[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023[1]]
The Board of Supervisors herein establishes the New Britain
Township Park and Recreation Board whose responsibilities shall be
to assist the Board of Supervisors with respect to the supervision,
regulation, and maintenance of Township-funded recreation programs
and Township facilities.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Part
1, Use and Enjoyment of Public Parks and Recreational Facilities,
Ord. 73-5-4, 5/9/1973, as amended.
[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023]
Members of the Park and Recreation Board shall be appointed
by the Board of Supervisors. The Township Park and Recreation Board
shall consist of five members who shall each serve for a term of five
years or until their successor is appointed, except that members first
appointed shall be appointed so that no more than two members'
terms shall expire annually. Members shall serve without compensation.
Members must be residents of New Britain Township. Vacancies occurring
other than by the expiration of a term shall be for the unexpired
term and shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.
[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023]
Members of the Park and Recreation Board shall elect a Chairman
and Secretary and select all necessary officers to serve for a period
of one year. The New Britain Township Board of Supervisors may adopt
rules and regulations for the conduct of all business within the jurisdiction
of the Township Park and Recreation Board. The Park and Recreation
Board shall, upon request from the Board of Supervisors, submit an
annual report to the Board of Supervisors of its activities during
the calendar year.
[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023]
The Park and Recreation Board shall not be authorized to spend
any funds in the absence of the approval by the New Britain Board
of Supervisors. The Park and Recreation Board shall be advisory in
nature and shall have no authority to make any decisions with respect
to issues associated with parks and recreation within the Township,
as that responsibility rests solely with the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023]
The Park and Recreation Board shall hold an organizational meeting
in January of each year following the organizational meeting of the
New Britain Township Board of Supervisors. The officers as noted previously
in this Part shall be elected at the organizational meeting. All meetings
of the Park and Recreation Board shall be advertised to the public
in accordance with the provisions of the Sunshine Act. The New Britain
Township Board of Supervisors shall adopt such rules and regulations
necessary for the conduct of the business of the Park and Recreation
Board in order to carry out its purposes.
[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023]
The Park and Recreation Board shall keep minutes of its meetings
and activities and shall, on occasion, as requested, make oral and/or
written reports to the New Britain Township Board of Supervisors from
time to time. At a minimum, the Board shall submit an annual report
to the Board of Supervisors, including an analysis of the adequacy
and effectiveness of community recreation areas, facilities, and leadership.
Minutes, at the minimum, shall include those persons in attendance
at the meeting, motions made by the Park and Recreation Board, as
well as any recommendations. The minutes shall be provided to the
New Britain Township Manager and/or his/her designee.
[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023]
The New Britain Township Board of Supervisors may appoint one
or more members of the Board of Supervisors as a liaison to the Park
and Recreation Board.
[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023]
Neither the Board nor its members shall have authority to enter
into any contracts without the approval of the Board of Supervisors
to the extent same would impose any liability on the Township.
[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023]
If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this Part shall
be held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction,
such decision shall not affect any other section, clause, provision,
or portion of this Part so long as it remains legally enforceable
minus the invalid portion. The Township reserves the right to amend
this Part or any portion thereof from time to time as it shall deem
advisable in the best interests of the promotion of the purposes and
intent of this Part, and the effective administration thereof.
[Ord. No. 2023-02-01, 4/17/2023]
This Part shall become effective five days after enactment.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015[1]]
Except where the content clearly indicates otherwise, the following
terms used shall have the following meanings; in all other cases,
the definition of common usage shall prevail:
All areas and amenities within the park system boundaries
which are available for public use.
Any and all land or facilities owned or leased by the Township
of New Britain and designated or used for park or recreation purposes.
The original written authorization issued by New Britain
Township granting permission for the use of a requested facility.
Any individual, corporation, partnership, association, unincorporated
association, organization, individual, or collective representative(s)
of any group(s).
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Part 2, Rules
and Regulations for Parks and Playgrounds, adopted 12/2/2007 by Ord.
2007-02-01, as amended.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
The park system is open for public use from sunrise to sunset,
unless otherwise posted or authorized by the Township.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
All persons must comply with all rules and regulations established
by the Township of New Britain, whether or not a permit is required
or obtained.
2.
All applications for park use permits shall be made upon the official
forms designated by the Township and shall be accompanied by the required
fees, when applicable. No other form shall be accepted. Applications
are available at the Township office during normal business hours.
3.
Proof of insurance, listing New Britain Township as an additional
insured, should be submitted along with the park use application and
must be submitted prior to issuance of a park use permit by the Township.
All groups and/or organizations applying for a park use permit are
required to carry a minimum aggregate of $2,000,000 and $1,000,000
liability coverage for each occurrence.
4.
Any gathering or group of 15 or more persons shall be required to
obtain a park use permit.
5.
Park use permits issued must be available for inspection by a Township
employee or representative at all times during park occupancy.
6.
The Township will make park use permits available without discrimination
as to race, creed, or gender. Permits will be issued as equitably
as possible, so that all age and interest groups are afforded available
playing time. It is the policy of the New Britain Township Board of
Supervisors and the New Britain Township Park and Recreation Board
to make its fields first available to groups and organizations representing
Township residents, or with the greatest percentage of Township residents,
and in consideration of the varied uses, age groups, and blending
of uses.
7.
Except by special circumstance, facilities will not be reserved for
teams or organizations based outside of the Township and which are
primarily comprised of Township residents. The Township reserves the
right to accept applications only from persons in good standing.
8.
All persons applying for a park use permit on behalf of a club, team,
or organization must submit a roster with the club/team/organization
member's full name, address, telephone number, and age, along with
the proposed schedule of meetings, gatherings, games, tournaments,
and/or practice times with their application.
9.
All persons applying for a park use permit on behalf of a club, team,
or organization must submit a signed verification (on a form provided
by the Township) stating that the club/team/organization is in full
compliance with Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law and that
all of the club/team/organization's employees, volunteers, board members,
directors, agents, and contractors have obtained and will maintain
all the clearances necessary to supervise and interact with children
in compliance with Pennsylvania Law, including, but not limited to:
the Pennsylvania child abuse history clearance, the Pennsylvania State
Police criminal record check, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
criminal background check.
10.
A person applying for a park use permit must be at least 18 years
of age.
11.
Persons to whom park use permits are issued will be held responsible
for the actions and conduct of all those associated with the permit
holder and with the authorized facility use.
12.
Persons in receipt of a park use permit may not prevent other park
system users from making use of available facilities.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
No person shall injure, deface or destroy any notice, sign, rule
or regulation posted within the park system, nor shall any person
post any notices or placards in the park system without first obtaining
written permission from the Township.
2.
Cutting, mutilating, or taking away of trees, shrubs, and/or flowers
or the removal, defacing, damaging, or vandalism of park system property
and structures is prohibited.
3.
No person shall utilize park amenities or fixtures in a manner for
which the said items are not designated or intended.
4.
No person shall remove or relocate any bench, table or other structure
from any Township park.
5.
All water spigots must be turned off when not in use.
6.
The Township Building and Township equipment, including mowers, tractors,
gas pumps, snow fences, etc., shall not be disturbed.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
Vehicles are to be driven and parked only in designated areas. Only
vehicles authorized by the Township shall be permitted on bike/hike
paths or grass areas.
2.
The designated speed limit within the Township park system shall
be 5 mph, unless otherwise posted.
3.
Motorists shall, at all times, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
in a designated crosswalk.
4.
Motorists shall refrain from obstructing traffic on any park system
roadway or parking area.
5.
Horses and all unlicensed motor vehicles are prohibited anywhere
within the park system.
6.
No person shall wash or perform mechanical work on any vehicle within
the park system.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
A nonresident fee of $10 for youth clubs/teams/organizations shall
be required to be submitted with the park use application for each
nonresident child within the club/team/organization that shall be
using the facilities within the park system. Adult clubs/teams/organizations
shall pay fees in accordance with the fee schedule approved by the
New Britain Board of Supervisors. These fees may be changed from time
to time. A club/team/organization's liability is not limited to the
amount of this fee.
2.
The sponsors of any gatherings (not sponsored by the Township) which
require police, maintenance, or other Township personnel and/or equipment
shall be responsible for all associated costs, as determined by the
Township. The Township may require a deposit in accordance with the
fee schedule as approved by the New Britain Township Board of Supervisors
prior to issuing any permits for such gatherings.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
No person shall conduct themselves in any violent, loud, boisterous,
abusive, immoral, or otherwise disorderly fashion tending to create
a breach of peace or disturbing or annoying others while within the
Township park system.
2.
No person shall commit any indecent or immoral act tending to corrupt
the morals or manners of the public while within the Township park
system.
3.
No person shall operate any amplification equipment within the park
system, unless otherwise authorized by the Township in writing.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
Archery equipment may only be used in special areas provided by the
Township for such use.
2.
Trapping, injuring, killing, or otherwise disturbing any birds or
animals in any Township park and the damaging, destroying or removal
of any nest or habitat is strictly prohibited.
3.
The discharge or possession of any rocket, firecracker, or other
fireworks or any explosive substance within the park system is prohibited
unless authorized by a permit.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
The possession, consumption or distribution of any alcoholic
beverages or any controlled substance as defined by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the United States of America within
the park system is prohibited.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
Unless otherwise authorized by a park use permit, open fires are
prohibited within the park system.
2.
Fires are permitted in the Township-owned grill in Pavilion No. 1
or in patron-supplied charcoal/gas grills. (The patron shall be responsible
for cleanup and removal of all ash, charcoal, etc.) No fire shall
be left unattended at any time.
3.
Matches, cigarettes, cigars, and pipe ashes must be completely extinguished
before discarding into appropriate containers.
4.
Smoking is prohibited in all wooded areas and areas specifically
designated by the Township.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
The discarding, dumping, or littering of refuse of any kind is prohibited.
All refuse shall be disposed of in trash containers provided for such
purpose.
2.
Disposal within the park system of any type of trash, refuse or debris
that did not result from park usage is prohibited, whether disposed
of in receptacles or not.
3.
For safety reasons, glass containers are prohibited within the park
system.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
Dogs are permitted within the park system but must be kept on a leash
no longer than eight feet and under control at all times.
2.
Persons with dogs shall be required to immediately clean up and dispose
of all fecal material.
3.
Dogs are restricted from any playing field and areas specifically
designated by the Township.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
No person shall interfere with, use profanity towards, or in
any manner hinder any Township employee, official, or agent who is
performing his/her official duties within the park system.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
The use of bicycles and rollerblades is permitted within the park
system except in areas specifically designated by the Township.
2.
Helmets and appropriate safety equipment are required at all times.
3.
The operation of bicycles or roller blades on any grass area is prohibited.
4.
The jumping of curbs, tables, and/or other objects is prohibited.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
Basketball courts are available for public use on a first-come, first-served
basis.
2.
Court time is limited to basketball activities only.
3.
All wheeled vehicles, including but not limited to bicycles, rollerblades,
skateboards, etc., are strictly prohibited from the basketball courts.
4.
Rubber-sole shoes must be worn at all times on basketball courts.
5.
Trash must be removed from court areas and placed in designated containers.
6.
At peak use times when individuals may be waiting, consideration
shall be given and playing time limited.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
The Township has the right, as deemed necessary, to supersede all
or any of the rules and regulations set forth herein in conjunction
with any Township-sponsored event, maintenance activity, or emergency
situation.
2.
Township-sponsored events shall take precedence over any approved
or nonapproved use of the park system.
3.
The Township has the right to revoke and/or cancel any approved or
nonapproved activity at any time.
[Ord. 2015-09-07, 9/21/2015]
1.
Any person who violates any of the rules and regulations set forth
shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding before any District
Justice, be liable for a fine or penalty not to exceed $300 for each
and every offense. All prosecutions shall be brought in the name of
New Britain Township, and all fines shall be paid to New Britain Township.
2.
The New Britain Township Police Department is hereby authorized to
enforce these rules and regulations.
3.
Violations of any of the rules and regulations herein may result
in the revocation of any permits or approvals granted for the use
of any portion of the Township park system.
4.
Playing fields are to be used only for their intended purpose, and
a permit holder may not transfer, set-over, or permit any other individual
and/or user to make use of the rights and privileges afforded to the
permit holder as a result of the issuance of the park use permit by
the Township. Furthermore, no portable lights shall be utilized with
the park system without the written approval by the Township. There
shall be no installation of equipment or alterations to the existing
playing fields without the specific prior written approval of the
Township for these installations or alterations.
