Township of Bernards, NJ SECTION 2-28 Parks and Recreation

§ 2-28.1 Director of Parks and Recreation.

[Ord. #1155; Ord. #1291, 1-27-1998, amended]

a. Position. There is hereby created the position of Director of Parks and Recreation (hereafter "Director") who shall be appointed by the Township Committee upon the recommendation of the Township Administrator and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Township Committee.

b. Duties. The Director shall:

1. Administer all aspects of the recreation function, according to the Township budget, personnel and recreation policies and contracts or agreements.

2. Enforce the rules and regulations, as adopted, governing use of the parks and recreational facilities.

3. Report to the Township Administrator in all duties.

4. Serve as administrative staff to the Pool Commission, according to ordinance.

5. Recommend for appointment and supervise all recreation program staff.

6. Coordinate, or delegate to subordinates, all volunteer or community group efforts to provide recreational programming as they relate to Township facilities or calendar.

7. Serve as administrative staff to the Golf Advisory Committee.

§ 2-28.2 Recreation, Parks and Pathways Advisory Committee.

[Ord. #1155; Ord. #1291, 1-27-1998, amended; Ord. #1619, 2-11-2003, amended; Ord. #1726, 6-15-2004, amended; Ord. #1843, 1-24-2006, amended]

a. Creation. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:63-7d, there is hereby created a Recreation, Parks and Pathways Advisory Committee.

§ 2-28.2.1 Definitions.

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

PUBLIC PARK(S), hereinafter called "Park(s)"

a. An area(s) primarily intended to provide outdoor active recreational facilities, although the area(s) may include indoor facilities for athletics and specialized use or programming. The recreation areas typically have unique, active recreation facilities which attract users, for example playgrounds, softball fields, mulitpurpose athletic fields, roller hockey courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, fitness clusters, disc golf courses, ice skating areas, ponds, public pools and golf courses.

b. An area(s) used for special public purpose or that meets a specific public need. Often devoted to single purpose recreational, horticultural, historic or cultural activities, special use areas include amphitheaters, gazebos, community centers, abroteta, sites of historic, cultural, scenic or archaeological signficance.

c. An area(s) in which the primary purpose is conservation and the protection of the natural environment. Often includes water-related natural resources, mature woodlands, noteworthy plant or wildlife habitats, geological features and/or scenic landscapes. These areas are nonintensive in use and used for hiking, fishing, nature interpretation and limited picnicing.

d. An area(s) designated as open space. These landholdings may either be a portion of a future park, an opportunity acquisition or a gift for which the primary intended function has not been established.

PATHWAY(S)

[Ord. #1726, 6-15-2004, added]

a. A linear open space established along either a natural corridor such as a riverfront, stream valley or ridge line, or over land along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a canal, a scenic road or other route.

b. An area(s) that is elongated, typically continuous strips of land or water under public control. These linear parks serve both conservation and recreational needs whenever possible, and are planned to connect other park sites and activity centers and to expose users to interesting views and unique natural features. Linear parks often occupy natural corridors such as streams, ridgelines and woodlands, or man-made corridors such as railroad and utility rights-of-way and low-volume roads.

c. Any natural or landscaped course for pedestrian or bicycle passage.

d. An open space connector linking parks, natural reserves, cultural features or historic sites with each other and with populated areas.

e. Locally, certain strip or linear parks designated as a parkway or greenbelt (collectively, "pathway purposes").

§ 2-28.2.2 Structure and Authority.

[Ord. #1726, 6-15-2004, added; Ord. #1843; 1-24-2006, amended]

a. The Recreation, Parks and Pathways Advisory Committee is organized as an advisory committee of the Township Committee.

b. The Township Committee shall receive and consider recommendations of this Advisory Committee regarding personnel, policy establishment and/or policy changes, as well as capital acquisitions and improvements.

c. The Director of Parks and Recreation will serve as staff to the Recreation, Parks and Pathways Advisory Committee and will oversee the personnel and control maintenance and day-to-day operations of the parks and pathways functions.

d. The Director of Parks and Recreation shall receive and consider recommendations of this Advisory Committee regarding ongoing, day-to-day operations, but shall not be bound by any comment or recommendations of the Advisory Committee in the performance of these prescribed duties.

§ 2-28.2.3 Appointment; Membership Term.

[Ord. #1726, 6-15-2004, added]

a. This Committee shall consist of nine regular members, and two alternate members, all appointed by the Township Committee. Members shall represent a cross section of the community in terms of age, neighborhood and recreational interest.

b. The Township Committee will appoint one of its members as nonvoting liaison to this Committee, who will serve in addition to the nine members. Others may be appointed to the advisory group for subcommittee and special project work, but only the nine will vote on recommendations being provided under the duties of the Committee.

c. Members shall serve in one-year terms to expire December 31 of each year.

d. The Committee will annually select one of its members to serve as the Chair for the year.

e. An alternate member may participate in discussions of all proceedings, but may vote only in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. No vote may be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member.

§ 2-28.2.4 Duties.

[Ord. #1726, 6-15-2004, added; Ord. #1843, 1-24-2006, amended]

a. Duties. The following represent the duties of the Recreation, Parks and Pathways Advisory Committee:

1. Receive from the Parks and Recreation Director the proposed annual budgets for operational and capital improvments and provide comment to the Township Committee on the priorities, facility improvements and maintenance, fees and participation levels anticipated in the budget.

2. Review all park and pathways-related initiatives and offer comment on the balance between age and interest groups, active and passive park activities, design, other park-related issues and supported recreation, for voluntary recreation organizations in calendar and facility use.

3. Be a catalyst for volunteer help with Township-sponsored and supported recreation, park, pathways and open space programs both by active participation and by enlisting others to serve.

4. Make recommendations to the Director of Parks and Recreation for park facilities or development of existing or new lands, pathways or facilities.

5. Make recommendations to the Director for programs and services.

6. Monitor the operational budgets for grounds maintenance and recreation and, through monthly reports from the Director of Parks and Recreation, offer comments on variances from the approved budget plan or reallocations of unused funds.

7. Promote the Township's recreation, parks, pathways and open space programs throughout the community.

8. Prepare and submit to the Township Committee a parks and pathways plan consisting of recommendations concerning the nature of the interests in such real estate to be acquired, dedicated, preserved or maintained, and the pathways purposes for which such land should be utilized. Evaluate, prioritize and assist in developing parks and pathways properties through the development of appropriate criteria.

9. Provide guidance and support to the Township Committee and Planning Board on issues and matters designed to effectuate parks and pathways purposes.

10. Make recommendations to the Township Committee and Planning Board concerning the design and implementation of a parks and pathways system to enhance and expand opportunities for parks and pathways purposes.

11. Periodically review its functions and submit a recommendation to the Township Committee as to whether additional duties should be assigned or delegated to the Committee.

12. Accept such other duties as the Township Committee may assign to it from time to time.

§ 2-28.3 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former Subsection 2-28.3, Golf Utility, was redesignated as Subsection 2-28.4 pursuant to Ord. #1291, 1-27-1998. Former Subsection 2-28.3, Recreation Advisory Committee, was repealed by Ord. #1843, 1-24-2006.

§ 2-28.4 Golf Utility.

[Ord. #1209; Ord. #1291, 1-27-1998, amended]

Within the Department of Parks and Recreation, there shall be a Golf Utility.

a. The responsibilities of the Golf Utility shall include, but shall not be limited to:

1. The establishment and collection of revenue for golf course membership.

2. The recommendation and management of appropriations to effectively operate the golf utility in accordance with Township Committee policy and statutory requirements of the State of New Jersey.

3. To coordinate the activities and efforts of the Township of Bernards with the Department of Veterans Affairs in conjunction with the operation of the golf utility.

b. A membership fee shall be collected by the Department of Parks and Recreation Golf Utility. The membership fee shall be established by resolution.

c. Guest greens fees shall be collected by the Department of Parks and Recreation Golf Utility. The guest greens fees shall be established by resolution.

§ 2-28.5 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor’s Note: Former Subsection 2-28.5, Grounds, added 6-23-1998 by Ord. #1314, was repealed 12-9-2008 by Ord. #2043, § 2. For current provisions, see Section 2-11, Department of Public Works.