[Derived from Ch. III, Sec. 3-16, of the 1978 Code]
For the purposes of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the following meanings:
BOROUGH
The Borough of Fort Lee.
PARK
Any park, reservation, playground, recreation center or any other area in the borough owned or used by the borough and devoted to active or passive recreation. All parkland designated and/or operated by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission shall be subject to the provisions hereof, except where inconsistent with statutory legislation.
PERSON
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
VEHICLE
Any wheeled conveyance, whether motor-powered, animal-drawn or self-propelled. The term "vehicle" shall include any trailer in tow of any size, kind or description. Baby carriages and borough vehicles are excluded from this definition.
No person in any park shall:
A. 
Remove, cut, break, deface, defile, ill use or damage, in any manner whatsoever, any building, equipment, fence, plant, shrub, tree, turf, soil, signs or any other thing located on park premises.
B. 
Have in their possession or use or employ firecrackers, torpedoes, fireworks or explosives of any kind or nature whatsoever.
C. 
Sell, expose for sale or give away any food, goods, wares or commercial circulars without written permission from the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
D. 
Expose or post or display any commercial sign, placard or advising device without prior written permission from the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
E. 
Play, engage or take part in any game or sport for money or other valuable thing, nor shall any person wager or play or participate in any game of chance or have possession of any instrument or device for gambling.
F. 
Conduct a public meeting or gathering or an entertainment of any kind, or preach or harangue or conduct or move in a parade or procession without prior written permission of the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
G. 
Solicit for charity or contribution for any purpose without first obtaining a permit in writing from the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
H. 
Loiter in or be present on park premises except during the hours when said premises are open to the public; provided, however, that organized groups may be present during other hours only with the prior written permission of the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
I. 
Dress or undress within the park premises, except at such times or in such places as may be designated by the Department of Recreation. Nudity is prohibited.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
J. 
Roller skate, ride or bicycle, skateboard or coast with sleds, carts or other vehicles, except in areas authorized for such activity, and in such manner as not to interfere with another's enjoyment.
K. 
Knowingly feed birds and animals inhabiting park premises and knowingly permitting domestic animals to be led or let loose in the parks, except as participants in an organized function as sponsored or sanctioned by the Recreation Department or except as set forth below.
[Amended 11-10-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-23]
(1) 
Notwithstanding the foregoing prohibition, and except as otherwise noted below, leashed dogs may be walked within the parks of the Borough of Fort Lee, subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth:
(a) 
Leashed dogs may not be walked within the following parks or portions thereof:
[1] 
Monument Park located at 1589 Palisade Avenue and Community Center Great Lawn located at 1355 Inwood Terrace.
[2] 
Any portion of any park on which is located or which is within 20 feet of playgrounds, pools, water parks, tennis courts, restrooms, field houses, baseball fields, dugouts, bleachers, viewing areas or any designated or improved athletic field.
(b) 
The walking of leashed dogs within permitted parks or portions thereof shall be subject to the following conditions:
[1] 
Leashing and control of dogs. No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog shall suffer or permit it to be in the aforesaid park unless such dog is accompanied by a person who is capable of controlling the dog and who has the dog securely confined and controlled by a leash not greater than six feet in length. Dogs shall be limited to and walked on dedicated walking paths or trails except if such path or trail is used by any other person. In such event, the dog shall be walked within eight feet of such path or trail to the extent practical.
[2] 
Carrying of "pooper scooper." No person in charge of or in control of any dog in the parks shall suffer or permit it to be in the aforesaid park unless such person shall at all times have on his person a proper scoop or container or similar efficient sanitary means to immediately remove any and all feces deposited by the dog, and such person shall be required to immediately remove and dispose of, in a bag or other sanitary manner, all feces thus deposited.
[3] 
All persons in charge or in control of any dog in the aforesaid parks are required to immediately and properly dispose of their dog's waste deposited in the park.
(2) 
Notwithstanding the foregoing prohibition, unleashed dogs are permitted within the following described parks or portions thereof, subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth:
(a) 
The parks or portions thereof in which unleashed dogs may be walked are as follows:
[1] 
Fort Lee Dog Park at William Birch Park located at 519 Stillwell Avenue, or such other park area as designated by the Borough, in the specially designated fenced area.
[2] 
Such additional parks or portions thereof as may be designated by the Borough Council by resolution and for which appropriate notices are duly posted that unleashed dogs are permitted therein.
(b) 
Unleashed dogs within the foregoing parks or portions thereof shall be subject to the following conditions:
[1] 
Dog owners shall be legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by them.
[2] 
All dogs must be properly licensed, inoculated and healthy.
[3] 
All dogs must wear a collar and ID tag at all times.
[4] 
Owners are responsible to clean up after their dogs and to immediately remove any and all feces deposited by their dog(s) and to dispose of all feces thus deposited in a sanitary manner.
[5] 
The Borough may prohibit any dog which it determines is aggressive.
[6] 
Puppies less than four months old are not permitted.
[7] 
Dogs must be accompanied by a person at least 12 years of age or older.
[8] 
Dogs in heat are not permitted.
[9] 
Dogs must be leashed before entering the designated area and must be leashed prior to leaving the designated area.
[10] 
Owners shall adhere to the posted signage as to the designated areas for dogs according to weight.
[11] 
Owners are required to supervise their dogs at all times, and owners are prohibited from leaving their leashed dog unattended at any time and/or tied to any fencing, signpost, pole and/or any other structure located within the park.
(3) 
Enforcement. The provisions of this subsection shall be enforced by the local Board of Health or its designated agent or agents, or by the Police Department or any member thereof, or any such other person designated by the Mayor and Council of the Borough by resolution duly adopted.
(4) 
Violations and penalties. Any person who violates any provisions of this subsection shall be liable to a minimum penalty of $150 and a maximum penalty of $250 for each offense in the discretion of the Municipal Judge. A person who refuses or neglects to pay a fine imposed hereunder and costs incident thereto may be committed to the county jail for a period not exceeding 10 days in the case of a first conviction, and in the case of a conviction for a second, subsequent or continuing violation, for a period not exceeding 30 days in the discretion of the Municipal Judge.
L. 
Operate a motor vehicle on or within park premises without authorization from the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
M. 
Drop, place or throw any paper, refuse or other litter anywhere in or on park premises, except in receptacles provided for the reception of same.
N. 
Erect any tent, stand or structure in any of the parks or occupy any tent, stand or structure for the purpose of camping or selling or give away from any tent, stand or structure or vehicles any food, drink or any other thing without written permission from the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
O. 
Start or maintain a fire or other heating device within the park premises, except as specifically authorized by the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
P. 
Fly a motorized model airplane in or on park premises except in areas designated or as part of a sponsored program of the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
Q. 
Use loud, violent or obscene language while on park premises, or act in a disorderly or lewd manner.
R. 
Polish, wash, service or repair a motor vehicle, bicycle or other conveyance anywhere on park premises, providing that this shall not prohibit the making of emergency repairs.
S. 
Have in one's possession, display, bring or use or be under the influence of intoxicating liquors or controlled dangerous substances. Subject to the rules and regulations of the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, alcoholic beverages may be used under certain circumstances with prior written approval and an issuance of a permit from the Department of Recreation and Chief of the Fort Lee Police Department.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
T. 
Use or play with golf clubs or golf balls on any of the park premises except as part of a sponsored program of the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
U. 
Use glass bottles, containers or other glass objects, including beverage containers. No person shall break or cause to be broken any glass or objects thereof on any park premises.
V. 
Make or cause any loud or offensive noise to be uttered in or upon park premises. Neither shall music be played live or from an electrical device, except from those equipped with individual earphones, without prior written permission from the Department of Recreation.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
W. 
Park any vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area or otherwise as directed by an authorized attendant, or leave any vehicle standing or parked anywhere in a park when such area is officially closed.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
X. 
Swim, bathe, wade, or playing in any waters or fountains in or adjacent to any such land except in compliance with posted regulations and the instructions of authorized recreation attendants.
[Amended 2-23-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-8; 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
Y. 
Carry or possess firearms of any description, bow and arrows or other weapons or trapping device inimical to wildlife or dangerous to human safety.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
A. 
No athletic games, sporting events or other activity may be engaged in, except in such areas, at such times and in such manner as shall be designated by the Department of Recreation under the direction of the governing body.
B. 
Group athletic activities or sporting events, other than those affiliated with the Department of Recreation, must have a valid permit issued by the Department of Recreation under the direction of the governing body.
C. 
Permits shall be obtained from the Superintendent of Recreation or his duly authorized representative for all athletic and sporting events or other group activity.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
A person seeking issuance of a permit hereunder shall file an application with the Superintendent of Recreation or his duly authorized representative. The application should state:
A. 
Name, address and telephone number of applicant.
B. 
Name of organization sponsoring the activity, if applicable.
C. 
Date (dates) and hours permit is requested.
D. 
The park and facility thereof for which permit is requested.
E. 
An estimate of the anticipated attendance, including both players and spectators.
A. 
Fort Lee residents and organizations will have exclusive use of park facilities, except at Linwood Park, where Fort Lee residents and organizations will have priority use.
B. 
The Superintendent of Recreation or his duly authorized representative shall issue a permit when it is determined that:
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
(1) 
The proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park.
(2) 
The proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
(3) 
The proposed activity or use is not reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
(4) 
The proposed activity will not entail unusual, extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the Borough of Fort Lee.
(5) 
The facilities desired have not been reserved for other use at the date and hour required in the application.
The permit holder shall be bound by all rules and regulations fully as though the same were inserted in said permits. Permits are not transferable.
The organization, person or persons to whom a permit is issued shall be liable for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whomsoever by reason of negligence of the person or persons to whom such permit shall have been issued.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
Under the direction of the governing body, the Superintendent of Recreation or his duly authorized representative shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding or violation of any rule or regulation, or upon good cause shown.
[Amended 2-23-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-9; 12-16-2009 by Ord. No. 2010-30; 3-12-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-7]
A. 
All Borough parks, playgrounds and recreation areas shall be open seven days a week.
B. 
All Borough parks, playgrounds and recreation areas, except Van Fleet Park, the Ice Skate Park in the Palisades Interstate Park, and the recreation center at the western end of Stillwell Avenue, shall open each day at 8:00 a.m. and shall close at 7:00 p.m. during Eastern standard time and shall close at 10:00 p.m. during daylight saving time, unless an activity authorized by the Recreation Department of the Borough is in progress. The recreation area at the western end of Stillwell Avenue shall open each day at 8:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m. The Youth Center shall generally be open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center shall generally be open at 9:00 a.m. and shall close at 11:00 p.m. daily. In both the Youth Center and the Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center, the hours of operation shall be subject to specific programming.
C. 
No person or group of persons shall be in any park for any purpose except during the hours set forth herein. This exclusion shall not apply to officials or employees of the Borough in performance of their duties.
D. 
Van Fleet Park.
(1) 
Van Fleet Park shall be opened seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. to persons, groups or organizations that possess a valid permit from the Superintendent of the Recreation Department.
(2) 
Anyone found using Van Fleet Park without a valid permit will be ejected by the Police Department, the Superintendent of the Recreation Department, Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, or any of their agents and will be subject to penalties/punishment as determined by law.
(3) 
No persons, groups or organizations may use Van Fleet Park for any fund-raising or profit-making activities (such as private instruction or group instruction) without express permission by the Superintendent of the Recreation Department.
(4) 
Permission for use of Van Fleet Park cannot be transferred from one individual, group or organization to another individual, group or organization without authorization by the Superintendent of the Recreation Department.
(5) 
Each permitted group will be responsible for securing Van Fleet Park when finished with their activity.
E. 
Ice Skate Park in the Palisades Interstate Park.
(1) 
The Ice Skate Park in the Palisades Interstate Park shall be opened seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. during skating season.
(2) 
No persons, groups or organizations may use the Ice Skate Park for any fund-raising or profit-making activities (such as private instruction or group instruction) without express permission by the Superintendent of the Recreation Department.
(3) 
The Ice Skate Park is an attend- and/or skate-at-your-own-risk facility, and will not be supervised; however, the Borough retains the right to maintain unscheduled surveillance of the facility, in person or by electronic means, at its sole discretion.
(4) 
Skaters age eight and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
(5) 
Safety equipment is strongly encouraged within the confines of the Ice Skate Park: helmets and gloves.
(6) 
Participants must provide their own equipment.
(7) 
The Ice Skate Park may be closed without notice at the discretion of the Borough due to inclement weather or other circumstances.
(8) 
No outside objects, except skating sports equipment, are allowed within the immediate area around the rink/park or in the confines of the skating ice, including bags, knapsacks, etc.
(9) 
All participants must skate in such a manner as to avoid collision with other skaters; unsafe or aggressive ice play/skating, fighting and other aggressive or disruptive behavior will result in ejection from the Ice Skate Park.
(10) 
Littering, glass containers, alcoholic or other beverages, food, gum, pets and smoking are strictly prohibited within the Ice Skate Park.
(11) 
Boom boxes, DVD players, television, radios and personal music devices (iPod, MP3 players, personal CD players, headphones and earphones) are prohibited. Cellular phones may not be operated while the user is skating within the confines of the Ice Skate Park.
(12) 
No organized events or contests of any kind are allowed in the Ice Skate Park unless organized and administered by the Borough.
(13) 
Use of the Ice Skate Park is a privilege, not a right. The Borough expects that all users and spectators will be respectful of others and those in the surrounding area. Profanity, obscene gestures, rowdiness, fighting and intentional damage to the facility will not be tolerated. If an individual skater and/or group of skaters are identified as having not adhered to these rules, that person(s) will be ejected by the Police Department, the Superintendent of the Recreation Department, Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, or any of their agents, will be subject to the loss of privileges to the facility and will be subject to penalties/punishment as determined by law.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, the Mayor and Council may, by resolution, adopt any additional rules and regulations with respect to park facilities, including but not limited to changing opening and closing hours, designating a portion or all of a park as being open or closed for any period or interval of time, designating a portion or all of a park as being for certain use or uses, and the Mayor and Council may, by resolution, waive any of the rules, regulations or other requirements contained herein.
The use of Borough parks by an individual or group of individuals shall be subject to the prior rights of use by the Borough of Fort Lee or its departments while engaged in the conduct of official programs.
A. 
Enforcement. The Superintendent of Recreation or his duly authorized representatives shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of said rules and regulations.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
B. 
Ejectment. The Superintendent of Recreation or his duly authorized representatives shall have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation of these rules and regulations.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
C. 
Seizure of property. The Superintendent of Recreation or his duly authorized representatives shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing or device used in the park in violation of these rules and regulations and must notify the Police Department of such action immediately.
[Amended 5-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-18]
D. 
Violation and penalty. Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment of no more than 90 days, or both, and in addition shall be subject to pay the cost of replacement, repair or restoration of any property damaged by such persons.
A. 
All above surface construction, except where otherwise designated by the Borough Engineer, shall be located on the sidewalk side of the curb, within two feet of the face of the curb or, where no curb exists, where designated by the Borough Engineer.
B. 
Any new installation or extension of existing utility facilities, including electric, telephone and cable television required in connection with any new development or construction within the borough, shall be installed below the surface.
C. 
All subsurface construction shall be at such depth and of such design as to prevent damage from surface loads, and all surface access points shall be maintained at the grade of the surrounding right-of-way area.