Player Code of Conduct

It is The FORT’s intent to provide the public with a safe environment that maximizes the public’s use and enjoyment of the activities. The following rules and regulations apply to all members and guests. All members and guests are also expected to abide by The FORT’s Player Code of Conduct, which is incorporated into these Rules and Regulations by reference and is posted on our website.

1.0 HOURS OF OPERATION

1.1 The FORT’s hours of operation are posted on our website and are subject to change. Holiday hours may differ and will be posted in advance.

1.2 The pedestrian gate entrances to Snyder Park will be closed when Snyder Park is closed to the public. It is incumbent upon our members and guests to note those times if they have left any personal possessions in Snyder Park while visiting The FORT. The FORT is not authorized to open the gates to allow anyone access to retrieve any possessions after hours.

1.3 Any section or part of The FORT may be closed to the public or limited to certain uses at any time, and at the sole discretion of The FORT, to preserve the health, safety and welfare of its members and guests.

2.0 USE OF THE FORT PROPERTY

2.1 The FORT is a privately run facility open to the public. The FORT is privately operated on public parkland within Snyder Park, part of the City of Fort Lauderdale park system; the park grounds are open to the public at no charge, while use of the pickleball courts and certain activities requires payment and is managed by The FORT. The FORT is a pickleball facility with various amenities. There is an expectation that members and guests of The FORT will conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and the management reserves the right to refuse access and service to anyone who violates the Rules and Regulations.

2.2 As part of the City Park system, no person shall damage any tree, plant, or any of the natural elements of The FORT.

2.3 No person shall molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, hunt, chase, capture, shoot or throw any object which may harm any mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian, that is on The FORT property.

2.4 The general use of the facility is open to the public at no cost; however, use of the pickleball courts and other recreational activities will require a fee and will require registration for use unless The FORT specifically waives the fee in writing.

2.5 All guests participating in any activity at The FORT will be required to sign a waiver. Parents/Guardians will be required to sign a waiver for their minor children.

2.6 No child under the age of 15 will be permitted on the property without an adult present unless they are participating in a supervised program, clinic or camp. Parents must register any minor prior to them engaging in any activities, sign a waiver, and ensure that they will be responsible for compliance with all rules and regulations. Parents are expected to pick up their children in a timely manner after any scheduled activity, program, clinic, or camp. Failure to do so may result in revocation of the minors’ ability to use the facilities.

2.7 All guests are expected to be respectful of other members and guests and limit noise when possible. No outside music will be permitted on the premises without The FORT’s explicit permission.

2.8 No outside Food or Beverage is permitted at The FORT. However, members and guests will be permitted to bring a water bottle for sports activities.

2.9 In the event there is a lightning alarm, all members and guests of The FORT will be asked to move to a protected area.

2.10 No commercial photography or video recordings or equipment will be permitted on the premises without permission from The FORT.

2.11 Any person behaving inappropriately or disrespectfully towards Fort staff or others may be subject to a revocation of the privilege of using The FORT’s facilities or participating in activities or programs at The FORT. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, berating or harassing Club staff or members, engaging in physical or verbal altercations, fighting, or any conduct deemed disruptive, unsafe, or threatening to other members, guests, or staff.

2.12 No balloons shall be permitted on the premises without express permission from The FORT.

2.13 No person shall use The FORT, or their access to members, guests, or staff, to solicit, sell, market, promote, or recruit for any product, service, business, or cause without The FORT’s prior written permission.

2.14 The FORT is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property. Members and guests are responsible for securing their own belongings.

3.0 MEMBERSHIP

3.1 The FORT offers various opportunities for membership, which are posted on The FORT’s Website at PlaytheFort.com. However, individuals are not required to join as a member to use the facilities. The fees for pickleball play and use of other activities are posted online and at the facility. There is no cost to enter the grounds.

3.2 Only individuals 18 and over may hold a membership at The FORT. If a parent/guardian joins on behalf of a minor, that parent/guardian is responsible for ensuring the minor follows the rules and regulations. The parent/guardian shall sign a waiver on their behalf.

3.3 Membership that is paid monthly, can be canceled prior to the beginning of any renewal month; however, each month shall be fully earned upon payment.

3.4 Members will only be required to sign a waiver one time. If a membership lapses for more than 30 days, a new waiver must be signed.

4.0 PET POLICY

4.1 Domestic pets, including dogs, are not permitted at The FORT, except for Service Animals as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. Section 12102.

4.2 For Fort advertised pet-friendly events and for all Service Animals:

a. Pets are not permitted in the lake but may remain on the sand.

b. Pet owners or handlers are responsible for cleaning and disposing of any waste created by their pet(s) and any aggressive pet may be removed at The FORT’s sole discretion. No pet shall threaten or cause personal injury to any person or create a public nuisance or any form of excessive noise that disturbs the peace and quiet enjoyment of others, such as continuous barking or any similar conduct.

c. All dogs must have current vaccinations and a license, pursuant to Sections 6-31 and 6-32 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

d. The FORT has a designated pet relief area with signage indicating such.

4.3 Service animals must be kept on a leash at all times and are not permitted on the pickleball courts. No pets or animals other than service animals are permitted at The FORT.

4.4 If a service animal is not housebroken or is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or the animal otherwise does not meet the definition of a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable law, The FORT may ask that the animal be removed from the premises.

5.0 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC

5.1 The only vehicular entrance to The FORT is on 34th Street. Members and Guests are encouraged to share vehicles and only park in any spot that is not designated “reserved.” No car shall be left unattended in the designated drop off area.

5.2 Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, and other motorized vehicles are welcome and shall be parked in the designated areas. They will not be permitted on The FORT grounds.

5.3 Members and Guests of The FORT should not park in Snyder Park to use the pedestrian entrance. The pedestrian entrance is intended for those guests of Snyder Park to visit The FORT. The pedestrian gates are closed when the park is closed, and any personal property left behind cannot be accessed after hours.

5.4 Skates, skateboards, roller skates, inline skates and similar equipment are not permitted on The FORT grounds for safety reasons.

5.5 No vehicles may be left overnight.

5.6 RV parking is not permitted.

6.0 PICKLEBALL PLAY

6.1 All courts must be reserved in advance using our website or downloading one of our tech partner applications. Payment is made upon making your reservation and a waiver must be signed unless the individual reserving the court is a member and has already signed the member waiver.

6.2 Players will be responsible for the total court booking fee for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the time of a reservation. Each booking player must add all other players to their booking to ensure their account is not charged for the entire amount.

6.3 Players should visit the website to obtain specifics about available courts and fees.

6.4 Players will receive credit for the time a court is not playable due to rain or other weather conditions. Credits given will be in 30-minute increments. If players’ usage was 50 minutes or more, no credit will be provided.

6.5 A player under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a potential risk to themselves and to other players. Therefore, The FORT reserves the right to exclude any player that appears to be intoxicated.

6.6 Members and Guests may not host tournaments, leagues, or clinics without written permission from the FORT.

6.7 Members and Guests may not provide paid lessons to other members or guests.

6.8 No food or beverages are permitted on any court, except water or an electrolyte sports drink in a closed, non-glass container (a personal bottle or a beverage purchased on-site). All other beverages must be kept off the courts and outside the playing area, behind the perimeter fencing.

6.9 Players must honor their reserved court times and promptly vacate the court at the end of their reservation. Holding or “saving” courts is not permitted, and players must follow any posted challenge-court or rotation rules.

6.10 When paddle racks are in use, a player may place their paddle on only one rack at a time and may not hold positions on multiple racks. A player whose paddle is in a rack may not leave to play or wait elsewhere and then reclaim their position; if a player leaves the area, their paddle will be removed from the rack and the player must re-enter the queue.

7.0 BEACH & LAKE

7.1 Swimming and bathing in the lake is prohibited.

7.2 Any use of other water activities will require a signed liability waiver. The fees for use of any watercraft will be posted on the website and at The FORT. Members and Guests may bring their own non-motorized watercraft but must sign a liability waiver before entering the water.

• No fishing is permitted.

• In the event of lightning or life-threatening weather, all persons must move to a covered area when the lightning warning sounds.

• All children under the age of 15 that are not participating in a Fort program with staff supervision must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• A guest under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a potential risk to themselves and to others. The FORT reserves the right to refuse service for any beach activity if the guest appears to be intoxicated.

8.0 SAFETY

8.1 Guns or other weapons on the premises are strictly prohibited.

8.2 No smoking or vaping is allowed anywhere on the premises including Cigarettes, E-cigarettes, Pipes, Cigars, or Chewing Tobacco.

8.3 All bags are subject to inspection at any time.

8.4 Clear bags or bags of a certain size may be required during events, except for medically necessary items or diaper bags, which remain subject to inspection.

8.5 No chewing gum is permitted anywhere on the premises.

8.6 Glass containers are not permitted anywhere on the grounds.

9.0 ATTIRE

9.1 No swimsuits or bare feet allowed outside the beach area.

9.2 For court play: Athletic shirt, shorts, leggings, and court shoes.

9.3 Shirts and footwear are required in all indoor and dining areas of the club.

* The FORT reserves the right to amend these rules to protect the health, safety, and enjoyment of the members and guests of the facility.