision, shall use the sidewalks for traveling on skateboards, bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, or similar devices .... in the downtown area of Pendleton. The downtown area of Pendleton includes all the sidewalks located in the area between the Umatilla River on the north boundary, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks on the south boundary, SW 2nd Street on the west boundary and SE 2nd on the east boundary.

    For your safety and that of pedestrians; you should avoid busy city sidewalks whether or not they are restricted by law.

    The first time you are found in violation of this ordinance, you will be given a verbal warning and your name will be taken down on a log. If you should violate this ordinance a second time, you will be issued a citation, which will result in a fine and the possible forfeiture of your bicycle, skateboard, etc. This Ordinance is put in place to protect you and other pedestrians.

  • Never attach yourself or your bike to another vehicle on the roadway (814.480)

    Sit on the bike not the fender or handlebars. Keep feet on pedals and never carry more people on the bike than the number for which it was designed (814.460 & 814.470)

    Bicyclists must obey all traffic lights and signs and must signal for all turns whether riding on a roadway, a bike lane or bike path.

    Bicyclists who violate the law are subject to traffic tickets.

  • The law requires that bicycles be operated with the designated traffic flow. Bicycling against the traffic is a leading cause of bicycle accidents. Operation with the designated traffic flow makes bicyclists more visible, and their movements more predictable to motorists.

    If there is a visible bike lane, the bicyclist must use it. If there is no bike lane, or the lane is unusable, the bicyclist may ride either on the right shoulder of the roadway or near the right edge of the roadway. The bicyclist must avoid undue interference with vehicular traffic.

  • In the State of Oregon, all bicyclists under the age of 16 are required to wear approved bicycle helmets whether they are operators or passengers on bicycles. (814.485 & 814.486). Any person who violates these provisions is subject to a fine up to $25.00 (814.486 3). The law directs a police officer to issue a citation for such violation to the parent or guardian of a minor child (814.486 b).

    Serious head injuries pose the greatest danger to bicyclists; helmets significantly reduce the risk. Every bicyclist, regardless of age should wear an approved helmet.

  • Bicyclists have the legal right to share the road on most public highways, but it is prohibited on interstate highways.

  • A bicycle must be equipped with a brake that enables the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement (815.280 (2a)

    A bicycle or its rider must be equipped with lighting equipment and used during limited visibility conditions. The lighting equipment must show a white light visible from a distance of at least 500-feet to the front of the bicycle (815.280 A, B). The lighting equipment must have a red reflector or lighting device that is visible from distances up to 600 feet.

Tobacco-Free Parks

  • The new policy, set into ordinance by City Council as Ordinance 2645, states “Tobacco prohibited. No person shall use tobacco products, nor shall they smoke, aerosolize, or vaporize tobacco or any other inhalants, or carry a lighted smoking instrument or activated inhalant delivery system in all public places on all public parks properties, including city-owned cemeteries.” The full ordinance can be viewed at the link above.

    In short, it means that no tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, “vapes,” smokeless tobacco, and so on, can be used on any park property including the Riverfront Plaza, the River Parkway, Olney Cemetery, and all park parking lots.

  • The ordinance went into effect on November 17, 2017. The first six months include an education period, which means no citations will be issued for violations of the ordinance.

  • Everyone, all park staff and visitors are prohibited from using tobacco products anywhere on City of Pendleton park properties.

  • No tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, “vapes,” smokeless tobacco, and so on, can be used on any park property including the Riverfront Plaza, River Parkway, Olney Cemetery, and all park parking lots.

  • These substances are already covered in existing State of Oregon laws. It is illegal to use alcohol or marijuana in public places. It is illegal to use methamphetamines anywhere.

    Alcohol: http://www.oregon.gov/OLCC/pages/index.aspx

    Marijuana: http://www.oregon.gov/olcc/marijuana/Pages/FAQs-Personal-Use.aspx 

  • No. This policy does not take away individuals’ rights to choose to smoke or use tobacco. Instead, it asks tobacco users to refrain from smoking and using tobacco while visiting City parks.

    Tobacco-free policies for outdoor recreational facilities and events do not restrict people from using these facilities or attending these events; rather, they aim to ensure that tobacco users refrain from using tobacco for the period of time that they are using the parks. This protects the public health rights of community members, especially children, who are also using these parks and facilities.

  • No. Tobacco use on any City of Pendleton park property is prohibited, including the parking lots, restrooms, and shelters. Employees and visitors must refrain from using tobacco until they leave our facilities, including parking areas.

  • For a six-month period ending April 17, 2018, education will be the sole method of enforcement. After that point, citations may be issues. However, issuing citations is not the goal of the ordinance. The goal of the ordinance is to eliminate tobacco use in public parks, and education is a more beneficial way to do that.

    Tobacco users can assist with enforcement by choosing to smoke before or after using a public park. That is the best enforcement of the ordinance. If you have any questions about why this is best choice, see the information sheet regarding the effects of tobacco use below.

    Enforcement will happen with courtesy and respect, with an emphasis on education and support. The primary method of enforcement will be education and asking for voluntary compliance. Community members are one of the best enforcement tools for a tobacco-free policy. Most people do not want to be exposed to secondhand smoke, and are willing to speak up if they are being exposed and know an ordinance is in place that is being violated.

  • If you witness someone using tobacco, you have three options:

    1. If comfortable, approach the tobacco-user and inform them of the tobacco-free policy. There is language below to assist you.
    2. Report the violation to the Parks department, so they know where violations are occurring. Report the violation to the Police department, so they can assist in enforcing the ordinance. Please note that the Police department has advised that there is a priority system in place for dealing with reports to their department. Tobacco use will not take priority over more immediate needs. We want you to be aware of what to expect.
    3. Neither approach the tobacco user nor report the violation to Parks of Police. Your choice in how to deal with the matter is based on your own personal comfort level.

    It is important that all park users help maintain a tobacco-free environment by respectfully educating anyone who is observed using tobacco products while in the park.

    Excuse me, I wanted to let you know that this, and all city parks are now tobacco-free. Please put out your cigarette. If you wish to continue smoking, please respect the policy and go off park grounds. Thank you.

    I would appreciate it if you would consider Parks and Recreation’s goal to provide a healthy environment for everyone. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause you. We ask that you respect the ordinance and not use tobacco in the park. Thank you.

    Dealing with Resistance or Push-Back

    When informing others of the policy, you may encounter resistance or push-back. Do not get into an argument. Walk away. If the patron knows of the policy and chooses not to comply, report the violation to the Parks department and/or the Police department. The city police can respond to a park violation, yet may not be able to respond in time to see the offense committed. Please report observed violations to the Parks and Recreation Department so we can better address the need for education and/or monitoring at specific park locations.

    When reporting to Pendleton Parks and Recreation, you can call the front office at 541-276-8100 or email goplayppr@ci.pendleton.or.us.

  • Yes, the ordinance is always in effect.

    • Tobacco-free policies are concerned with the health of everyone.
      • Tobacco-free parks create healthy and safe environments for residents and visitors, especially children.
      • Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in our community. Each year over 148 people in Umatilla County die from tobacco-related illnesses and 2,893 people live with a serious illness caused by tobacco products. 1
      • According to the United States Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.
      • Tobacco-free supports individuals who are trying to quit tobacco use or have already quit. 70% of smokers want to quit and it is helpful to have tobacco-free environments to assist in their efforts.2
      • Tobacco-free reduces exposure of children and youth to smoking and tobacco use, protecting their health and discouraging them from starting tobacco use and potentially developing a nicotine addiction that is harder to quit the earlier it is started. 90% of tobacco users start or before the age of 18.3
    • Tobacco-free policies eliminate the confusion of staff, participants, and visitors about what is and is not allowed to be used.
      • Look for the posted “Tobacco-Free” signs in the park. These signs provide people with the ability to rely on community and self-enforcement. Many tobacco users look for “no tobacco” signs. Signs have been ordered for all parks and will be installed as soon as they arrive.
    • This policy protects parks and natural areas from potential risk of fires and litter caused from cigarettes butts.
    • Tobacco-free policies help reduce all tobacco waste (butts, wrappers, spit residue, spit containers etc.) on the ground and area.
      • Tobacco-free policies protect parks and natural areas from environmental degradation caused by littering of cigarette butts and other tobacco-related waste. Most cigarette butts are made from acetate, a plastic that can take up to approximately 10 years to biodegrade.4
      • Cigarettes, once consumed in public spaces, are often discarded on the ground requiring additional maintenance expenses, diminishing the beauty of our community’s facilities, and posing a risk to toddlers and wildlife due to ingestion. Less litter keeps city parks safe, clean, and appealing.
    • Contributes to cost savings: tobacco-related disease is still the leading cause of preventable death in Oregon and costs Umatilla County $29.5 million each year in medical care and $23.7 million in lost productivity.1

  • Smoke only covers certain types of tobacco, while the term “tobacco-free” encompasses all existing and future products that include tobacco.

  • The City of Pendleton joins several other communities in Oregon, and is one of the first in Eastern Oregon!

    (Partial list)

    • Ashland
    • Astoria
    • Bandon
    • Bend
    • Benton County
    • City of Umatilla
    • Clatsop County
    • Corvallis
    • Cottage Grove
    • Lake Oswego
    • Lincoln City
    • Medford
    • Multnomah County
    • Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department
    • Portland
    • Roseburg
    • Springfield
    • Umatilla County Parks
    • Veneta
    • Wilsonville 

  • Oregon Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Free for everyone.

    https://www.quitnow.net/oregon/

    http://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/PreventionWellness/TobaccoPrevention/GetHel...

    For other tobacco cessation resources contact Umatilla County Tobacco Prevention & Education Coordinator at Umatilla County Public Health 541-278-5432.

  • Please email goplayppr@ci.pendleton.or.us

Wood Stove Replacement Program

  • Energy Trust of Oregon offers added incentives in the form of rebates, depending on the replacement heating system you choose.  Check with your contractor or visit the Energy Trust website at www.energytrust.org for details and to see which stoves qualify.

  • It is important that older, inefficient wood stoves are not reused. Pendleton Sanitary Service (PSS) has agreed to destroy the old wood stoves that are collected and recycle them for scrap. You will receive proof when you drop your old wood stove off at PSS. Notify the drop-off site attendant that you are participating in the Wood Stove Replacement Program. Fill out pertinent information and have the attendant stamp the completed form. If the old wood stove is dropped off by the contractor, the contractor is responsible for obtaining the stamped receipt.

  • No, the loan applies only to the replacement of uncertified wood stoves. A common fireplace is not considered a wood stove. However, uncertified fireplace inserts can be considered as wood stoves and are eligible for the program.

  • Contact Greg Lacquement at (541) 966-0249 or greg.lacquement@ci.pendleton.or.us

    A SPECIAL THANKS TO:

    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

    Oregon Hearth Products Association

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