[Adopted 7-14-1960 by Ord. No. 8-60]
A. 
No person in a public park or recreation area shall:
(1) 
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, paving or paving material, waterlines or other public utilities, or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.
(2) 
Fail to cooperate in maintaining restrooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition. No person over the age of six years shall use the restrooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.
(3) 
Dig or remove any beach sand, whether submerged or not, or any soil, rock, stones, trees, shrubs or plants, downtimber or other wood or materials or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.
(4) 
Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary in character, or run or string any public service utility into, upon or across such lands, except on special written permit issued hereunder.
(5) 
Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark or pick the flowers or seeds of any tree or plant. nor shall any person attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant A person shall not dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.
(6) 
Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railings or fences or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.
(7) 
Tie or hitch an animal to any tree or plant.
(8) 
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird, nor shall he remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird, nor shall he collect, remove, have in his possession, give away, sell or offer to sell or buy or offer to buy, or accept as a gift any specimen, alive or dead, of any of the group of tree snails. Exception to the foregoing is made in that snakes known to be deadly poisonous, such as rattlesnakes, moccasins, coral snakes or other deadly reptiles, may be killed on sight.
(9) 
Throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, bay or other body of water in or adjacent to any park, or any tributary, stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such water, any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said waters.
(10) 
Have brought in or shall 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 or left anywhere on the grounds thereof but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided; where receptacles are not so provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.
(11) 
Drive any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads or parking areas or such other areas as may, on occasion, be specifically designated as temporary parking areas by the Board of Recreation Commissioners. No park road, parking area or temporary parking area shall be utilized for the purpose of conducting commercial driver school instruction, including but not limited to practice driving, in the operation and driving of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
[Amended 2-26-1970 by Ord. No. 2-70]
(12) 
Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area or operate a vehicle contrary to clearly marked instructions where the same are designed to protect the public safety and welfare of those using the recreation area. Parking areas, one-way streets or other traffic control regulations shall be clearly identified with signs in appropriate locations.[1]
[Amended 11-13-1975 by Ord. No. 26-75]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 267, Vehicles and Traffic.
(13) 
Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night in established parking areas or elsewhere in park areas. All public parks and recreation areas shall be officially declared closed between the hours of 30 minutes after sundown and 30 minutes before sunrise. All reference to nighttime, after hours, dark, before opening, after closing, etc., shall refer to the closing hours of those public parks and recreation areas as described in this subsection. Permission to use the public parks and recreation areas after designated closing hours may be granted at the discretion of the Board of Recreation Commissioners upon specific request.
[Amended 12-26-1968 by Ord. No. 20-68]
(14) 
Ride a bicycle on other than a paved vehicular road or path designated for that purpose. A bicyclist shall be permitted to wheel or push a bicycle by hand over any grassy area of wooded trail or on any paved area reserved for pedestrian use.
(15) 
Ride a bicycle other than on the right-hand side of the road paving as close as conditions permit, and bicycles shall be kept in single file when two or more are operating as a group. Bicyclists shall at all times operate their machines with reasonable regard for the safety of others, signal all turns, pass to the right of any vehicle they are overtaking and pass to the right of any vehicles they may be meeting.
(16) 
Ride any other person on a bicycle.
(17) 
Leave a bicycle in a place other than a bicycle rack, when such is provided and there is a space available.
(18) 
Leave a bicycle lying on the ground or paving or set against trees or in any place or position where other persons may trip over or be injured by it.
(19) 
Ride a bicycle on any road or bicycle path between 15 minutes after sunset or 15 minutes before sunrise.
B. 
In areas of parks and public lands designated as recreation areas, no person shall:
(1) 
Be permitted to utilize more than one fishing rod, fishing pole or hand-held line per person at any one time in those areas in which fishing is permitted by the Board of Recreation Commissioners, or to swim, bathe or wade in any waters or waterways in or adjacent to any park, except in such waters and at such places as are provided therefor and in compliance with such regulations as are herein set forth or may be hereafter adopted. Nor shall any person frequent any waters or places customarily designated for the purpose of swimming or bathing or congregate thereat when such activity is prohibited by the Board of Recreation Commissioners upon a finding that such use of the water would be dangerous or otherwise inadvisable.
[Amended 9-13-1979 by Ord. No. 22-79]
(2) 
Frequent any waters or places designated for the purpose of swimming or bathing or congregate thereat, except between such hours of the day as shall be designated by the Board of Recreation Commissioners for such purposes for each individual area. No person shall swim or wade in any waters in or adjacent to any public parks or recreation areas, except those areas specifically designated for such purposes.
[Amended 12-26-1968 by Ord. No. 20-68]
(3) 
Erect, maintain, use or occupy, on or in any beach or bathing area, any tent, shelter or structure of any kind unless there shall be an unobstructed view into said tent, shelter or structure from at least two sides, nor shall any guy wire, rope or extension or exterior brace or support be connected or fastened from any such structure to any other structure, stake, rock or other object outside thereof.
(4) 
Allow himself to be so covered with a bathing suit so as to indecently expose his person. No person shall appear in bathing costume at any place in the parks except within the limits of designated bathing places or areas, and all bathing costumes shall conform to commonly accepted standards.
(5) 
Dress or undress on any beach or in any vehicle, toilet or other place, except in such bathing houses or structures as may be provided for that purpose.
(6) 
(Reserved)[2]
[2]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(6), allowing the operation of a vessel in Bee Meadow Ponds, as amended, was repealed 5-24-2018 by Ord. No. 11-2018.
(7) 
(Reserved)[3]
[3]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(7), prohibiting the endangerment of other boaters and limiting the size of watercraft, as amended, was repealed 5-24-2018 by Ord. No. 11-2018.
(8) 
(Reserved)[4]
[4]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(8), regarding times allowed, prohibiting motors on boats, and regulating trailer use, as amended, was repealed 5-24-2018 by Ord. No. 11-2018.
(9) 
Fish in any waters, except in waters designated by the Board of Recreation Commissioners for that use. No ice fishing is allowed without the specific permission of the Board of Recreation Commissioners. All fishing shall be limited to catching fish by hook and line, and no nets or other mechanical devices are permitted.
[Amended 12-26-1968 by Ord. No. 20-68]
(10) 
Fish in any area where bathing is permitted.
(11) 
Hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time. No person shall use, carry or possess firearms of any description or air rifles, spring guns, bows and arrows, slings or any other forms of weapons potentially inimical to wildlife and dangerous to human safety or any instrument that can be loaded with and fire blank cartridges or any kind of trapping device. Shooting into park areas from beyond park boundaries is forbidden.
(12) 
Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose. Attendants shall have the authority to regulate the activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum use for the comfort and convenience of all. Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end.
(13) 
Violate the regulation that the use of individual fireplaces, together with tables and benches, follows generally the rule of first-come first-served.
(14) 
Use any portion of the picnic areas or of any of the buildings or structures therein for the purpose of holding picnics to the exclusion of other persons, nor shall any person use such areas and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded.
(15) 
Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers, cans, bottles, garbage and other refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles, where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available, then refuse and trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.
(16) 
Set up tents, shacks or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping, nor shall any person leave in a park after closing hours any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, such as a house trailer, camp trailer, camp wagon or the like.
(17) 
Take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins or model airplanes, except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation. The playing of rough or comparatively dangerous games, such as football, baseball and quoits, is prohibited, except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor. Rollerskating shall be confined to those areas specifically designated for such pastime.
(18) 
Ride a horse, except on designated bridle trails. Where permitted, horses shall be thoroughly broken and properly restrained and ridden with due care and shall not be allowed to graze or go unattended, nor shall they be hitched to any rock, tree or shrub.
While in a public park or recreation area, all persons shall conduct themselves in a proper and orderly manner, and, in particular, no person shall:
A. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 198-2A, which prohibited consuming or being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage in a park or recreation area unless a special permit has been issued, as amended, was repealed 8-14-2008 by Ord. No. 23-08. See now § 198-4F and G.
B. 
Have in his possession or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn any firecracker, torpedo, rocket or other firework or explosive of flammable material or discharge them or throw them into any such areas from land or highway adjacent thereto. This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture or article that, in conjunction with any other substance or compound, would be dangerous from any of the foregoing standpoints. At the discretion of the Board of Recreation Commissioners, permits may be given for conducting properly supervised fireworks in designated areas.
C. 
Be responsible for the entry of a dog or other domestic animal into areas other than automobile parking concourses and walks immediately adjacent thereto and in such other areas as may be clearly marked by signs bearing the words "Domestic Animals Permitted In This Area." Nothing herein shall be construed as permitting the running of dogs at large. All dogs in those areas where such animals are permitted shall be restrained at all times on adequate leashes not greater than six feet in length.
(1) 
No leashed or unleashed dog or other domestic animal shall be permitted to enter upon any Township athletic field, or recreation facility such as tennis courts, hockey rinks, or any other athletic playing court, except as permitted pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities. Act and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.[2]
[Added 12-13-2018 by Ord. No. 34-18; amended 2-14-2019 by Ord. No. 7-19]
[2]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. and N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq., respectively.
D. 
Occupy any seat or bench or enter into or loiter or remain in any pavilion or other park structure or section thereof which may be reserved and designated by the Board of Recreation Commissioners for the use of the opposite sex. Exception is made for children under six years of age.
E. 
Appear at any place in other than proper clothing. With the exception of the restricted bathing areas, "properly clothed" shall be construed to prohibit the wearing of trunks or clothing that does not cover the upper portion of the body.
F. 
Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private.
G. 
Build or attempt to build a fire, except in those areas specifically designated, using the proper facilities that are provided. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other flammable material, within any park area or on any highway, road or street abutting or contiguous thereto.
[Amended 12-26-1968 by Ord. No. 20-68; 7-11-1991 by Ord. No. 16-91]
H. 
Enter an area posted as closed to the public, nor shall any person use or abet the use of any area in violation of posted notices.
I. 
Gamble or participate in or abet any game of chance.
J. 
Go onto the ice on any of the waters, except such areas as are designated as skating fields, and provided that a safety signal is displayed.
K. 
Sleep or protractedly lounge on the seats or benches or other areas or engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language or engage in any disorderly conduct or behavior tending to be a breach of the public peace.
L. 
Fail to produce and exhibit any permit from the Board of Recreation Commissioners he claims to have upon the request of any authorized person who shall desire to inspect the same for the purpose of enforcing compliance with any ordinance or rule.
M. 
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.
N. 
Solicit for any purpose, whether it be charitable, educational, philosophical or political, or offer any article for sale or display any article within any park in the Township of Hanover or upon any lands or premises which are being utilized by the Township of Hanover or the Board of Recreation Commissioners of the Township of Hanover for any celebration or occurrence without having first received a permit to do so from the Hanover Township Board of Recreation Commissioners. The permit required herein shall be in addition to any other permit required to be obtained by solicitors or vendors under any other Township ordinance.
[Amended 4-8-1982 by Ord. No. 10-82]
O. 
Paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement or inscription whatsoever, nor shall any person erect or cause to be erected any sign whatsoever on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park.
P. 
Play golf or pitch and putt activities in or upon any Township park or parkland open space areas.
[Added 12-13-2018 by Ord. No. 34-18]
A. 
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year during designated hours. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall be posted therein for public information and shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the governing body.
B. 
Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public by the Board of Recreation Commissioners at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise) and either entirely or merely to certain uses, as the Board of Recreation Commissioners shall find reasonably necessary.
A. 
Permits for special events in parks shall be obtained by application to the Board of Recreation Commissioners in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) 
A person seeking the issuance of a permit hereunder shall file an application with the Board of Recreation Commissioners stating.
(a) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(b) 
The name and address of the person, persons, corporation or association sponsoring the activity, if any.
(c) 
The day and hours for which the permit is desired.
(d) 
The park or portion thereof for which such permit is desired.
(e) 
An estimate of the anticipated attendance.
(f) 
Any other information which the Board of Recreation Commissioners shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued.
(2) 
Standards for issuance. The Board of Recreation Commissioners shall issue a permit hereunder when it finds that:
(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 the public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
(c) 
The proposed activity or use is not reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
(d) 
The proposed activity will not entail unusual, extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the Township.
(e) 
The facilities desired have not been reserved for other use at the day and hour required in the application.
(3) 
Appeal. Within five days after receipt of an application, the Board of Recreation Commissioners shall apprise an applicant, in writing, of its reasons for refusing a permit, and any aggrieved person shall have the right to appeal, in writing, within five days to the Township Committee, which shall consider the application under the standards set forth in Subsection A(2) hereof and sustain or overrule the Board of Recreation Commissioners' decision within five days. The decision of the Township Committee shall be final.
B. 
A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances as fully as though the same were inserted in said permits.
C. 
The person or persons to whom a permit is issued shall be liable for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whatsoever by reason of the negligence of the person or persons to whom such permit shall have been issued.
D. 
When the Township grants permission for any individual, organization or corporation to utilize a park or municipal recreational facility and reserves a park or other municipal recreational facility for that entity, in addition to all other requirements established by the Township for the use of a park or recreational facility, the fees set forth in Chapter 125, Fees, of the Code of the Township of Hanover shall be paid to the Township for each day of use.
[Added 7-11-1991 by Ord. No. 16-91]
E. 
Revocation. The Board of Recreation Commissioners shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of a violation of any rule or ordinance or upon good cause shown.
F. 
Permission to serve and consume alcoholic beverages at group functions held on or in a public park or recreation area may be permitted upon specific request to the Recreation and Park Administration Department,[1] and at the sole discretion of the Board of Recreation Commissioners. Any requests shall be made in writing to the Board of Recreation Commissioners, and, if approved, a special permit will be issued to the applicant specifying the date and time which said permit shall cover.
[Added 8-14-2008 by Ord. No. 23-08]
[1]
Editor's Note: Pursuant to Ord. No. 12-10, adopted 4-8-2010, the title of this department was changed from Parks and Recreation Department to Recreation and Park Administration Department.
G. 
Applicants seeking a permit for a special event or group function, irrespective of whether alcoholic beverages may be served, shall make every effort to obtain through their insurance company an extension of their homeowners' insurance coverage to cover the special event or group function. Evidence of such an extension must be provided in the form of a letter on the letterhead of the insurance company or in the submission of a certificate of insurance issued by the insurance company or broker agent.
[Added 8-14-2008 by Ord. No. 23-08]
A. 
The Board of Recreation Commissioners and park attendants shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this article.
B. 
The Board of Recreation Commissioners and any park attendant shall have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation of this article.
C. 
The Board of Recreation Commissioners and any park attendant shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing or device in the park used in violation of this article.
[Added 2-10-1972 by Ord. No. 1-72]
Whenever, pursuant to this article or the regulations of the Board of Recreation Commissioners, entry and use of the recreational facilities or activities is restricted to Township residents, any person obtaining identification, membership or entry into such facilities or activities through the use of falsification of a Township address or by another subterfuge shall be in violation of this article and shall be subject to the penalties contained in § 198-7 of this article.
[Amended 11-13-1975 by Ord. No. 26-75; 7-11-1991 by Ord. No. 16-91]
This article shall also be enforced by the Police Department, and any person convicted of violating the provisions of this article relating to conduct in public parks, or any regulation or rule promulgated hereunder, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each offense or to imprisonment in the county jail for 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the Judge.