The following objectives are hereby established to guide and promote the development of a coordinated and balanced open space recreation program for the Township:
A. 
To provide for the recreational needs of a growing and diverse population.
B. 
To reduce maintenance responsibilities.
C. 
To provide flexibility as recreation needs change over periods of time.
D. 
To provide alternative options in response to the individual physical characteristics associated with development projects.
E. 
To prevent duplication or an imbalance of facilities.
F. 
To make facilities accessible to persons with handicapping conditions.
G. 
To provide for various densities, lot sizes, street patterns and aesthetic factors that are suitable to the land and aesthetic factors that will enhance each development.
A. 
Open space areas in residential subdivisions shall be reserved in accordance with the requirements for individual zones listed in Articles XXVI through XXXI and in accordance with the provisions of § 91-139.
B. 
One-half ( 1/2) the total area of any reserved open space must be used for active recreation in accordance with the requirements of Article XX.
C. 
The open space requirement shall be considered to be waived when enforcement of this requirement would prevent the construction of low- and moderate-income housing.
D. 
Dedication of open space to the Township:
(1) 
Prior to final subdivision approval, the applicant shall agree in writing to dedicate all open space areas within a proposed subdivision to the Township, unless the Township specifically declines to accept dedication of such areas pursuant to the recommendation of the approving authority and the approval of the governing body.
(2) 
In the event that the Township declines to accept the dedication of open space within a subdivision, such open space shall be dedicated to a homeowner's association created pursuant to § 91-59 of Article XIII.
A. 
All recreational improvements shall be installed in accordance with a schedule prepared by the Director of Recreation. The schedule shall be reviewed and approved by the approving authority at the time of preliminary approval.
B. 
As a minimum requirement, no less than 50% of all recreation improvements shall be installed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for more than 75% of the total number of approved dwelling units.
[Amended 2-3-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-3]
A. 
In lieu of construction of the active recreation, the developer may elect, with approval by the approving authority, to make a contribution to the Township Recreation Trust Fund according to the following schedule:
(1) 
Two hundred fifty dollars for one unit.
(2) 
Five hundred dollars for two units.
(3) 
Seven hundred fifty dollars for three units.
(4) 
One thousand five hundred dollars per unit for four or more units in a major subdivision.
B. 
In lieu of requiring construction of the active recreation, the approving authority may elect to require the developer to make a contribution to the Township Recreation Trust Fund in an amount not less than the developer's cost of construction of the active recreation, to be supported by adequate cost documentation to be furnished to the approving authority by the developer. In making this election, the approving authority shall take into consideration both the active recreational needs of the Township and the active recreational needs of the development under review.
C. 
The Recreation Trust Fund shall be maintained by the Township specifically for the periodic purchase, lease, acquisition and/or maintenance of active recreation lands and improvements for the use of Township residents. Contributions to the fund by developers shall be paid as follows: one-half ( 1/2) of the required amount at the time of final land use approval, and the balance per unit at the time of each building permit, in addition to regular building permit fees.
D. 
The land in the development under review required to be used for active recreation but for the contribution in lieu of construction of active recreation shall instead be used for passive recreation, unless the Township elects to construct active recreation facilities thereon at Township expense.
A. 
Open space and recreation sites proposed for dedication shall be large, useful and usable parcels, and not small, fragmented and isolated pieces of land. If in the opinion of the approving authority the proposed open space, recreation areas and facilities do not conform to the Township's current programs and policies, that portion of the plan so affected shall be revised by the applicant as directed by the approving authority. Any recreation and open space modifications shall be deemed to be minor plan amendments not having a major impact on the basic housing concept and, therefore, shall not be subject to further public hearings to accomplish such plan changes. As a minimum, any modified and substituted facilities should be equivalent in dollar value, except for the provision of night lighting.
B. 
The recreation and open space area shall not include rights-of-way, easements (except easements across open space), retention and detention ponds, man-made or natural, or floodplains.
C. 
The applicant should try to create open space and recreation parcels not less than one-half ( 1/2) acre in size if possible. Wherever possible, one open space recreation site per development should be provided.
D. 
All proposed recreation areas shall have minimum grades sufficient to permit active recreation facilities. All recreation areas and open space shall have a detailed grading plan submitted at the time of preliminary application.
E. 
The method of preserving such areas for recreation and open space shall be by dedication to the Township or a homeowners association or other means approved by the approving authority.
F. 
In the selection of the location of such open spaces, consideration shall be given to the preservation of natural features. With respect to open areas, and accessways where deemed necessary by the approving authority, such areas shall be covered with approved plantings such as seedlings or permanent ground cover that will eliminate repetitive maintenance such as grass cutting. All stream banks and swales shall be covered with a maintenance-free ground cover and/or suitable engineering improvement, such as riprap, as required by the approving authority. Slopes flatter than 5:1 may be in grass.
G. 
Minimum facilities.
(1) 
The developer shall install as a minimum the following recreation facilities or the equivalent if approved by the approving authority on the land which has been set aside for these purposes:
Number of Dwelling Units
Play- ground
Tennis Courts
Basketball and/or Hockey Courts
Ballfield and/or Soccer and/or Football
  1 to 24
1
25 to 100
1
1
101 to 150
1
1
2
151 to 200
2
2
2
1
201 to 300
2
2
2
1
301 to 350
2
2
3
1
351 to 400
2
3
3
2
(2) 
The mix of facilities shall be determined by the approving authority.
H. 
Each recreation area shall also contain one freestanding shelter building as manufactured by Gametime, #2824 or equivalent.
I. 
The size of the ballfields and baselines and soccer and football fields shall be determined by the approving authority.
J. 
The playgrounds shall be one or more of the models shown in the construction specifications or equivalent as determined by the Planning Board.
K. 
Unless waived by the approving authority, all facilities, except playgrounds, shall be lighted in accordance with the following guidelines:
(1) 
The number and type of existing and lighted facilities in the neighborhood.
(2) 
The proximity to adjacent residential dwellings.
(3) 
The anticipated service level.
(4) 
The need for lighted facilities according to the following list in order of priority:
(a) 
Ballfields.
(b) 
Basketball courts.
(c) 
Tennis courts.
(d) 
Hockey courts.
L. 
Wherever possible, priority shall be given to locating playgrounds in wooded areas and adjacent to local residential streets.
A. 
If required by the approving authority, the playground shall be enclosed with a four-foot-high galvanized chain link fence, 9-gauge, green vinyl-coated, with a thirty-six-inch-wide gate.
B. 
If required by the approving authority, Wollmanized pressure treated railroad ties shall be located completely around the perimeter of the fencing except at the gate opening.
C. 
If required by the approving authority a six-inch deep sand blanket shall be provided for playgrounds located in open areas. Underdrains shall be provided if required by the approving authority engineer. In wooded areas safety surfaces consisting of Goff's infield mix or equivalent may be required around individual pieces of play equipment.
D. 
Playgrounds in open areas shall be provided with no less than eight deciduous shade trees located near benches, tables and recreation equipment. The trees shall have a minimum caliper of two inches and shall be staked and protected with wire mesh to a height of six feet.
E. 
The sidewalk shall be extended to the perimeter of the play equipment safety area and rest area as required by the approving authority.
A. 
All tennis courts shall be regulation size and shall be oriented on a north-south axis. The blacktop and color coating shall be extended one foot beyond the fence line.
B. 
The courts shall be enclosed with a ten-foot-high, 9-gauge green vinyl-coated galvanized chain link fence. The bottom of the fencing shall be a uniform one inch from the court surface at all locations. Line posts are to be a minimum two and one-half (2 1/2) inches outside diameter, terminal posts a minimum three inches outside diameter with brace assembly, and top rail a minimum one and five-eighths ( 1 5/8) inches outside diameter. Posts shall be evenly spaced no further apart than 10 feet on center, and shall provide at least 36 inches setting in concrete. Gate openings shall be not less than seven feet wide with a double door.
C. 
Tennis courts shall be in a true plane and graded side to side with a cross slope of 1%.
D. 
The courts shall be four inches of bituminous stabilized base course on a properly prepared subgrade acceptable to the approving authority Engineer, one and one-half (1 1/2) inches thick FABC-1 leveling course; and a one-inch SP-1 top course coated with a two-colored sealer as approved by the approving authority. The sealer shall be Monsey Decoralt or an equivalent approved by the approving authority engineer. Underdrains and granular subbase may be required as determined by the approving authority engineer.
E. 
The courts shall be lined in accordance with the rules of the United States Lawn Tennis Association. The paint shall be white line paint by Monsey Decoralt or an equivalent approved by the approving authority engineer.
F. 
Tennis court nets shall be nylon, as manufactured by Gametime, No. 329 or an equivalent as approved by the approving authority.
G. 
Tennis posts shall be baked-on enamel with enclosed ratchets and manufactured by Chevron, or an equivalent approved by the approving authority. Posts shall be set in concrete.
H. 
An eight-foot aluminum bench with back support shall be located near each gate entrance and be accessible from the walk. The benches shall face the courts and shall be model No. 881 manufactured by Gametime, or an equivalent approved by the approving authority.
I. 
Signs shall be located on each court identifying the court number, rules and regulations. The sign material, size, color, location, method of fastening, lettering and message content shall be as specified by the approving authority.
J. 
Deciduous trees shall not be planted closer than 20 feet to a tennis court fence. All existing trees shall be trimmed to prevent overhanging branches.
K. 
Lighted tennis courts shall provide a minimum of 14 footcandles maintained average in the court area at grade level, using metal halide lamps. Every two courts shall be on a separate electric control system. Each control system will consist of an astronomical dial time clock; a waterproof push-button surface-mounted station limited to turning the light on only, with provisions for padlocking; and a watertight cast aluminum meter cabinet with manual on/off switch and provision for a key lock. The meter cabinet shall be baked green enamel. Poles shall be Corten steel self-weathering, except that aluminum poles shall be used when the poles are located on the playing surface.
A. 
The dimensions of the paved basketball court area shall be a minimum of 60 feet by 94 feet and larger, 74 feet by 108 feet if the same court is to be used for hockey. Courts shall be oriented on a north-south axis.
B. 
Nine-gauge green vinyl-coated galvanized chain link fence shall be used, subject to all of the specifications of § 91-143B. The fencing shall be located at the edge of the paved area and shall be one inch off the surface.
C. 
The courts shall be four inches of bituminous stabilized base course on a properly prepared subgrade acceptable to the approving authority engineer, and a one-and-one-half-inch thick FABC-1 top course. Courts shall be in a true plane and graded side to side with a cross slope of 1%.
D. 
The basketball courts shall be lined with two-inch-wide painted lines with court dimensions of fifty by eighty-four (50 x 84) feet,as measured from the inside of the court lines. All other line locations shall be in accordance with standard design practice as approved by the approving authority.
E. 
Basketball posts shall be Gametime 460, goals and nets shall be Gametime 423 and the backboard shall be Gametime 853 or equivalent for all items if approved by the approving authority.
F. 
Lighted courts shall be as specified in § 91-143K.
G. 
Signs and tree planting, if required, shall be as specified in § 91-143J.
H. 
A bench for each court shall be included as specified in § 91-143H.
I. 
The dimensions of the paved hockey court area shall be a minimum of 80 feet by 200 feet. Courts shall be oriented on a north-south axis.
J. 
If required by the approving authority, curbing shall be placed around the court perimeter to enable the courts to be used for ice skating; specifications to be determined by the approving authority engineer.
K. 
The court shall be enclosed with a four-foot-high, 9-gauge green vinyl-coated galvanized chain link fence. The bottom of the fence shall meet the court surfacing. The remainder of fencing shall be subject to all of the specifications of § 91-143B.
L. 
The courts shall be four inches of bituminous stabilized base course on a properly prepared subgrade acceptable to the approving authority engineer; and a one-and-one-half-inch-thick FABC-1 top course. The blacktop shall extend one foot beyond the fence line. Courts shall be in a true plane and graded side to side with a cross slope of 1%.
M. 
The courts shall be lined with two-inch wide painted white lines. All line locations shall be in accordance with standard design practice as approved by the approving authority.
N. 
Play equipment shall be as specified by the approving authority.
A. 
All baseball fields shall be designed as specified in the design specifications, except that the approving authority may specify altered dimensions for baseball and softball fields.
B. 
The entire infield shall be skinned within a radius measuring 95 feet from the front center of the pitcher's plate.
C. 
The infield area shall contain infield mix, equal to or better than Best Top as furnished by Jesse Morie and Son, Inc.
D. 
Construction of the infield shall be as follows: The skinned subbase area should be graded to within four inches of finished grade and contoured with a 2% slope from the pitcher's mound to the edge of the outfield grass and to a point six feet beyond the baselines and home plate. Stones should be removed and a soil sterilizer applied. The base should be lightly scarified and infield mix applied uniformly to a depth of six inches and then mat dragged to a smooth level grade. Lastly the skinned area should be moistened with a fine spray to a depth of one and one-half (1 1/2) inches and rolled to a uniform smooth surface.
E. 
The pitcher's plate and home plate shall be supplied by the applicant. The pitcher's plate shall be "SAV-A-PITCH" and the home plate shall be "SAV-A-LEG" as manufactured by Robert Sisco Associates or equivalent as approved by the approving authority.
F. 
The backstop shall be made of 9-gauge chain link fencing with bottom rails. It shall be 12 feet high and 12 feet wide with wings 12 feet high and 10 feet wide on both sides and shall have a slanted eight-foot overhang. Knuckled side line fence, eight feet high and 40 feet long with bottom rails, shall be installed parallel to both wing walls.
G. 
All upright pipes are to be three inches outside diameter. All cross bars and braces are to be one and five-eighths (1 5/8) inches outside diameter. All upright pipes shall be set three feet into a concrete foundation 12 inches in diameter and 42 inches deep. All pipes shall be standard weight Schedule 40. All materials shall be galvanized and all cross bars and bracing shall face away from the playing area.
H. 
The height of the pitcher's mound shall be 10 inches above the infield and shall be composed of 45% clay and 55% fine gravel. The same material mix shall be used in the batter's boxes. A slope of one inch per foot should start six inches in front of the pitcher's plate and extend for six feet.
I. 
All fields shall have a north-south orientation with home plate facing north where possible.
J. 
Outfield distances shall not be less than 300 feet from home plate.
K. 
Off-street parking shall be provided if required by the Township.
L. 
The outfield shall consist of four inches of fertilized topsoil that is graded and hydroseeded to create a smooth playing surface. The seed mixture shall be 60% Kentucky 31 tall fescue, 20% Kentucky bluegrass and 20% fine textured rye grass.
M. 
Two player's benches per field shall be provided as manufactured by Mexico Forge No. 155-115, or equivalent as approved by the Planning Board.
N. 
One portable all-aluminum bleacher shall be provided, as manufactured by Gametime, model No. 2308, with one portability unit No. 2316 or equivalent as approved by the approving authority.
O. 
First priority shall be given to designing separate fields with no overlap. Where overlapping occurs, there shall be not less than 10 feet between the baseball infield area and the soccer-football playing area. The applicant shall provide one pair of removable combination football-soccer goals with nets, sleeves and caps as manufactured by Mexico Forge No. 910-000 and No. 920-080 or equivalent as approved by the approving authority.
P. 
Lighted baseball fields shall provide a minimum of 30 footcandles maintained average for the infield and 20 footcandles maintained average for the outfield. Corten Steel self-weathering or aluminum poles and metal halide lamps shall be used.
All softball, soccer and football fields shall be designed and constructed as specified in § 91-145, except as herein modified:
A. 
The entire infield shall be skinned within a radius measuring 55 feet from the front center of the pitcher's plate.
B. 
There will not be any pitcher's mound.
C. 
Outfield distances shall be 275 feet desired, 225 minimum from home plate.
D. 
The distances between bases will be 60 feet or such other dimension as specified by the approving authority.
E. 
The distance of the backstop from home plate shall be as specified by the approving authority.
F. 
Lighted softball fields shall provide a minimum of 20 footcandles maintained average for the infield and 15 footcandles maintained average for the outfield. Corten Steel self-weathering poles or aluminum poles and metal halide lamps shall be used.
G. 
The standards set forth in § 91-145 shall be followed where applicable.
H. 
Portable bleachers shall be added as specified in § 91-145N.
A. 
All recreation facilities shall be designed with minimum grades to facilitate access by people with handicapping conditions
B. 
Concrete bituminous sidewalks not less than four feet wide shall be constructed to connect recreation facilities with adjacent parking lots and residential sidewalks. Buffer trees and maintenance-free ground cover shall be placed in the open space access areas when the sidewalk is contained in an open space access less than 50 feet wide and is between residential lots. Such sidewalks shall be constructed to the actual playing facility and spectator areas.
C. 
Four-inch-thick concrete pads shall be placed under all benches and picnic tables and extend four feet out on three sides and one foot to the rear to provide a stable area for wheelchairs on all sides, to reduce lawn maintenance and to provide a continuous connection to the walkways. The concrete shall be sealed with epoxy.
D. 
Evergreen buffer plantings shall be provided wherever necessary to create a visual and noise barrier between adjacent residential dwellings.
E. 
Landscaping of recreation sites shall be with maintenance-free ground cover as approved by the approving authority.
F. 
All facilities shall be designed in accordance with barrier-free design regulations.
G. 
The following specific standards shall be followed for designing facilities to meet the needs of handicapped persons:
(1) 
Handicapped parking stalls with ramps shall be provided.
(2) 
Barrier-free routes of travel with no obstructions and minimal grade changes shall be provided.
(3) 
Plantings next to walkways shall be species selected that will not interfere with handicapped travel.
H. 
All routes of travel, pedestrian and vehicular, shall be illuminated wherever use after dark is anticipated. Lighting intensity and design shall be approved by the approving authority engineer.
I. 
The quantity and location of gate openings shall be as determined by the approving authority. Gate handles shall be located 32 inches from the ground and sixteen-inch-high metal kickplates shall be provided across the entire width of gates.
Construction specifications for tot lot designs shall be as follows:
Model A
Gametime
Quantity
Equipment No.
Description
2
8717
Benches
1
8731
Trash receptacle
1
1312
Wheelchair picnic table
1
5722
3-level balance beam
1
280
Vertical tire mate
1
196 or 660
Minibike saddle mate or swinging gate
2
5656
3-place wood swings
3
2656
Seat packages
1
5797
Wood climber
3
2617
Seat packages
1
5655
C module climber
1
6511
Spiral slide
1
1400-000
Tumble gym (Mexico Forge)
1
M-10-EM
Merry-go-round (J.E. Burke)
Model B
Gametime
Quantity
Equipment No.
Description
2
5906
Multilevel platforms
2
5904
Platforms
2
5934
Suspension bridge link
1
5928
8-foot trapeze swing
1
5932
8-foot horizontal ladder
1
5912
10-foot spiral slide
2
5922
Tire swing attachment
1
5357
Arch climber
1
8938
Hi side slide
2
5290
Climbing poles
1
5935
Log roll
1
5921
8-foot, three-inch place swing
3
5945
Access equipment
3
5944
Access equipment
4
5939
Enclosures
1
5938
Enclosures
2
8717
Benches
1
8731
Trash receptacle
2
1312
Wheelchair picnic table
3
2617
Seat packages
1
5722
3-level balance beam
Model C
Gametime
Quantity
Equipment No.
Description
2
8717
Benches
1
8731
Trash receptacle
1
1312
Wheelchair picnic table
1
5781
Large staircase climber
1
5784
Double slide climber
1
M-10-EM
Merry-go-round (J.E. Burke)
2
5656
Wood swings
3
2656
Seat packages
4
2617
Seat packages
1
5682
3-way chin bar
1
5689
Ring climber
1
5741
Climbing pole
1
5710
Horizontal ladder
1
5691
Great wall
1
1400-000
Tumble gym (Mexico Forge)
Model D
Gametime
Quantity
Equipment No.
Description
2
8717
Benches
1
8731
Trash receptacle
1
1312
Wheelchair picnic table
1
5787
Swing bridge climber
1
5308
Platform
1
5302
Platform
1
5366
Log C module
1
5343
3-piece wood swing link
3
2617
Seat packages
4
5391
Enclosures
1
5396
Handhold access
1
5358
Log roll
1
5355
Horizontal ladder
1
5357
Arch
1
5389
Access
1
5325
Spiral slide
1
1400-000
Tumble gym (Mexico Forge)