[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Dover as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Board of Recreation Commissioners — See Ch. 67.
Alcoholic beverages — See Ch. 105.
Animals — See Chs. 113; 395.
Hunting and fishing — See Ch. 221.
Noise — See Ch. 254.
Trees — See Ch. 366.
[Adopted 4-25-1978 by Ord. No. 8-1978]
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Dover Ordinance Regulating Conduct in Public Parks."
For purposes of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein:
DIRECTOR
A person immediately in charge of any park area and its activities and to whom all park attendants of such area are responsible.
PERSON
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
VEHICLE
Any wheeled conveyance, whether motor powered, animal-drawn or self-propelled. The term shall include any trailer in tow of any size, kind or description. Exception is made for baby carriages and vehicles in the service of the Town parks.
No person in a park shall:
A. 
Buildings and other property.
(1) 
Disfiguration and removal. Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, paving or paving material, water lines or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.
(2) 
Rest rooms and washrooms. Fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition. No person over the age of five years shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.
(3) 
Removal of natural resources. Dig or remove any beach sand, whether submerged or not, or any soil, rock, stones, trees, shrubs or plants, down-timber or other wood or materials or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.
(4) 
Erection of structures. Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary in character, or run or string any public service utility into, upon or across such lands, except on special written permit issued hereunder.
B. 
Trees, shrubbery and lawns.
(1) 
Injury and removal. Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark or pick the flowers or seeds of any tree or plant, nor shall any person attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant. A person shall not dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.
(2) 
Climbing trees, etc. Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railings, fences or guncarriages or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.
(3) 
Hitching of animals. Tie or hitch a horse or other animal to any tree or plant.
C. 
Wild animals and birds.
(1) 
Hunting. Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor shall he remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest, or young of any reptile or bird; nor shall he collect, remove, have in his possession, give away, sell or offer to sell or buy or offer to buy or accept as a gift any specimen, alive or dead, of any of the group of tree snails. Exception to the foregoing is made in that snakes known to be deadly poisonous, such as rattlesnakes, moccasins, coral snakes or other deadly reptiles, may be killed on sight.
(2) 
Feeding. Give or offer or attempt to give to any animal or bird any tobacco, alcohol or other known noxious substances.
No person in a park shall:
A. 
Pollution of waters. Throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, bay or other body of water in or adjacent to any park or any tributary, stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such waters any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said waters.
B. 
Refuse and trash. Have brought in or shall dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse or other trash. No such refuse or trash shall be placed in any waters in or contiguous to any park or left anywhere on the grounds thereof but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided; where receptacles are not so provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.
[Amended 7-10-2001 by Ord. No. 14-2001]
No person in a park shall:
A. 
Confined to roads. Ride a bicycle or scooter on other than a paved vehicular road or path designated for that purpose. A bicyclist or person riding a scooter shall be permitted to wheel or push a bicycle or scooter by hand over any grassy area or wooded trail or on any paved area reserved for pedestrian use.
B. 
Operation. Ride a bicycle or scooter other than on the right-hand side of the road paving as close as conditions permit, and bicycles or scooters shall be kept in single file when two or more are operating as a group. Bicyclists and persons riding scooters shall at all times operate their machines with reasonable regard to the safety of others, signal all turns, pass to the right of any vehicle they are overtaking and pass to the right of any vehicles they may be meeting.
C. 
Rider prohibited. Ride any other person on a bicycle or scooter.
D. 
Designated racks. Leave a bicycle or scooter in a place other than a bicycle or scooter rack when such is provided and there is a space available.
E. 
Immobile. Leave a bicycle or scooter lying on the ground or paving or set against trees or in any place or position where other persons may trip over or be injured by it.
F. 
Night operation. Ride a bicycle or scooter on any road between 30 minutes after sunset or before 30 minutes before sunrise without an attached headlight plainly visible at least 200 feet in front of, and without a red taillight or red reflector plainly visible from at least 20 feet from the rear of, such bicycle or scooter.
A. 
No person in a park shall:
(1) 
Alcoholic beverages. Possess or consume any alcoholic beverage on any park property in the Town of Dover except by special permit approved by the Recreation Commission and the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, Town of Dover. In addition, applicants for permit must comply with State of New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission rules and regulations, secure a State of New Jersey alcoholic beverage control permit and pay any fees required.
[Amended 9-26-1978 by Ord. No. 23-1978]
(2) 
Drunkenness. Have entered or be under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
(3) 
Fireworks and explosives. Have brought or have in his possession or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn any firecrackers, torpedo, rocket or other fireworks or explosives of inflammable material or discharge them or throw them into any such area from land or highways adjacent thereto. This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture or article that, in conjunction with any other substance or compound, would be dangerous from any of the foregoing standpoints.
(4) 
Domestic animals. Have been responsible for the entry of a dog or other domestic animal into areas other than automobile parking concourses and walks immediately adjacent thereto and in such other areas as may be clearly marked by signs bearing the words "Domestic Animals Permitted in This Area." Nothing herein shall be construed as permitting the running of dogs at large. All dogs in those areas where such animals are permitted shall be restrained at all times on adequate leashes not greater than eight feet in length.
(5) 
Reservation of facilities. Occupy any seat or bench or enter into or loiter or remain in any pavilion or other park structure or section thereof which may be reserved and designated by the Board for the use of the opposite sex. Exception is made for children under five years of age.
(6) 
Dress. Appear at any place in other than proper clothing. With the exception of the restricted bathing areas, "properly clothed" shall be construed to prohibit the wearing of trunks or clothing that does not cover the upper portion of the body.
(7) 
Smoke at any event in any park or playground area within 50 feet of any playground, playing field, spectator stands or where children are at play. "Smoking" shall be defined to mean the burning of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco. "Event" shall be defined as any game (organized or unorganized), performance, ceremony or the like. Exempted from this no-smoking requirement shall be private parties or gatherings where a public park is rented from the Town.
[Added 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 11-2007]
B. 
Gambling. No form of gambling, as defined in the New Jersey Penal Code, but specifically including the so-called "friendly card game," shall be permitted on any park property.
[Added 9-26-1978 by Ord. No. 23-1978]
C. 
Amplifying systems and musical instruments. No sound-amplifying system nor any musical instrument, radio, phonograph or similar instruments shall be utilized after 8:00 p.m., except by permit of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Dover.[1]
[Added 9-26-1978 by Ord. No. 23-1978]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 254, Noise.
D. 
Interference with personnel. No person shall interfere with any employee of the Town of Dover or its Recreation Commissioners, to prevent said persons from performing their work or other duties.
[Added 9-26-1978 by Ord. No. 23-1978]
E. 
Blocking access routes to park property prohibited. No person shall block or impede by any means normal vehicular or pedestrian ingress or egress to or from any park property.
[Added 9-26-1978 by Ord. No. 23-1978]
F. 
Glass containers. No beer and soda in glass bottles shall be brought onto any park property.
[Added 6-12-1979 by Ord. No. 15-1979]
G. 
Crescent Field.
[Added 4-13-1999 by Ord. No. 8-1999]
(1) 
"Field closed" signs. "Field closed" signs are to be installed on the northerly and southerly portions of Crescent Field, located along Chestnut/Second Street in the Town of Dover. Whenever the "field closed" sign is posted, it shall be prohibited for any person or vehicle to enter in or upon Crescent Field.
(2) 
The use of Crescent Field shall be for Dover residents only, except that if organized leagues have a permit to utilize said fields, nonresidents may participate on a team engaged in competition with a team comprised of Dover residents.
(3) 
Any organized group wishing to utilize the field may do so only by permit obtainable from the Dover Recreation Commission and under the rules and regulations established by the Recreation Commission.
(4) 
Teams possessing a permit are entitled to the use of the field for which the permit is granted and all others shall yield said field to the organization or team possessing the permit. The Town reserves the right to prohibit use of the fields for any unorganized activities where it is determined by the municipality that the extent of such play will be detrimental to the long-term health and growth of the turf.
(5) 
The upper field (south of Second Avenue) of Crescent Field shall permit open play when such area is not reserved by permit during all regular park hours.
[Added 8-26-2003 by Ord. No. 32-2003]
[Added 9-26-1978 by Ord. No. 23-1978]
The parking of vehicles, such as cars, trucks and motorcycles, shall be specifically limited to those areas designated for parking, and no parking shall occur except during those hours that the park is open for usage. Vehicles abandoned for more than 24 hours in any park shall be towed and stored, and the owners shall be responsible for all charges for towing and storage in addition to any fines levied for violation of this article.
[Added 9-26-1978 by Ord. No. 23-1978; amended 6-2-1992 by Ord. No. 13-1992]
The normal operation for the parks, playgrounds and ballfields shall be 8:00 a.m. to sunset, except lighted areas designated and regulated by the Commission and special areas requiring a permit authorized by the Recreation Commission.
A. 
Officials. The Director and park attendants shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this article.
B. 
Authority to eject. The Director and any park attendant shall have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation of this article.
C. 
Seizure of property. The Director and any park attendant shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing or device in the park, or used in violation of this article.
[Amended 5-28-1996 by Ord. No. 19-1996; 4-9-2002 by Ord. No. 11-2002]
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to one or more of the following: a fine not exceeding $1,250, a term of imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
[Adopted 2-28-2006 by Ord. No. 05-2006]
Preamble
Youth sports programs play an important role in promoting the physical, social and emotional development of children. It is therefore essential for parents, coaches and officials to encourage youth athletes to embrace the values of good sportsmanship. Moreover, adults involved in youth sports events should be models of good sportsmanship and should lead by example by demonstrating fairness, respect, and self-control.
I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a youth sporting event and shall conform my behavior to the following Code of Conduct:
1.
I will not force my child or child that I coach to participate in sports.
2.
I will remember that children participate to have fun, and that the game is for youth, not adults.
3.
I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
4.
I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
5.
I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
6.
I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent such as booing, taunting, refusing to shake hands, or using profane language or gestures.
7.
I will not encourage any behavior or practices that would endanger the health and well-being of the athletes.
8.
I will teach my child or the child I coach to play by the rules and resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
9.
I will demand that my child or the child I coach treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
10.
I will teach that doing one's best is more important than winning, so that no child will ever feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.
11.
I will praise all of the children for competing fairly and trying hard and make each child feel like a winner every time.
12.
I will never ridicule or yell at any child or any other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
13.
I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit a child over winning. I will also de-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
14.
I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have to win.
15.
I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field/gym, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed time and place.
16.
I will demand a sports environment that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all sports events.
17.
I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.
I also agree that if I fail to conform my conduct to the above-mentioned rules and guidelines while attending, coaching or officiating or participating in any youth sports organization event with regard to any participating team, I may be subject to the disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following:
Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or head of league organization, as appropriate.
Written warning by the Town of Dover Recreation Commission and/or sports officials, as appropriate.
Suspension (ban) or immediate ejection from a youth sports event issued by the Town of Dover Police Department, Town of Dover Recreation Commission or the youth sports organization conducting the game.
Suspension (ban) from multiple youth sports events issued by the Town of Dover Recreation Commission, as appropriate.
Parental game suspension (banning) with written documentation of incident kept on file by organization involved, as appropriate.
Game forfeit through the game official, as appropriate.
Parental season suspension (banning) or multiple season suspension as issued by the Town of Dover Recreation Commission.
I hereby agree that I have read and understand this Code of Conduct and will abide by it.
Print Name
Signature of Parent/Guardian or Coach
A. 
A coach, player, parent, participant, official or other youth sports event attendee who violates one or more of the provisions contained in the Town of Dover Sports Code of Conduct may be ejected or banned from attending, coaching, officiating or participating in at least one sporting event if the person:
(1) 
Has been issued a prior written warning for violating one or more provisions contained in the Town of Dover Sports Code of Conduct.
(2) 
Violates the Town of Dover Sports Code of Conduct by engaging in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
(3) 
Violated the Town of Dover Sports Code of Conduct by initiating a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant or official or by any other attendee.
(4) 
Is arrested for violent behavior or aggravated assault by the Town of Dover Police Department.
B. 
A person who has been banned for violation of the Town of Dover Sports Code of Conduct may seek relief from such ban as follows:
(1) 
Provides a written request to the Town of Dover Recreation Commission for permission to resume participation in or attendance to a Town of Dover youth sports event.
(2) 
Provides a written apology to the Town of Dover Recreation Commission and/or sports organization president and to the persons who were the subject of the behavior which constituted the violation of the Code of Conduct as directed by the Town of Dover Recreation Commission and/or the sports organization president.
(3) 
Demonstrates the completion of (as required by the Town of Dover Recreation Commission) an anger management counseling program which satisfies provisions of the below subsection entitled "Counseling."
(4) 
Satisfies any other requirement as reasonably set forth by the Town of Dover Recreation Commission and sports organization or league.
C. 
Counseling.
(1) 
An anger management counseling program shall, at a minimum, offer services to individuals, singly or in groups, for the purposes of promoting anger control principles and shall be administered by an individual:
(a) 
Licensed as a professional counselor pursuant to the provisions of the Professional Counselor Licensing Act, N.J.S.A. 45:8B:34 et seq.; or
(b) 
Licensed as a practicing psychologist pursuant to the provisions of the Practicing Psychology Licensing Act, N.J.S.A. 45:14B:1 et seq.
(2) 
Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the Town of Dover Recreation Commission and sports organizations from requiring a person banned pursuant to the provisions of this article to complete an anger management counseling program specified by such Commission or organization.