Township of Medford, NJ Chapter 109 Parks and Playgrounds

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Medford 6-2-1980 by Ord. No. 1980-6. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 109-1 Legislative finding.

The Township Council of the Township of Medford finds that it is in the best interest of the residents of Medford Township to regulate the use of the parks, playgrounds and open space areas owned by the Township and to establish reasonable regulations relating to said use.

§ 109-2 Facilities Use Policy.

[Amended 5-19-1997 by Ord.No. 1997-11; 12-15-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-32; 3-15-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-3; 3-9-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-7]

The Township Council of the Township of Medford has adopted and incorporates by reference herein the Medford Township Department of Recreation Facilities Use Policy as a means to reserve use of Medford's municipal facilities, thereby improving the accessibility and scheduling of facilities and, at the same time, provide for their safe, constructive and prolonged use. All groups, organizations and/or leagues will be required to pay a reasonable fee to use municipal facilities and Board of Education facilities scheduled and maintained by Medford Township. Said fees, rents, rates or other charges shall be kept on file with the Director of Recreation and may be modified as appropriate, subject to review and approval by the Township Council.

§ 109-3 Prohibited acts.

It shall be unlawful and in violation of this chapter for any person, firm, corporation or other entity to perform or permit to be performed any of the following acts within any park, playground or open space of the Township:

A. Mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, displace or remove any building, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, paving or paving material, water lines or other public utilities or parts thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers or other structures or equipment facilities of a park, playground or open space property or parts thereof whatsoever, either real or personal.

B. 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 open space area, or any tributary, stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such waters, any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or is likely to result in pollution of said water.

C. Bring in or dump, 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 or contiguous to any park, playground or open space area, or left anywhere on the grounds thereof, but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided; and where receptacles are not so provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park or open space area by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.

D. Endanger the safety of any person by any conduct or act, including disturbing the peace or committing any assault, battery or fighting.

E. Carry, possess, or consume any narcotics or drugs in any park or open space area. Bring alcoholic beverages without special permit issued by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control or drugs into any park or recreation area or consume drugs at any time; nor shall any person be under the influence of drugs while in a park or recreational area. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, Freedom Park may be used for the consumption of food and alcohol for social purposes, provided that the ABC special permit is obtained, that the distribution and consumption is associated with an event being conducted by a nonprofit, and the Township Council deems that it serves the interests of the community and approves same by motion at a public meeting.

[Amended 6-5-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-4]

F. Prevent any person from using any park, playground or open space area or any of its facilities, or interfere with such use in compliance with this chapter and the rules applicable to said use.

G. Operate, drive or park any automobile except on a street, driveway or parking lot in any park, playground or open space area, or park or leave any such vehicle in any place other than the areas established for public parking. No two-wheeled motor vehicle shall be permitted in any park, playground or open space area except in specific locations provided for said use, if any.

H. Sell, vend, peddle or offer for sale any commodity or article within any park, playground or open space area where such activity is purely for pecuniary profit, other than employees and officials of the Department of Parks and Recreation or persons having prior written permission from the Township.

I. Paste, glue, tack or otherwise post or hang any sign, placard, advertisement or inscription whatsoever in any park, playground or open space area or in any public lands, highways or roads adjacent to said area, except that the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any authorized official of this Township in pursuit of any official duty.

J. Use or cause to be used any loudspeakers, public-address systems or amplifiers without first having obtained written permission from the Township.

K. Hold, possess or use any firearm or weapon in or within 300 feet of any park, playground or open space area.

L. Molest, trap, capture or hunt, remove, injure or kill any animal or disturb its habitat, except in portions of any park or open space area designated as open for fishing.

§ 109-4 Hours of operation; entering closed areas; swimming; motorboats.

[Amended 6-23-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-15]

A. The public parks and recreation areas of the Township of Medford shall operate between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. during the months of May through October and from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the remaining months of the calendar year. In addition, special application may be made to the appropriate Township personnel to extend the hours, said hours to be extended by written permit when deemed appropriate by the municipality.

B. Any person not in the possession of a valid permit issued by the Township on a public park or recreation area before opening time and after closing time shall be deemed in violation of this section.

C. Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, all parks shall be open to the public every day of the year during the hours designated by the Township.

D. In the case of inclement weather, field maintenance or other significant determination by Township personnel, any area may be declared closed to the public by the Township at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise), regardless of whether an individual or organization has obtained a permit to use the same. The Township shall post the main entrance of the park or playground area or the specific field area with notice of the closure as appropriate.

E. No person, corporation, group or entity shall enter upon any portion or area of any park, playground or open space area closed or restricted by the Township, as indicated and directed by posted notice or signs.

F. In addition to any fine which may be imposed in violation of this section, any person, corporation, group or entity found guilty, or, if a minor, adjudicated, of unauthorized use of the Township parks and recreation facility shall be monetarily liable for the damage caused to the facility, including all legal and/or administrative costs to repair all damage.

G. Swimming in any pond, lake, stream or other body of water is prohibited, except for areas designated and posted as approved for swimming.

H. Motorboats or motored canoes are prohibited on any streams, lakes or body of water owned or operated by the Township of Medford.

§ 109-5 Violations and penalties.

[Amended 6-22-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-14]

Any person, firm, corporation or other entity convicted of a violation of this chapter or any section thereof shall be punished by a fine not less than $50 and not to exceed $500 if said conviction constitutes a first offense. For any second or subsequent offense, said person, firm, corporation or other entity shall be sentenced to a fine not less than $500 and not to exceed $1,000 or a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both, in the discretion of the sentencing court.