[Adopted 12-19-1979]
A. 
No person in a public park, public recreation area or public open space area shall:
[Amended 11-19-1990 by Ord. No. 14-1990; 11-5-2007 by Ord. No. 25-2007]
(1) 
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, without the express written authorization of the Township Manager and the Township Council.
[Amended 2-17-2009 by Ord. No. 6-2009]
(2) 
Fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition. No person above the age of five years shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.
(3) 
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 without the express written authorization of the Township Manager and the Township Council.
[Amended 2-17-2009 by Ord. No. 6-2009]
(4) 
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 and with the express written authorization of the Township Manager and the Township Council.
[Amended 2-17-2009 by Ord. No. 6-2009]
(5) 
Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark or pick flowers or the seed of any tree or plant, dig in, or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any other way injure the natural beauty or usefulness of any area, without the express written authorization of the Township Manager and the Township Council.
[Amended 2-17-2009 by Ord. No. 6-2009]
(6) 
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.
(7) 
Tie or hitch an animal to any tree or plant.
(8) 
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or throw objects at any animal, wildlife or bird unless authorized by a motion or resolution of the Township Council or unless permitted pursuant to Article IV, 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. Exception to the foregoing is made in that snakes known to be deadly poisonous or deadly reptiles may be killed on sight.
[Amended 3-5-2013 by Ord. No. 2-2013]
(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 in, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse or other trash.[1] 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 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 167, Littering and Dumping.
(11) 
Drive 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, without the express written authorization of the Township Manager and the Township Council.
[Amended 2-17-2009 by Ord. No. 6-2009]
(12) 
Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area, and such shall be in accordance with posted directions thereat and with the instruction of any attendant who may be present.
(13) 
Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night in established parking areas or elsewhere in the park area.
(14) 
Leave a bicycle in a place other than a bicycle rack when such is provided and there is space available.
(15) 
Ride a bicycle without reasonable regard to the safety of others.
(16) 
Leave a bicycle 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.
(17) 
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 hereinafter adopted; nor shall any person frequent any waters or places customarily designated for the purposes of swimming or bathing, or congregate thereat, when such activities are prohibited by the Township upon a finding that such use of the water would be dangerous or otherwise inadvisable.
(18) 
Frequent any waters or places designated for the purposes of swimming or bathing, or congregate thereat, except between such hours of the day as shall be designated by the Township for such purposes for each individual site.
(19) 
Erect, maintain, use or occupy on or in any beach or bathing area any tent, shelter or structure of any kind unless there shall be an unobstructed view into said tent, shelter or structure from at least two sides; nor shall any guy wire, rope or extension brace or support be connected or fastened from any such structure to any other structure, stake, rock or other object outside thereof.
(20) 
Allow himself to be so covered with a bathing suit so as to indecently expose his person.
(21) 
Dress or undress on any beach or in any vehicle, toilet or other place, except in such bathing houses or structures as may be provided for that purpose.
(22) 
Bring into or operate any boat, raft or other watercraft, whether motor-powered or not, upon any waters, except at places designated for boating. Such activity shall be in accordance with applicable regulations as are now or hereafter may be adopted.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 93, Boats and Boating.
(23) 
Navigate, direct or handle any boat in such a manner as to unjustifiably or unnecessarily annoy or frighten or endanger the occupant of any other boat.
(24) 
Launch, dock or operate any boat of any kind on any water between the closing hour of the park at night and the opening hour of the park the following morning; nor shall any person be on or remain on or in any boat during said closed hours of the park.
(25) 
Fish in any area where bathing is permitted.
(26) 
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.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 150, Hunting and Firearms.
(27) 
Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose.
(28) 
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.
(29) 
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.
(30) 
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.
B. 
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:
(1) 
Bring in alcoholic beverages or drink the same unless a permit is issued by the Department of Police.
(2) 
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 of 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 Township Manager, permits may be given for conducting properly supervised fireworks in designated park areas.
[Amended 11-19-1990 by Ord. No. 14-1990]
(3) 
Appear at any place in other than proper clothing.
(4) 
Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private.
(5) 
Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other flammable material within any park or on any highways, roads or streets abutting or contiguous thereto.
(6) 
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.
(7) 
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 Manager.
[Amended 11-19-1990 by Ord. No. 14-1990]
(8) 
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.
(9) 
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 breach the public peace.
(10) 
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.
(11) 
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 public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, the Township Council by resolution may establish a sign policy, and the same may be amended from time to time.
[Amended 5-7-2007 by Ord. No. 7-2007]
A. 
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year during the designated hours. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall be posted therein for public information.
B. 
Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals, daily or otherwise, and either entirely or merely for certain uses.
[Amended 11-19-1990 by Ord. No. 14-1990]
Permits for special events in parks shall be obtained by application to the Township Council in accordance with following procedure:
A. 
A person seeking issuance of a permit hereunder shall file an application with the Township Council stating:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
The name and address of the person, persons, corporation or association sponsoring the activity, if any.
(3) 
The day and hours for which the permit is desired.
(4) 
The park or portion thereof for which such permit is desired.
(5) 
Any other information which the Township Council shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued hereunder.
B. 
Standards for issuance of a use permit by the Township Council shall include the following findings:
(1) 
That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public's enjoyment of the park.
(2) 
That the proposed activity or use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of the public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
(3) 
That the proposed activities or uses that are reasonably anticipated will not include violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
(4) 
That the proposed activity will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the Township of Byram.
(5) 
That the facilities desired have not been reserved for use at the date and hour requested in the application.
C. 
Appeal. Within five days after receipt of an application, the Township Council 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 of said refusal to the Township Council by serving written notice thereof.
D. 
A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as though the same were inserted in said permits.
E. 
The person or persons to whom the permit is issued shall be liable for all loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whatever by reason of the negligence of the person or persons to whom such permit shall have been issued. The Township Council shall have the right to require any permittee to submit evidence of liability insurance covering injuries to members of the general public arising out of such permitted activities in such amounts as may be from time to time determined by the Township Council prior to the commencement of any activity or issuance of any permit.
F. 
Revocation. The Township Council shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of violation of any rule or ordinance or upon good cause shown.
[Added 6-18-2007 by Ord. No. 15-2007[1]]
A. 
C. O. Johnson Skateboard Park. In addition to the rules and regulations in § 182-4, the following rules and regulations shall apply to the operation of the C. O. Johnson Skateboard Park:
(1) 
No scooters, motorized bikes or bicycles are allowed inside the skateboard park area, BMX-style bikes only.
(2) 
Bikes are not permitted in the skateboard park with skateboarders.
(3) 
The Township does not supervise the skateboard park use and assumes no responsibility.
(4) 
Skate or bike within your own abilities and at your own risk.
(5) 
Helmets are required to be worn in the skateboard park at all times. Failure to do so may result in lost privileges and/or removal from the park. Kneepads and elbow pads are recommended.
(6) 
Shirts and nonskid shoes/sneakers must be worn at all times.
(7) 
Hours of operation are sunrise until dusk. After-hours use or use when closed will result in a trespass citation and the possible seizure of equipment.
(8) 
A parent or guardian must accompany children under the age of 12.
(9) 
The skateboard park will be closed during adverse weather conditions, when the surface is wet or ice-covered.
(10) 
Food and/or beverages, glass bottles or containers are not permitted in the skateboard park area.
(11) 
Gum chewing, smoking, alcohol or drugs are prohibited.
(12) 
No horseplay, fighting or profanity is permitted in the park.
(13) 
No waxing of, nor graffiti or stickers are permitted on Township property or skateboard park equipment.
(14) 
Spectators and animals are not permitted inside the skateboard park.
(15) 
Unauthorized ramps, jumps, or obstacles cannot be used inside or outside the skateboard park area.
(16) 
Littering is prohibited.
B. 
Tennis courts. In addition to the rules and regulations in § 182-4, the following rules and regulations shall apply to the operation of Township tennis courts.
(1) 
Play is limited to one hour for singles and 1 1/2 hours for doubles.
(2) 
Court usage is on a first-come basis. Players waiting for the time period to expire must wait outside the fence.
(3) 
A player awaiting the arrival of an opponent may not hold a court vacant.
(4) 
No one should enter or pass behind players during play.
(5) 
Sneakers or tennis shoes must be worn on the tennis court.
(6) 
Shirts must be worn at all times. Bathing suits are not permitted.
(7) 
Bicycles, roller blades, skateboards and pets are not permitted on the court.
(8) 
No ball playing of any kind other than tennis is permitted on the court.
(9) 
Sitting or leaning on the nets is damaging to the nets and the net straps and is strictly prohibited.
(10) 
Offensive language, loud playing of radios and hitting the balls against the fence are prohibited.
(11) 
Food and/or beverages, glass bottles or containers are not permitted on the court.
(12) 
Gum chewing, smoking, alcohol or drugs are prohibited.
(13) 
Upon completion of play, players shall leave the court area clean of tennis balls, lids and other debris.
(14) 
Hours of operation are sunrise until dusk. After-hours use or use when closed will result in a trespass citation.
(15) 
The tennis courts will be closed during adverse weather conditions, when the surface is wet or ice-covered.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also renumbered former §§ 182-7 through 182-12 as §§ 182-8 through 182-13, respectively.
[Amended 11-19-1990 by Ord. No. 14-1990]
A. 
The Township Manager and park attendants shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this article.
B. 
The Township Manager and any park attendant shall have the authority to eject from the park area any person or persons acting in violation of this article.
C. 
The Township Manager 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.
D. 
This article shall also be enforced by the Police Department of the Township of Byram.
[Amended 11-19-1990 by Ord. No. 14-1990]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article 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 punishable as provided in § 1-15 of Chapter 1, General Provisions.