[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Amwell 10-8-1981 by Ord. No. 81-10. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
These rules and regulations are established
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:61-1 et seq. for the following purposes:
A.
To facilitate maximum use of public facilities by
the general public.
B.
To coordinate the use of park and recreation facilities,
thus assuring maximum opportunity for use through the convenience
of advance reservations.
D.
To coordinate the public use of facilities with maintenance,
construction and other activities.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The house known as "Clawson House," currently situated at
the entrance to the Marion F. Clawson Memorial Park.
[Added 7-12-2018 by Ord. No. 18-16]
The land surrounding Clawson House extending 32 feet from
the furthest front exterior wall of Clawson House, 55 feet from each
side exterior wall of Clawson House, and 100 feet from the furthest
rear exterior wall of Clawson House.
[Added 7-12-2018 by Ord. No. 18-16]
The Township Committee of East Amwell Township.
A park in the township owned and used by the township and
devoted to active or passive recreation.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
The Township of East Amwell.
Any wheeled conveyance, whether motor powered, animal-drawn,
or self-propelled. The term shall include any trailer in tow of any
size, kind or description. Exception is made for baby carriages and
vehicles in the service of the township.
[Amended 11-10-2005 by Ord. No. 05-31; 5-10-2018 by Ord. No. 18-09; 7-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15]
A.
Permit requirements for Marion F. Clawson Memorial Park:
(1)
When there are more than 40 participants at one gathering or to reserve
the pavilion, a permit is required. The applicant seeking issuance
of the permit shall file an application, in writing, with the Municipal
Clerk, stating the name and address of the applicant; name and address
of the person, corporation or association sponsoring the activity,
if any; the day and hours for which the permit is desired; the park
or portion thereof for which the permit is desired; a reasonable estimate
of the anticipated attendance; the type of activity for which the
permit is desired; the anticipated age group of the expected participants;
and any other information reasonably required of the applicant.
(2)
A nonrefundable application fee of $50 is required for all permits
for use of the Marion F.Clawson Memorial Park. If you request a rain
date, an additional nonrefundable fee of $15 is required.
(3)
The applicant is required to complete a hold harmless agreement,
which is part of the application for use of the park.
(4)
All permit holders shall be responsible for insurance of all participants
and making sure that spectators adhere to park rules and for summoning
the police if individuals fail to do so. Unsafe conditions should
be reported to the Municipal Clerk not later than one business day
after its use. The applicant should insure upon conclusion of the
use that the park is left in the same condition in which it was found,
including removal of any equipment and cleanup and proper disposal
of any litter.
(5)
The Township may refuse to issue a permit where the applicant has
violated the conditions of a permit issued on a previous occasion,
and the Township may rescind a permit which has been issued for a
material misrepresentation of fact on the application.
(6)
Persons and/or organizations may reserve a facility, an area of open
space or recreation area for limited specific use on forms available
through the Township; however, such reservation and permission to
use the facility shall be subject to the sole specific use discretion
and continuing jurisdiction of the Township, and subject to the rules
and regulations imposed herein and such other conditions related to
public health, safety and well-being imposed by the Township.
(7)
All permit holders, participants, attendees and groups using the
park shall remove their personal property at the conclusion of the
event, and the Township shall not be responsible for personal property
left unattended.
(8)
Any newspaper items or announcements about use of the parks must
be reviewed by the Township Committee or their designee.
(9)
Appeal process: Within five days following the next regularly scheduled
Township Committee meeting after the receipt of an application, the
Committee shall apprise an applicant, in writing, of its reasons for
refusing a permit, and in the event the decision is by a designated
agency of the Committee or the Clerk, any aggrieved person shall have
the right to appeal to the Township Committee by serving written notice
thereof on the Township Clerk within five days of said refusal. A
copy of said notice shall also be served on the designated agency
within the same time, and said agency shall immediately forward the
application and the reasons for its refusal to the Township Committee,
which shall consider the application under the standards set forth
under this appeal process. The Township Committee has the authority
to sustain or overrule the designated agency's decision within
10 days from the receipt of the appeal by the Township Clerk. The
decision of the Township Committee shall be final.
(10)
Standards for issuance of a use permit shall include the following:
(a)
The proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably
interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the
park.
(b)
The proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere
with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety
and recreation.
(c)
The proposed activity will not entail extraordinary or burdensome
expense on the Township.
(d)
The facilities desired have not been reserved for other use
at the date and hour requested in the application.
(e)
The proposed activity and use will be limited to no more than
250 people.
(g)
If a permit is issued for use of the park, it must be displayed
during the day of the event.
B.
Hours of operation.
(1)
All recreation areas and open spaces are open from one-half hour
after sunrise and closed in the evening one-half hour before sunset.
No person shall enter recreation areas except during its hours of
operation.
(2)
When the gates are shut at Marion F. Clawson Memorial Park, the park
is not open to the public. The Township can temporarily close the
park to the public as necessary, and signs will be posted.
(3)
With permission obtained from the DPW Superintendent and notification
to East Amwell Township Recreation Committee, the municipal ball fields,
exclusive of Clawson Park, will be available for public use for night
games and active recreation practices. Approval of ball field use
is scheduled through the DPW Superintendent and notification to East
Amwell Recreation Committee using the field use forms provided by
the East Amwell Recreation Committee.
(4)
Ball fields at Marion F. Clawson Memorial Park are for passive recreation
use only; no league games will be scheduled.
C.
Rules and regulations. The following rules and regulations apply
to Township park and recreational facilities:
(1)
Persons shall enter or leave the park through established entry-
and exitways.
(2)
All accidents should be reported within 24 hours to the Municipal
Clerk at 908-782-8536.
(3)
East Amwell Township has trash receptacles at its parks for use by
individuals, and persons shall not bring in or dump, deposit, or leave
any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish,
waste, garbage, refuse or other trash. Use proper receptacles when
provided. If receptacles are not provided, all rubbish shall be carried
away from the area by the person responsible for its presence and
properly disposed of elsewhere. When sponsoring a group event, organizers
shall remove their refuse from the park and Township property.
(4)
Proper use of fields/facilities is required. Any damage or alteration
of same, other than from normal use, shall be considered a violation
of these rules and regulations and shall be prosecuted, and violators
will be responsible for reimbursing the Township for repairs of all
damages and related costs.
(5)
The pavilion at Marion F. Clawson Memorial Park is available on a
"first come, first served" basis, unless a permit has been issued.
(6)
Use of the tennis court should be limited to 1 1/2 hours if
there are other players waiting.
(7)
If the grill is used at the Marion F. Clawson Memorial Park, the
person responsible for the fire must stay until it is completely extinguished.
[Amended 9-13-2001 by Ord. No. 01-19;11-10-2005 by Ord. No.
05-31; 7-12-2018 by Ord. No. 18-16; 7-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15]
The following prohibitions apply to Township park and recreational
facilities:
A.
No person shall damage, deface, cut, carve, transplant or remove
any tree or plant or injure the bark, or pick the flowers, fruits,
berries or seeds of any tree or plant or pick anything planted or
growing. No person shall attach any rope, wire or any other contrivance
to any tree or plant, dig or disturb grass areas, or injure or impair
the natural beauty or usefulness of any area. No person shall excavate,
remove, add to or alter in any way any rock, soil, stone or sand.
B.
No person shall mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, or
displace or remove any building, bridge, table, bench, fireplace,
railing, paving or paving material, water line or other public utilities
or parts or appurtenances thereof, sign, notice or placard, whether
temporary or permanent, monument, stake, post or other boundary marker,
or other structure or equipment, facilities or property or appurtenances
whatsoever.
C.
No person shall climb any tree or wall or stand or sit upon monuments,
vases, planters, fountains, railings, fences, or upon any other property
not designated or customarily used for such purposes.
D.
Nothing shall be thrown or discharged in waters or streams to cause
pollution.
E.
No person shall possess, use or consume any alcoholic beverage or
controlled dangerous substance or related paraphernalia, as such items
are defined in the New Jersey Statutes, Alcoholic Beverage Act (N.J.S.A.
33:1-1 et seq.); Controlled Dangerous Substances Act (N.J.S.A. 24:21-1
et seq.), or as these statutes may be amended.
F.
No person using the facilities shall do, perform or engage in or
encourage others to do, perform or engage in any act or activity that
is prohibited by the laws of the State of New Jersey or ordinances
of the Township of East Amwell.
G.
No dogs or domestic animals are allowed to run at large. All such
animals shall be restrained at all times on adequate leashes not greater
than six feet in length. Waste stations are located throughout the
park; however, all persons bringing such animals to the open space
and recreation areas shall have in their possession at all times appropriate
sanitary means, including but not limited to shovels or other implements
and containers or disposal bags, and such person shall immediately
remove and dispose of all feces and droppings deposited by the dog
or other animal. Animals are prohibited in the gazebo, pavilion, the
tennis courts, ball fields, and the children's playground area.
No animals should be tethered to any structure at the park nor to
any tree or shrub, and the animals should be under control of the
person bringing the animal to the park at all times.
H.
No horseback riding shall be permitted, and horses are prohibited.
I.
No person shall bring into, carry or have in his possession, use
or discharge any firearm or weapon, as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1
et seq., or as may be amended. Fireworks are illegal and regulated
under N.J.S.A. 21:2-1 et seq. and N.J.S.A. 21:3-1 et seq.
J.
No person shall use loud, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent
language or engage in any disorderly conduct or behavior tending to
cause a breach of the public peace.
K.
No person shall play any tape player, CD player, musical instrument
or sound device in a manner which would tend to annoy or disturb the
peace and good order of the park or of properties adjacent thereto.
L.
No golfing is allowed.
M.
No hard balls are allowed.
N.
Proper use of fields/facilities is required. Any damage or alteration
of same, other than from normal use, shall be considered a violation
of these rules and regulations and shall be prosecuted as such, in
addition to reimbursing the Township for repairs of all damages and
related costs.
O.
No target practice and no hunting are allowed.
P.
No person shall be allowed to sell or solicit on site. This prohibition
may be waived for nonprofit organizations. No commercial enterprises
or uses are allowed without written consent by the Township Committee.
Q.
No smoking is allowed.
R.
No metal detectors or similar devices are allowed without prior written
consent of the Township Committee.
S.
No person shall enter restricted areas without written consent of
the Township Committee.
T.
No person shall wash an automobile on the site.
U.
No person shall use the Township properties and facilities contrary
to posted or permitted instructions. The police can eject persons
in violation and have the authority to seize or impound any item or
device prohibited under this chapter or used in connection with any
violation of the chapter.
V.
No person shall play games of chance, participate in the conduct
of a lottery, except as to those lotteries which are permitted by
the State of New Jersey, or use or operate any gaming table or instrument
or sell futures or fortunes.
W.
No person shall sell or offer for sale any food, object or merchandise
or any other thing except with written permission of the Township
Committee.
[Amended 11-10-2005 by Ord. No. 05-31; 7-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15]
A.
Parents are responsible for violations of minors at
park and recreational facilities, and no minors under the age of seven
are allowed to use the playground equipment at the park without adult
supervision.
B.
Children under the age of 12 are not permitted at
the Marion F. Clawson Memorial Park without adult supervision.
[Amended 11-10-2005 by Ord. No. 05-31; 7-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15]
The following vehicle rules apply to Township park and recreational
facilities:
A.
No person shall be allowed to ride bicycles without reasonable regard
for the safety of others, and bicycles shall not be ridden on the
playing fields, the tennis court, or in the gazebo and pavilion areas.
B.
No motor vehicles shall stand or park anywhere but in designated
parking areas. No vehicles shall be driven on the turf area except
for Township-authorized vehicles.
C.
No person shall drive a vehicle more than 10 miles per hour in the
designated driving area.
D.
No ATVs, four-wheelers/three-wheelers, skateboards, minibikes, dirt
bikes, snowmobiles, or other such type of vehicles are allowed, except
for Township-authorized vehicles.
E.
No person shall allow any vehicle to remain after closing hours,
except by special permission of the Township Committee.
The penalty for violation of any of the provisions
of this chapter unless otherwise provided by law shall be one or more
of the following: a fine not to exceed $1,000, a term of imprisonment
of not to exceed 90 days, or a period of community service not to
exceed 90 days.
