Ventnor City, NJ Chapter 170 Parks and Playgrounds

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Ventnor City 9-23-1993 by Ord. No. 9319. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 170-1 Purpose.

[Amended 6-6-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-6; 5-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-12]

A. This chapter of the Code of the City of Ventnor is hereby created for the purpose of promoting health and regulating smoking at City-owned facilities. The purpose of this chapter is to protect and promote the public health and welfare of the community, its residents and visitors and to prohibit smoking at various locations within the City of Ventnor.

§ 170-2 Age restriction.

The use of playground facilities, equipment and appurtenances owned and maintained by the City of Ventnor shall be limited to individuals age 11 or younger.

§ 170-3 Hours of use; exceptions.

[Added 4-25-1996 by Ord. No. 9602[1]]

A. The use of any play areas, recreational courts, sports fields and their adjacent grounds, owned or maintained by the City of Ventnor, shall hereafter be restricted to the hours posted by the Ventnor City Recreation Board. Use of facilities during times other than the hours posted shall be deemed to be in violation of this section.

B. Any exception to these restrictions shall be upon permit only, approved and issued by the Ventnor City Recreation Board, and nothing in this chapter shall prohibit those programs operated by the Ventnor City Recreation Board.

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of former § 170-3, Violations and penalties, as § 170-4 (subsequently renumbered as § 170-6).

§ 170-4 Definitions.

[Added 6-6-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-6[1]; amended 5-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-12]

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

BEACH

The sandy area leading to and including the Atlantic Ocean located on the eastern border of the City of Ventnor.

BOARDWALK

Described as the entirety of the wooden boardwalk located in the City of Ventnor, including any exit and entrance ramps thereto.

PARK

Any park owned or controlled by the City of Ventnor.

PERSON

Any individual, partnership or corporation.

PUBLIC PLACE

Any structurally enclosed place of business owned or controlled by the City of Ventnor and includes, but is not limited to, Ventnor City Hall, the Ventnor Public Library, any Ventnor school, the Ventnor Public Works Department, the Ventnor City pump stations and any other building owned by the City of Ventnor that is used by Ventnor employees or is accessible to the public and the entire grounds upon which said buildings sit.

RECREATION AREA

Any area, owned by the City of Ventnor, open to the general public for recreational purposes regardless of whether a fee is charged concerning the same. Recreation area includes, but is not limited to, any public park, marina, pier, dock, boat ramp, tennis court, baseball field, softball field, football field, pickle ball court, recreation field, playground, swimming pool or any other recreation area of any type or nature.

SMOKING

The burning of, inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from, or the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked, or involves the inhaling or exhaling of smoke.

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of former § 170-4, Violations and penalties, as § 170-6.

§ 170-5 Smoking prohibited; discarding of smoke-related refuse; cannabis use.

[Added 6-6-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-6]

A. Smoking shall be prohibited at all beaches, boardwalks, parks, recreation facilities and public places owned by the City of Ventnor located within the geographical boundaries of the City of Ventnor.

[Amended 5-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-12]

B. Discarding of smoke-related refuse shall be prohibited within the Titus Field Recreation Complex.

C. Smoking, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise using cannabis products shall be prohibited at, and on, all beaches, boardwalks, parks, recreation facilities, public buildings and public places owned by the City of Ventnor located within the geographical boundaries of the City of Ventnor.

[Added 6-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-10]

§ 170-6 Violations and penalties.

[Amended 6-6-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-6]

A. Any person who violates this chapter shall be deemed to be contributing to the maintenance of a public nuisance and shall be subject to the penalty provisions specified in this chapter.

B. Any individual violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a maximum fine not to exceed $1,000 or may be sentenced for up to 30 days' community service in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge; however, the number of hours of community service imposed shall not exceed 20 hours per violation. Notwithstanding this section, a person found guilty of smoking on the beach or indoor public place shall be subject to a fine of not less than $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

[Amended 5-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-12; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]

§ 170-7 Enforcement.

[Added 5-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-12]

The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by any member of the Police Department.

§ 170-8 Recreational programs and activities.

[Added 6-14-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-22; amended 2-27-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03; amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]

A. All scheduling for the fields, sports facilities, recreational facilities, and public areas shall be made through the Department of Recreation.

B. Field usage.

(1) All fields shall be closed from December 1 to March 1 (weather permitting) for field maintenance and regeneration.

(2) Field usage is made upon request through the Recreation Board in person. The Board meets the second Tuesday of each month.

(3) Field scheduling shall be made through the Recreation Department. The Board or Recreation Department does not guarantee all teams will receive all field times requested.

(4) All teams, other than Ventnor City recreation programs, shall submit team roster forms, pertinent current insurance covering the City of Ventnor, and copies of coaches, where applicable. Limitation on the number of teams in any given sport is at the discretion of the Recreation Department.

(5) Cleanup charges. If the fields are left in a particularly trashed, dirty condition, the Recreation Department may charge the team(s) responsible a fine not to exceed $500. Failure to pay the cleanup penalty or multiple penalties may result in forfeiture of field times for the remaining season or future seasons.

(6) All fees must be paid prior to field usage.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 170-8B(7), regarding field usage fees, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). See now § 114-2A. Former § 170-8C, Fees, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). See now § 114-2B.

C. Tennis or pickleball.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]

TOURNAMENTS – TENNIS or PICKLEBALL

Any person/organization wishing to hold a tournament on the City of Ventnor property must make an application for use to the Ventnor Recreation Board. Applicants must submit proof of insurance covering the City for time of use. All advertising and distribution will be the responsibility of the applicant. All fees for use of specified property will be prepaid along with security deposits. Security deposit will be returned upon clean inspection of used area. Applicants will be responsible for on-site supervision during time of use.

INSTRUCTORS – TENNIS or PICKLEBALL

Instructors shall present certification/certificate of training for specific area of specialization or prior job experience for instruction. Applicants must carry/apply for insurance covering self and City of Ventnor. *Additional coverage in policy to cover child molestation and abuse. A payment of $300 for instruction permit will be required upon application acceptance and will be paid to the City of Ventnor. Daily rental court fees will apply to all used court times. All court time will be scheduled for appointments through the recreation court office. Tennis Court Five and Pickle Court F will be the only courts used for training. Scheduled training times will run from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. daily. No morning hours are to be used. Approved applicants will be interviewed and approved by the Ventnor City Recreation Board. Approvals will be year to year.