[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of West Deptford 6-18-1970 as
Section 3:1 of the General Ordinances; amended in its entirety 4-4-1991 by Ord. No. 91-5. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
It shall be unlawful for any person in a public park or recreation
area to:
A.
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace
or remove any buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings,
pavings or paving materials, 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.
B.
Fail to cooperate in maintaining restrooms and washrooms in a neat
and sanitary condition.
C.
Dig or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs or plants
or other wood or materials, or make any excavation by tool, equipment,
blasting or other means or agency.
D.
Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether
permanent or temporary, or run or string any public service utility
into, upon or across such lands, except on special written permit
issued hereunder.
E.
Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure
the bark, or pick flowers or seed of any tree or plant, dig in or
otherwise disturb grassed areas, or in any other way injure the natural
beauty or usefulness of any area.
F.
Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, planters,
fountains, railings, fences or upon any other property not designated
or customarily used for such purposes.
G.
Tie or hitch an animal to any tree or plant.
H.
No person shall hunt, molest, kill, wound, trap, abuse, shoot, pursue,
or throw missiles at, remove, or have in his possession any animals,
reptile, or bird found within a Township park, nor disturb its habitat
within a Township park; or knowingly buy, receive, have in his possession,
sell or give away any such animal, reptile, bird or eggs so taken,
except as may be specifically provided for, and being in accordance
with state/federal fish and game laws.
I.
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 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.
J.
Have brought in or shall dump in, 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 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 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.
K.
Drive or park any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads
or parking areas, or such areas as may on occasion be specifically
designated as temporary areas by the Recreation Foreman.
[Amended 5-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-09]
L.
Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night in established parking
areas or elsewhere in the park areas. No motor vehicle shall be parked
in said park areas from 1/2 hour after sunset until sunrise, except
as otherwise permitted.
M.
Ride a bicycle without reasonable regard to the safety of others.
N.
Leave a bicycle lying on the ground or paving or set against trees,
or in any place or position where a person may trip over or be injured
by it.
O.
Swim, bathe, or wade in any waters or waterways in any park.
P.
Bring into or operate any boat, raft, or other water raft, whether
motor powered or not, upon any waters, except at places designated
for boating by the Township Committee. Such activity shall be in accordance
with applicable regulations as are now or will hereafter be adopted.
Q.
Navigate, direct, or handle any boat in such a manner as to unjustifiably
or unnecessarily annoy or frighten or endanger the occupant or any
other boat.
R.
Shooting into park areas from beyond boundaries is forbidden. No
person shall carry or possess firearms of any description, or air-rifles,
spring-guns, bow 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, except as may be specifically provided
for by the Park and Recreation Director, and being in accordance with
state/federal fish and game laws and local ordinances.
S.
Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose.
Attendants shall have the authority to regulate activities in such
areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum
use of the comfort and convenience of all. Visitors shall comply with
any directions given to achieve this end.
T.
Violate the regulation that use of individual fireplaces together
with tables and benches follows the generally accepted rule of "First
come, First served."
U.
Use any portion of the picnic area 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 time if the facilities are crowded.
V.
Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and
before all trash is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided.
If no such trash receptacles are available, then trash shall be carried
away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of
elsewhere.
W.
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 house-trailer, camp-trailer,
camp-wagon, or the like except in those areas designated by the Recreation
Foreman for those purposes.
X.
Take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or
otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins,
horseshoes, quoits, or model airplanes except in those areas set apart
for such forms of recreation. The playing of rough or comparatively
dangerous games such as football, baseball and lacrosse is prohibited
except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor. Roller-skating
shall be confined to those areas specifically designed for such pastime.
Y.
Ride a horse.
While in 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 in a park,
or possess or be under the influence of any controlled, dangerous
substance of drug.
[Amended 3-5-2009 by Ord.
No. 2009-03]
B.
Have in his possession, or set or otherwise cause to explode or discharge
or burn, any firecrackers, torpedo rockets, or other fireworks, firecrackers,
or explosives or inflammable material, or discharge them or throw
them into any such areas from lands 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. At the discretion
of the Recreation Foreman, permits may be given for conducting properly
supervised fireworks in designated park areas.
[Amended 5-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-09]
C.
Be responsible for the entry of a dog or other domestic animal into
areas clearly marked by signs bearing the words "Domestic Animals
Prohibited 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 six feet in length. Dog owners shall be responsible
for the cleanup of any dog feces voided by their pet.
D.
Solicit contributions for any purpose, whether public or private.
[Amended 5-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-09]
E.
Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas and under such
regulations as may be designated by the Fire Marshall and Recreation
Foreman. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted
matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other inflammable
material within any park or on any highways, roads, or streets abutting
or contiguous thereto.
[Amended 5-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-09]
F.
Enter an area posted as "Closed to the Public," nor shall any person
use, or abet in the use of any area in violation of posted notices.
G.
Gamble, or participate in or abet any game of chance except in such
areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Township
Committee.
H.
Go on the ice on any of the waters except such areas as are designated
as skating fields, and provided a safety signal is displayed.
I.
(Reserved)
[Repealed 5-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-09]
J.
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying
any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a
permit.
K.
Expose or offer for sale any article or thing, nor shall be station
or place any stand, cart, or vehicle for the transportation, sale,
or display of any such article or thing. Exception is here made as
to any regularly licensed concessionaire acting by and under the authority
and regulation of the Township Committee or their designee.
L.
Paste, glue, tack, or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement,
or inscription whatever, nor shall any person erect or cause to be
erected any sign whatever on any park lands or highways or roads in
any park.
A.
Except for scheduled events, activities and/or unusual and unforeseen
emergencies, Township parks and recreational areas shall be open every
day of the year to the public from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. unless
otherwise posted.
[Amended 12-15-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-27; 6-15-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-07]
B.
No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin,
religion, age, sex, or handicap, be excluded from participation in,
be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination
in any park facility, program, or activity.
C.
Discrimination on the basis of residence, including preferential
reservation, membership, or annual permit systems is prohibited except
to the extent that reasonable differences in admission and other fees
may be maintained on the basis of residence in any park.
D.
All requests for facility use will be submitted through the electronic
facility use request system located on the Township's website.
[Added 5-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-09]
[Amended 5-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-09]
A.
The Recreation Foreman and park attendants shall, in connection with
their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of
this chapter.
B.
The Recreation Foreman and any authorized personnel shall have the
authority to eject from the park area any person or persons acting
in violation of this chapter.
C.
The Recreation Foreman and any authorized personnel shall have the
authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing, or device in
the park, or used, in violation of this chapter.
D.
This chapter shall also be enforced by the West Deptford Township
Police Department.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant hereto shall, upon conviction, be subject to the replacement, repair or restoration of any damaged park property and shall be subject to the penalty in § 1-15, Violations and penalties, of the Code of the Township of West Deptford.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The Township Committee may from time to time, with the advice
of the Recreation Advisory Committee, prescribe such additional and
reasonable rules and regulations for the use of the Township parks,
playgrounds and recreation areas as it deems proper. Such additional
rules and regulations shall be adopted by resolution and shall be
posted at prominent places in the subject areas.
[Adopted 7-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-15]
A Township Field, Event and Facility Use Application must be
completed by any group, organization, and/or individual requesting
use of the Township's fields and facilities and/or for any event which
must first be approved by the Township.
Any organization, group and/ or person violating any of the provisions of this Article shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalty in § 1-15, Violations and penalties, of the Code of the Township of West Deptford.
