[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Mansfield 7-24-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-12. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
A.
No person in a public park or recreation area shall:
(1)
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper
with, displace or remove any buildings, bridges, tables, benches,
fireplaces, railings, paving or paving material, waterlines 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)
Fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms
in a neat and sanitary condition. No person over the age of six years
shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite
sex.
(3)
Dig or remove 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)
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.
(5)
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.
(6)
Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments,
vases, fountains, railings or fences or upon any other property not
designated or customarily used for such purposes.
(7)
Tie or hitch an animal to any tree or plant while
unattended.
(8)
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease,
shoot or throw objects 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.
(9)
Throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be
placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, or other
body of water in or adjacent to any park, or any tributary stream,
storm sewer or drain flowing into such water, any substance, matter
or thing, liquid or solid which will, or may result in, the pollution
of said waters.
(10)
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.
(11)
Drive
any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads. The Recreation
Committee may, on occasion, specifically designate parking areas or
such other areas as temporary parking areas. No park road, parking
area or temporary parking area shall be utilized for the purpose of
conducting commercial driver school education or private driving instruction
including, but not limited to, practice driving or the operation and
driving of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
(12)
Park a vehicle in other than an established
or designated parking area or operate a vehicle contrary to clearly
marked instructions where the same are designed to protect the public
safety and welfare of those using the recreation area. Parking areas,
one-way streets or other traffic control regulations shall be clearly
identified with signs in appropriate locations.
(13)
Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night
in established parking areas or elsewhere in park areas. All public
parks and recreation areas shall be officially declared closed between
the hours of 30 minutes after sundown and 30 minutes before sunrise.
All reference to nighttime, after hours, dark, before opening, after
closing, etc., shall refer to the closing hours of those public parks
and recreation areas as described in this subsection. Permission to
use the public parks and recreation areas after designated closing
hours may be granted at the discretion of the Recreation Committee
upon specific request.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
(14)
Ride a bicycle, skateboard or scooter on other
than a paved vehicular road or path designated for that purpose. A
bicyclist shall be permitted to wheel or push a bicycle by hand over
any grassy area or wooded trail or any paved area reserved for pedestrian
use.
(15)
Ride a bicycle, skateboard or scooter other
than on the right-hand side of the road paving as close as conditions
permit; bicycles shall be kept in single file when two or more bicyclists
are operating as a group. Bicyclists shall at all times operate their
machines with reasonable regard for 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.
(16)
Ride any other person on a bicycle that is not
equipped to accommodate such additional person or persons.
(17)
Leave a bicycle, skateboard or scooter in a
place other than in a bicycle rack or designated area when such is
provided and there is space available.
(18)
Leave a bicycle, skateboard or scooter lying
on the ground or paving or set against trees or in any place or position
where other persons may trip over it and be injured as a result.
(19)
Ride a bicycle, skateboard or scooter on any
road or bicycle path between 15 minutes after sunset and 15 minutes
before sunrise.
B.
In areas of parks and public lands designated as recreation
areas, no person shall:
(1)
Be permitted to utilize more than one fishing rod,
fishing pole or handheld line per person at any one time in those
areas in which fishing is permitted by the Recreation Committee, or
to swim, bathe or wade in any waters or waterways in or adjacent to
any park, except in such waters and at such places as are provided
therefor and in compliance with such regulations as are herein set
forth or may be hereafter adopted. Nor shall any person frequent any
waters or places customarily designated for the purpose of swimming
or bathing when such activity is prohibited by the Recreation Committee
upon a finding that such use of the water would be dangerous or otherwise
inadvisable.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
(2)
Swim or wade in any waters adjacent to any public
parks or recreation areas except those areas specifically designated
for such purposes.
(3)
Fish in any waters except in waters designated by
the Recreation Committee for that use. No ice fishing is allowed without
the specific permission of the Recreation Committee. All fishing shall
be limited to catching fish by hook and line, and no nets or other
mechanical devices are permitted.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
(4)
Fish in any area where bathing is permitted.
(5)
Hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time. No person
shall use, carry or possess firearms of any description, or air rifles,
spring guns, bows and arrows, slings or any other forms of weapons
potentially inimical to wildlife and dangerous to human safety or
any instrument that can be loaded with and fire blank cartridges,
or any kind of trapping device. Shooting into park areas from beyond
park boundaries is forbidden.
(6)
Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated
for that purpose. Attendants shall have the authority to regulate
the activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion
and to secure the maximum use for the comfort and convenience of all.
Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end.
(7)
Violate the regulation that the use of individual
grills, together with tables and benches, follows generally the rule
of the first-come, first-served.
(8)
Use any portion of the picnic areas or any of the
buildings or structures therein for the purpose of holding picnics
to the exclusion of other persons, nor shall any person use such areas
and facilities for an unreasonable length of time if the facilities
are crowded.
(9)
Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely
extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers,
cans, bottles, garbage and other refuse is placed in the disposal
receptacles where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available,
then refuse and trash shall be carried away from the park area by
the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.
(10)
Set up tents, shacks or any other temporary
shelter for the purpose of overnight camping; nor shall any person
leave in a park after closing hours any movable structure or special
vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, such as
a house trailer, camp trailer, camp wagon or the like.
(11)
Take part in or assist the playing of any games
involving stones, arrows, javelins or model airplanes, model rockets,
except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation.
(12)
Ride a horse, except on designated bridle trails.
Where permitted, horses shall be thoroughly broken and properly restrained
and ridden with due care and shall not be allowed to graze or go unattended,
nor shall they be hitched to any rock, tree or shrub.
(13)
No person shall throw, discard or place trash,
garbage or untreated sewage generated around or in their private or
rented domicile or place of business, in any trash containers, drums,
dumpsters, cans, barrels or any other receptacles within the park
system or the Township, or any public place within the Township, in
an effort to avoid or circumvent their regular municipal trash pickup
system.
While in a public park or recreation area, all
persons shall conduct themselves in a proper and orderly manner, and,
in particular, no person shall:
A.
Bring alcoholic beverages or drink the same at any
time; nor shall any person be under the influence of any intoxicating
liquor in a park or recreation area. Permission to serve and consume
alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner and within legal guidelines
at group functions held on or in the public park or recreation areas
may be granted upon specific request and at the discretion of the
Recreation Committee. Said specific request must be made in writing
to the Recreation Committee, and, if approved, a special permit will
be issued to the applicant, specifying the date and time which said
permit will cover.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
B.
Have in his possession or set off or otherwise cause
to explode or discharge or burn any firecracker, rocket or other fireworks
or explosive of flammable material or discharge them or throw them
into any such areas from land or highway 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. At the discretion of the Recreation
Committee, permits may be given for conducting properly supervised
fireworks in designated areas.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
C.
Be 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 as permitted
in the Township of Mansfield ordinances. All dog or animal waste shall
be removed from the municipal park and properly disposed of by the
owner.
D.
Occupy any rest room seat or bench, or enter into
or loiter or remain in any other park structure or section thereof
which may be reserved and designated by the Recreation Committee for
the use of the opposite sex. Exception is made for children less than
six years of age.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
E.
Appear in any place in a manner that violates public
decency laws.
F.
Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether
public or private.
G.
Build or attempt to build a fire, except in those
areas specifically designated using the proper facilities that are
provided. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted
matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other flammable
material within any park area or on any highway, road or street abutting
or contiguous thereto.
H.
Enter an area that is posted as closed to the public,
nor shall any person use or assist in the use of any area in violation
of posted notices.
I.
Gamble or participate in or support any game of chance.
J.
Go onto the ice on any of the waters, except such
areas as are designated as skating fields and provided that a safety
signal is displayed.
K.
Sleep or protractedly lounge on the seats or benches
or other areas, or engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive,
insulting or indecent language, or engage in any disorderly conduct
or behavior tending to be a breach of the public peace.
L.
Fail to produce and exhibit any permit from the Recreation
Committee he claims to have upon the request of any authorized person
who shall desire to inspect the same for the purpose of enforcing
compliance with any ordinance or rule. Failure to produce such permit
may result in penalties as provided herein.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
M.
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person
or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under
the authority of a permit.
N.
Conduct, organize, or schedule any celebration or
occurrence in a public park or recreation area without having first
received a permit to do so from the Mansfield Township Recreation
Committee. The permit required herein shall be in addition to any
other permit required to be obtained by solicitors or vendors under
any other Township ordinance.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
O.
Paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard,
advertisement or inscription whatsoever; nor shall any person erect
or cause to be erected any sign whatsoever on any public lands or
highways or roads adjacent to a park.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
A.
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks
shall be open to the public every day of the year during designated
hours. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall
be posted therein for public information and shall be determined from
time to time by resolution of the Recreation Committee.
B.
Any section or part of any park may be declared closed
to the public by the Recreation Committee at any time and for any
interval of time, either temporarily or at regular stated intervals
(daily or otherwise), and either entirely or merely to certain uses,
as the Recreation Committee shall find reasonably necessary.
A.
Permits for special events in parks shall be obtained
by application to the Recreation Committee in accordance with the
following procedure:
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
(1)
A person seeking the issuance of a permit hereunder
shall file an application with the Recreation Committee prior to its
regularly scheduled monthly meeting, stating:
(a)
The name, address and telephone number of the
applicant.
(b)
The name, address and telephone number of the
person, persons, corporation or association sponsoring the activity,
if any.
(c)
The days and hours for which the permit is desired.
(d)
The park or portion thereof for which such permit
is desired.
(e)
An estimate of the anticipated attendance.
(f)
Description and purpose of the event.
(g)
Any other information which the Recreation Committee
shall find reasonably necessary to reach a fair determination as to
whether a permit should issue hereunder.
(h)
Proof of liability insurance.
(2)
Standards for issuance. The Recreation Committee shall
issue a permit hereunder when it finds that:
(a)
The proposed activity or use of the park will
not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public
enjoyment of the park.
(b)
The proposed activity and use will not unreasonably
interfere or detract from the promotion of the public health, welfare,
safety and recreation.
(c)
The proposed activity or use is not reasonably
anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
(d)
The proposed activity will not entail unusual,
extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the Township.
(e)
The facilities desired have not been reserved
for other use at the day and hour required in the application.
(3)
Appeal. Within 30 days after reviewing an application, the Recreation Committee shall apprise an applicant, in writing, of its reasons for refusing a permit, and any aggrieved person shall have the right to appeal, within five days in writing, to the Township Committee, which shall consider the application under standards set forth in Subsection A(2) hereof and sustain or overrule the Recreation Committee's decision within five days. The decision of the Township Committee shall be final.
B.
A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations
and all applicable ordinances as fully as though the same were inserted
in said permits.
C.
The person or persons to whom a permit is issued shall
be liable for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whatsoever
by reason of the negligence of the person or persons to whom such
permit shall have been issued.
D.
When the Township grants permission for any individual, organization or corporation to utilize a park or municipal recreational facility and reserves a park or other municipal recreational facility for that entity, in addition to all other requirements established by the Township for the use of a park or recreational facility, the fees as set forth in Chapter 182, Fees, of the Code of the Township of Mansfield, shall be paid to the Township for each day of use, unless said fees have been expressly waived as a condition of said permit at the discretion of the Recreation Committee. (See chapter for specific fees.)
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
E.
Revocation. The Recreation Committee shall have the
authority to revoke a permit upon finding a violation of any rule,
ordinance, or condition of the permit, or upon good cause shown.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
A.
The Recreation Committee and park attendants shall,
in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce
the provisions of this article.
B.
The Recreation Committee and any park attendant shall
have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation
of this article.
C.
The Recreation Committee and any park attendant shall
have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing or
device in the park used in violation of this article.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
Whenever entry and use of the recreational facilities (not financed with Green Acres funding) or activities are restricted to Township residents pursuant to this article or the regulations of the Recreation Committee, any person obtaining identification, membership or entry into such facilities (not financed with Green Acres funding) or activities through the use of falsification of a Township address or by another subterfuge shall be in violation of this article and shall be subject to the penalties contained in § 249-7 of this article.
[Amended 10-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
This article shall also be enforced by the Mansfield Township Police Department, and any person convicted of violating the provisions of this article relating to conduct in public parks, or any regulation or rule promulgated hereunder, shall be subject to punishment as provided in § 1-17 of the Code of the Township of Mansfield.
The provisions of Subtitle 1 of Title 39 of
the Revised Statutes of New Jersey are hereby made applicable to municipally
owned parks located in the Township of Mansfield, County of Warren,
State of New Jersey.
A.
Except as set forth above, all parks and recreation
areas and bikeways shall be officially declared closed between the
hours of 30 minutes after sundown and 30 minutes before sunrise, except
for the following: Mansfield Recreational Fields located at Port Murray
Road between the Municipal Building and Mansfield Elementary School.
B.
Recreational fields equipped with lights may be utilized
beyond the official hours of operation for scheduled events and activities.
Speed limits within any park area as posted
by speed limit signs shall be enforced by the Mansfield Township Police
Department under the provisions of Title 39, New Jersey Statutes.
Any vehicle parked or standing so as to obstruct
or impede a normal flow of traffic, block entrances or exit ways,
loading zones, fire hydrants, oil fills or any grass area or pedestrian
walkway or present in any way a safety or traffic hazard may be removed
by the Police Department by having the vehicle towed at the owner's
or operator's expense.
