[Ord. No. 1011, §§ 1 to 3; amended by Ord. No. 1718, § 1]
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to be in or upon the grounds
of the public parks and playgrounds of the Township between the hours
of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. without written permission of the Superintendent
of Recreation. The Township shall erect appropriate signs indicating
the prohibited hours of use of the public parks and playgrounds. This
section shall not apply to any entertainment sponsored by the Recreation
Department.
(b)
In such cases that parking is permitted in any municipal parking
area within a public park between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00
a.m., individuals are permitted to enter the parking area of the park
for the sole purpose of parking or removing their vehicles.
[Ord. No. 1496, § 1; amended by Ord. No. 1531, § 1; Ord. No. 3379, 12-7-1993, § 1; Ord.
No. 3477, 10-8-1996, § 1; Ord. No. 3758, 5-27-2003, § 1; Ord.
No. 4081, 6-24-2008, § 1]
(a)
All park facilities are for the use of the public.
(b)
Athletic fields and the amphitheater may be reserved and used for
specific periods by all members of the public; provided, however,
that individuals who are residents of the Township, or groups serving
local residents, will be given first priority. All members of the
public shall first secure the necessary permit from the Recreation
Department.
(c)
Play of any kind is prohibited on the following fields without a
permit therefor, issued by the Superintendent of Recreation as aforesaid:
[Amended by Ord. No. 45-2022, 9-20-2022]
(1)
The three soccer fields in Votee Park used by Teaneck Junior Soccer
League and Teaneck Football.
(2)
The ninety-foot field in Votee Park used by Teaneck Junior Soccer
League and Teaneck Football.
(3)
The three baseball fields in Votee Park used by Teaneck Baseball
Organization.
(4)
The four baseball fields in Hawthorne Park used by Southern Little
League.
(5)
The two baseball fields in Phelps Park.
(6)
The soccer field in Terhune Park used by Teaneck Junior Soccer League.
(d)
Facilities such as tennis courts, swimming pools, handball courts
and squash courts are not deemed as parks or park facilities and may
be regulated by Recreation Department regulations.
(e)
No entertainment or exhibition shall be given in any park except
under the direction or supervision or with the approval of the Recreation
Department.
[Ord. No. 1496, § 1; amended by Ord. No. 1877, 5-5-1981, § 1; Ord. No. 3240, 11-14-1989, § 1; Ord.
No. 3297, 5-14-1991, § 1; Ord. No. 3839, 10-5-2004, § 1; Ord.
No. 4043, 10-23-2007, § 1]
(a)
Intoxicating beverages. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is
prohibited.
(b)
Gambling. Betting or gambling in any form is prohibited within the
park areas.
(c)
Defacement of park property. No person shall cut, deface, injure,
remove or disturb any tree, shrub, building, fence, bench or other
structure, appurtenance or park property; or pick, cut or remove any
shrub, bush or flower; or mark or write upon any building, fence,
bench or other kind of structure in the park areas.
(d)
Fires. The making or kindling of any open fire is prohibited, except
in burners provided for that purpose. Open fires are permitted under
the sponsorship of the Recreation or Public Works Department.
(e)
Domestic animals. Except as set forth below, domestic animals shall
not be permitted to be led or let loose in the parks, except as participants
in a dog show or related organized function as sponsored or sanctioned
by the Recreation Department.
[Amended by Ord. No. 8-2013, 4-9-2013; Ord. No. 9-2019, 3-12-2019; Ord. No. 6-2020, 2-26-2020]
(1)
Notwithstanding the foregoing prohibition, and except as otherwise
noted below, leashed dogs may be walked within the parks of the Township
of Teaneck, subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth:
a.
Leashed dogs may not be walked within the following parks or portions
thereof:
1.
Bernard E. Brooks Park, being Lot 28 in Block 5511 (Van Cortlandt
Terrace) as shown on the Tax Map of the Township of Teaneck.
2.
Senator Matthew Feldman Nature Preserve, being Lot 1.01 in Block
1103 (Roemer Avenue), as shown on the Tax Map of the Township of Teaneck.
3.
Those portions of Votee Park devoted to the Sportsplex.
4.
Any portion of any park on which is located playgrounds, pools,
water parks, tennis courts, restrooms, field houses, baseball fields,
dugouts, or any designated or improved athletic field.
b.
The walking of leashed dogs within the foregoing parks or portions
thereof shall be subject to the following conditions:
1.
Leashing and control of dogs. No person owning, keeping or harboring
any dog shall suffer or permit it to be in the aforesaid park unless
such dog is accompanied by a person who is capable of controlling
the dog and who has the dog securely confined and controlled by a
leash not greater than six feet in length.
2.
Carrying of "pooper scooper." No person in charge of or in control
of any dog in the parks shall suffer or permit it to be in the aforesaid
park unless such person shall at all times have on his person a proper
scoop or container or similar efficient sanitary means to immediately
remove any and all feces deposited by the dog, and such person shall
be required to immediately remove and dispose of, in a sanitary manner,
all feces thus deposited.
3.
All persons in charge or in control of any dog in the aforesaid
parks are required to immediately and properly dispose of their dog's
waste deposited in the park.
(2)
Notwithstanding the foregoing prohibition, unleashed dogs are permitted
within the following described parks or portions thereof, subject
to the conditions hereinafter set forth:
a.
The parks or portions thereof in which unleashed dogs may be walked
are as follows:
1.
Phelps Park, being Lot 22 in Block 511 as shown on the Tax Map
of the Township of Teaneck, located between River Road and Wilson
Avenue, in the specially designated fenced area.
2.
Such additional parks or portions thereof as may be designated
by the Township Council by resolution and for which appropriate notices
are duly posted that unleashed dogs are permitted therein.
b.
Unleashed dogs within the foregoing parks or portions thereof shall
be subject to the following conditions:
1.
Dog owners shall be legally responsible for their dogs and any
injuries caused by them.
2.
All dogs must be properly licensed, inoculated and healthy.
3.
All dogs must wear a collar and ID tag at all times.
4.
Owners are responsible to clean up after their dogs and to immediately
remove any and all feces deposited by their dog(s) and to dispose
of all feces thus deposited in a sanitary manner.
5.
The Township may prohibit any dog which it determines is aggressive.
6.
Puppies less than four months old are not permitted.
7.
Dogs must be accompanied by a person at least 12 years of age
or older.
8.
Dogs in heat are not permitted.
9.
Dogs must be leashed before entering the designated area and
must be leashed prior to leaving the designated area.
10.
Owners shall adhere to the posted signage as to the designated
areas for dogs according to weight.
11.
Owners are required to supervise their dogs at all times, and
owners are prohibited from leaving their leashed dog unattended at
any time and/or tied to any fencing, signpost, pole and/or any other
structure located within the park.
(f)
Vending. No person shall sell or offer for sale any article without
obtaining a special permit from the Recreation Department or the Township
Clerk.
(g)
Signs and circulars. No person shall post, paste or affix any placard,
notice or sign within the parks, unless approved by the Recreation
Department.
(h)
Profane language. The use of abusive, obscene or profane language
or any disorderly conduct disturbing to others is prohibited.
(i)
Bicycles, minibikes, and snowmobiles. Bicycle riding is prohibited
in the parks except in those areas designated for this purpose by
the Recreation Department. Bicycles may be walked through the parks
and placed in the bicycle racks provided. The operation of minibikes
and snowmobiles is prohibited in the parks.
(j)
Playgrounds. All persons must adhere to the rules of the Recreation
Department concerning the playground equipment and all other park
facilities.
(k)
Tennis courts.
(1)
The tennis courts are provided for the recreational use of residents,
and the regulations of the Recreation Department must be observed
by those using the courts.
(2)
No person shall charge a fee for tennis lessons or similar instruction,
and the use of public park facilities by individuals who charge for
their services while using these facilities is prohibited, unless
approved by the Recreation Department.
(l)
Use of areas. No person shall engage in playing baseball (using a
hard or softball), soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, bocci
ball, golf or in any other activity that utilizes sports equipment
(i.e., balls, bats, clubs, nets, frisbees, etc.) in any park area
not specifically designated for or by its physical layout obviously
designed for such use, unless the activity is sponsored by or is under
the supervision of the Recreation Department or a separate permit
is issued by the Recreation Department to allow use of the nondesignated
or nondesigned areas.
(m)
Loud noises. Unless under the sponsorship or cosponsorship of the
Township or any of its departments, no person shall cause, suffer,
allow or permit the following acts:
(1)
Sound reproduction systems and electrified musical instruments. Operating,
playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television,
phonograph, musical instrument or similar device that reproduces or
amplifies sound in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance
to any person on adjoining residential property between the hours
of 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. on the following day, and further provided
that in no event shall the use of sound reproduction systems and/or
electrified musical instruments exceed three consecutive hours for
any event.
(2)
Loudspeakers and public address systems. Using or operating any loudspeaker,
public address system or similar device in such a manner as to create
a noise disturbance to any person on adjoining residential property
between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. on the following day,
and further provided that in no event shall the use of loudspeakers
and/or public address systems exceed three consecutive hours for any
event.
(n)
Votee Park Sportsplex. In addition to the rules and regulations contained
in this chapter respecting the use of parks and recreational facilities,
the following rules and regulations shall govern the use of the Votee
Park Sportsplex, including the artificial turf fields, and in the
event of a conflict between such rules and regulations, the more restrictive
rule or regulation shall apply:
[Added by Ord. No. 20-2014, 6-24-2014]
(1)
Use of fields shall be by permit only.
(2)
No dogs or pets are allowed.
(3)
Only authorized players, coaches, athletic trainers, game officials
and emergency personnel are permitted on fields.
(4)
Only approved shoes are permitted on fields (metal cleats are prohibited).
(5)
No food, beverages (except water), sports drinks, gum, seeds or nuts
are permitted on fields.
(6)
No glass bottles or containers are permitted on fields.
(7)
No chalk or field paint is permitted on fields.
(8)
No carts, canopies, umbrellas or spiked objects are permitted on
fields.
(9)
No golf playing is permitted on fields.
(10)
No motorized vehicles or bicycles are permitted on fields.
(11)
No tobacco products, smoking or open flames are permitted on
fields.
(12)
No picking or pulling grass fibers or infill materials is permitted
on or from fields.
(o)
Permitted use by minors. Minor children of sufficient maturity are
permitted in Teaneck's parks and playgrounds and may participate
independently in activities that a reasonable and prudent adult would
consider safe given the child's maturity, condition, and abilities,
including but not limited to the following activities:
[Added by Ord. No. 58-2022, 12-13-2022]
[Ord. No. 1496, § 1; amended by Ord. No. 3379, 12-7-1993, § 2]
(a)
The use of parks and recreational facilities for organized events,
including organized athletic competitions, organized picnics and organized
gatherings, shall be by permit only, as issued by the Superintendent
of Recreation. A person seeking a permit hereunder shall file an application
with the Superintendent of Recreation stating the following:
(1)
The name and address of the applicant.
(2)
The name and address of the person or organization sponsoring the
activities.
(3)
The day and hours for which the permit is desired.
(4)
The park or portion thereof for which such permit is desired.
(5)
An estimate of the anticipated attendance.
(6)
The nature of the activity for which the permit is sought.
(b)
Township staff, when considering requests for permits for fields/events
will use following priority ranking to manage potential conflicts
before issuing a permit:
[Added by Ord. No. 45-2022, 9-20-2022[1]]
(1)
Recreation and Township activities.
(2)
Township-recognized sports organizations (100% Teaneck residents).
(3)
Teaneck Board of Education.
(4)
Club teams/sports organizations (80% Teaneck residents).
(5)
Community-based groups/organizations, intratown located in Teaneck.
(6)
Non-Teaneck league/team/camp or individual resident.
(c)
Council-sponsored sports organizations using the park facilities
shall have their schedule permanently entered into the field schedule
software.
[Added by Ord. No. 45-2022, 9-20-2022]
(1)
Once each organization has closed its registration for the current
year, such organization will inform the Recreation Department if any
additional fields are needed or if field permits can be given back.
(d)
Standards. The Superintendent of Recreation shall approve the application
for a park use permit if, in the exercise of a reasonable discretion,
it is determined that:
(1)
The proposed activity is for a public purpose or in the interests
of the community.
(2)
The proposed activity or use will not adversely affect the use and
enjoyment of surrounding residential properties, will not create undue
vehicular or pedestrian congestion, will not damage or destroy playing
fields and will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the
use and enjoyment of the park by the general public.
(3)
The proposed activity or use is not illegal or would not be detrimental
to public health, welfare, safety or recreation.
(4)
The proposed activity would not unduly burden the police or other
municipal agencies or services.
(5)
The facilities have not been previously reserved or a permit issued
at the same time and location.
(e)
Appeal of denial of permit. Any person aggrieved by the denial of
a permit may appeal to the Township Manager, who shall conduct a factual
investigation of circumstances surrounding the denial and issue his
determination within a reasonable period of time before the date of
the event being appealed. In the event of a denial, the reasons for
refusing a permit shall be set forth.
(f)
Suspension of permit. The Superintendent of Recreation shall have
the authority to suspend or revoke a permit upon the finding of violation
of any park rule or regulation or Township ordinance, upon good cause
shown. In the event of a suspension or revocation, the reasons shall
be set forth in writing, and any aggrieved person or organization
shall have the right to appeal to the Township Manager.
[Ord. No. 1496, § 1]
(a)
The Superintendent of Recreation and recreation attendants, police
officers, playground directors, park guards, park superintendent and
park foremen shall diligently enforce the provisions of this chapter
in connection with their duties imposed by law.
[Ord. No. 1496, § 2]
Any section or provision of this chapter which shall be declared
to be in conflict with any federal or state law, rule or regulation
shall be deemed to be modified to be in agreement and accordance with
such federal and state law, rule or regulation.
[Added by Ord. No. 28-2019, 9-10-2019]
(a)
In addition to the flag of the United States, the Township of Teaneck
may display such additional flags on Township-owned flagpoles on public
buildings and in public parks and playgrounds as the Township Council
may authorize by resolution as a form of government speech, provided
the display of same shall not show religious preference.
(b)
The flag of the United States shall be displayed highest and any such additional flags shall be flown below the flag of the United States. The flag of the United States shall be displayed in accordance with and in the manner prescribed in Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 1 to 10).
(c)
The Township's flagpoles are not intended to serve as a forum for
free expression by the public. Rather, the Township's flagpoles are
to be used exclusively by the Township, where the Council may display
a commemorative flag as a form of government expression. The Township
will not display a commemorative flag based on a request from a third
party, nor will the Township use its flagpoles to sponsor the expression
of a third party.
(d)
No person shall display or place upon any flagpole owned by the Township
of Teaneck any flag or other object not otherwise authorized as an
expression of government speech by the Township Council of the Township
of Teaneck and without the express written permission of the Township
of Teaneck.
(e)
Owing to their very nature as expressive locations meant for contemplation
and reflection, monuments and memorials such as the Enslaved African
American and Native American Burial Ground, Township War Memorial
and other similar structures donated as a remembrance shall not be
deemed locations for flying expressive flags via resolution.
(f)
In addition to the flag of the United States and such other flags
as may be authorized by resolution of the Township Council, the following
flags are hereby permitted to be displayed upon flagpoles owned by
the Township of Teaneck as a form of expression of government speech,
in the manner set forth above:
(g)
Nothing contained herein is intended to abridge the right of the
citizens of the Township of Teaneck to petition or request the Township
Council to authorize an expression of government speech.
