[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Washington 4-21-1975 (Sec. 6-11 of the Revised General Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 7-15-1985 by Ord. No. 26-85; 4-18-1988 by Ord. No. 10-88; 7-16-2007 by Ord. No. 18-07; 3-15-2010 by Ord. No. 07-10; 10-18-2010 by Ord. No. 20-10; 5-20-2013 by Ord. No. 09-13; 10-17-2016 by Ord. No. 11-16; 4-19-2021 by Ord. No. 08-21; 7-21-2025 by Ord. No. 11-25]
While in a public park or recreational area, including fields and courts, all persons shall conduct themselves in a proper and orderly manner, and no person shall:
A. 
Willfully mark, deface, tamper with or deface or remove any public property.
B. 
Except while using the Washington Township Community Garden in accordance with the regulations set forth in § 137-7, dig or remove any soil, shrubs, or plants or other wood materials.
C. 
Damage, remove or injure the flowers or seed of any tree or plant.
D. 
Hunt, harm or kill any animal life unless that person has been specifically authorized or licensed to do so by the Township Committee.
E. 
Discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain or other body of water in or adjacent to any park any substance which may result in the pollution of the waters.
F. 
Dump any refuse or trash anywhere on the grounds thereof, but shall place refuse in the proper receptacle where these are provided. Where receptacles are not provided, all such rubbish shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.
G. 
Leave a bicycle lying on the ground or set against trees or any other place where other persons may trip over or be injured by such bicycle.
H. 
Swim or wade in any waters in or adjacent to any park, except in such waters and at such places as are provided therefor, and except in compliance with such regulations as are herein set forth or may be hereinafter adopted.
I. 
Fish in any area where bathing is permitted.
J. 
Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash is disposed of.
K. 
Set up tents, shacks or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping.
L. 
Have or bring alcoholic beverages or drink such at any time without a permit from the Township.
M. 
Have in his possession or set, or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn, any firecrackers or other fireworks.
N. 
Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private.
O. 
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.
P. 
Post any sign or inscription whatever on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park.
Q. 
Have in his or her possession glass containers of any type.
R. 
Except while at the Long Valley Dog Park in accordance with the regulations set forth in § 137-6, no person shall allow, permit or suffer any dog owned by them or under their control to enter upon park property, when off a leash or on parking lots, recreation fields, playgrounds or other common areas with the exception of paved walking paths and natural trails and when accessing paved walking paths or natural trails from parking areas.”
S. 
Play golf, drive, pitch, putt or chip any golf balls in other than designated areas.
T. 
Ride, drive, operate or park a motorized vehicle, except on clearly defined roads, drives or parking areas
U. 
Trespass on any park or recreational area temporarily closed for maintenance and appropriately posted by the authority of the Township Committee.
V. 
Be present in a park after dusk or before dawn, either on foot or by vehicle, unless in connection with an event authorized or sponsored by the Township.
W. 
Conduct any private instruction, lessons or classes for a fee.
[Amended 10-15-1984 by Ord. No. 25-84; 6-15-1998 by Ord. No. 25-98; 4-16-2007 by Ord. No. 9-07]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant hereto shall, upon conviction, be subject to the replacement, repair or restoration of any damaged park property and shall be subject, upon conviction, to the penalties provided in § 1-3 of this Code. In addition, repeat offenders may lose the right to use Township recreational facilities.
[Added 3-16-1992 by Ord. No. 1-92; amended 6-15-1998 by Ord. No. 25-98; 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 24-03; 7-16-2007 by Ord. No. 18-07; 4-20-2009 by Ord. No. 04-09; 6-20-2011 by Ord. No. 09-11; 4-17-2023 by Ord. No. 04-23]
A. 
Fees for the use of Township recreation fields, other than Rock Spring Park and Palmer Park, shall be in accordance with the following:
(1) 
Township recreation fields with the exception of Rock Spring Park and Palmer Park shall be available for use only by resident groups/organizations/leagues. For purposes of this section, "resident" shall mean that at least 80% of the participants of a youth group/organization/league and at least 50% of the participants of an adult group/organization/league are residents of the Township of Washington, Morris County. The percentage limitations set forth above shall not apply to nonresident visiting groups/organizations/leagues who are participating in a game with a resident group/organization/league.
(2) 
All resident not-for-profit sports groups/organizations/leagues or other resident not-for-profit sport entities desiring to use Township recreation fields shall pay a field usage fee of $10 per participant per season per sport due two weeks prior to the first field usage. Refunds of any overpayment will be issued upon receipt of a certified updated participant list. The field usage fees will be placed in a dedicated trust account to be used only for field maintenance or capital improvements to the recreation fields.
(3) 
If any group subject to Subsection A(2) above certifies to the Township that it has waived the registration fee that it charges to a participant based on a demonstrated hardship, the Township will waive the fee set forth in Subsection A(2) above for each such participant.
B. 
Fees for the use of Rock Spring Park and Palmer Park shall be in accordance with the following:
(1) 
Rock Spring Park and Palmer Park shall be available for use by all groups/organizations/leagues, with priority for use given to resident groups/organizations/leagues. All resident [as defined in Subsection A(1) above] sport groups/organizations/leagues or other sport entities desiring to use Township recreation fields at Rock Spring Park or Palmer Park shall pay a field usage fee of $10 per participant per season per sport due two weeks prior to the first field usage. All nonresident sport groups/organizations/leagues or other sport entities desiring to use Township recreation fields at Rock Spring Park or Palmer Park shall pay a field usage fee of $20 per participant per season per sport due two weeks prior to the first field usage. Refunds of any overpayment will be issued upon receipt of a certified updated participant list. The field usage fees will be placed in a dedicated trust account to be used only for field maintenance or capital improvements to the recreation fields.
(2) 
If any group subject to Subsection B(1) above certifies to the Township that it has waived the registration fee that it charges to a participant based on a demonstrated hardship, the Township will waive the fee set forth in Subsection B(1) above for each such participant.
[Added 7-16-2007 by Ord. No. 18-07; amended 4-21-2025 by Ord. No. 08-25]
A. 
The Long Valley Dog Park shall be free of charge and open to residents and nonresidents subject to the rules and regulations established.
B. 
(Reserved)
C. 
Rules and regulations. In addition to the rules and regulations contained in this chapter, the following rules and regulations shall apply to the use and operation of the Long Valley Dog Park:
(1) 
The park shall be open from dawn until dusk unless otherwise posted. No person or dog shall be allowed on the premises when the park is closed.
(2) 
No animals, other than dogs, are permitted.
(3) 
Dogs must wear collars with a valid New Jersey dog registration tag and ID on the collar. No prong/spike collars are allowed in the park.
(4) 
All dogs must be under the control of an individual at least 18 years of age at all times while at the dog park (hereinafter "handler"). No more than three dogs are permitted per handler.
(5) 
All dogs must be leashed in their cars prior to entering the parking lot and must be on a leash when entering and exiting the main double-gate enclosure.
(6) 
Dogs that become aggressive towards other dogs or people or uncontrollable must be leashed immediately and removed from the park. Dogs with a history of dangerous or aggressive behavior are prohibited from the park.
(7) 
Owners are discouraged from bringing puppies to the park.
(8) 
Female dogs in heat are not permitted in the park.
(9) 
Handlers must stay in the park at all times with leash in hand, unless another handler agrees to maintain control over the dog.
(10) 
Handlers must clean up any fecal matter deposited by their dog. Waste bags will be provided.
(11) 
Owners are not permitted to run inside the park or get involved in dog play.
(12) 
Dog bites must be reported immediately to the Police Department, the Washington Township Board of Health and the Animal Control Officer.
(13) 
Children under the age of 10 are not permitted in the fenced-in area. All children must be accompanied by an adult and closely supervised.
(14) 
Do not approach unfamiliar dogs without the owner's permission.
(15) 
Access gates must be properly secured upon entering/leaving the off-leash area.
(16) 
No human food or drink of any kind are permitted inside the fenced area.
(17) 
No dog food, treats or toys are permitted in the dog park.
(18) 
Handlers must provide water and water bowls, if desired, for their dogs.
(19) 
The Township shall not provide any supervision of the Long Valley Dog Park. Handlers are responsible for the actions and behavior of their dogs and are strictly liable for any incidents that occur in the park. All persons using the Long Valley Dog Park assume any and all risks associated with the use of the park. Parking lot and paths will not be cleared during snow events.
[Added 5-20-2013 by Ord. No. 09-13]
A. 
Establishment. A permanent community garden is hereby established within the Township of Washington to be located at Palmer Park on Bartley Road in the Township and shall be designated as the Washington Township Community Garden. The community garden may be expanded or relocated from time to time on Township property as designated by the Township Committee.
B. 
The Washington Township Community Garden Committee. The community garden shall be managed by the Washington Township Community Garden Committee, who shall enforce the rules and regulations set forth in this ordinance under the direction of the Recreation Director. The Washington Township Garden Committee may require gardeners to sign a use agreement to supplement the rules and regulations set forth in this ordinance, provided that the Township Administrator has approved the terms of the use agreement.
C. 
Use of garden. The community garden is available to all residents of the Township age 14 and over, on a first-come, first-served basis for the purpose of growing fruits and vegetables, flowers and herbs. The community garden is also available to nonresidents provided there are plots available after registration has been open to residents for 30 days, except that for calendar year 2013, the registration waiting period for nonresidents will be waived. Nonresidents may rent for only one year at a time. Each person renting a plot shall be required to enter into an agreement governing the use of the plot(s) with the Washington Township Community Garden Committee as well an agreement with the Township of Washington pursuant to Subsection F of this section.
D. 
Fees. No person shall be permitted to maintain a plot in the Washington Township Community Garden unless they have registered for the plot, signed the required agreements and paid the applicable fee.
(1) 
The annual fee for rental of an eight-foot by eight-foot plot shall be $20 for a resident and $30 for a nonresident. The fee for a three-year rental shall be $50.
(2) 
The annual fee for rental of an eight-foot by sixteen-foot plot shall be $35 for residents and $45 for nonresidents. The fee for a three-year rental shall be $80.
(3) 
Fees are payable to the Township of Washington, are nonrefundable and must be paid at the time of registration for the plot.
(4) 
No more than two plots may be rented by a household.
(5) 
Veterans must register for a plot but will not be required to pay the annual rental fee.
E. 
Rules and regulations. The use of the Washington Township Community Garden will be subject to the following rules and regulations:
(1) 
Hours: Dawn to dusk. Gates must be kept closed and locked at all times.
(2) 
Season: May 1 through November 15 or as otherwise established by the Washington Township Community Garden Committee. Cultivation and planting must be started by June 1 and plots must be tended through the time of fall cleanup. Persons renting plots are expected to spend at least four hours per week on plot maintenance in order to cultivate a productive and attractive garden plot.
(3) 
Parking: In designated areas only.
(4) 
Structures: Elaborate garden structures, fountains or the use of multiple decorative items is prohibited. The Washington Township Garden Committee must approve any structures or decorative items used in an individual plot to be sure that such structures do not shade adjacent plots.
(5) 
Weeds: All waste, weeds, etc shall be disposed of off-site except for compostable matter which may be disposed of in areas designated by the Washington Township Garden Committee.
(6) 
Water: Water from the watering spigots provided in the community garden is nonpotable and is for use in the garden only. Hoses are not permitted. Water must be securely turned off after each use.
(7) 
Fertilizers and pesticides. The use of nonorganic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers is prohibited.
(8) 
Pets: Pets and other animals are prohibited at all times.
(9) 
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited at all times.
(10) 
No invasive species or corn may be planted in the community garden without the consent of the Washington Township Community Garden Committee.
(11) 
Rules of conduct: All gardeners and their visitors shall observe the rules of conduct established by the Washington Township Community Garden Committee as well as the rules and regulations for the use of Township parks and recreation areas set forth in § 137-1.
F. 
Indemnification: All persons using the Washington Township Community Garden assume any and all risks associated with the use of the community garden. Prior to use of the community garden, each person shall execute and deliver to the Township a hold harmless and indemnification agreement.
G. 
Violations: Use of the community garden is a privilege. The Township reserves the right to revoke the use of the community garden by any person for failure to observe the rules and regulations established in this Ordinance or by the Washington Township Garden Committee. Upon violation of any rule or regulation, a written notice will be issued and the violator will be given a reasonable opportunity to correct the violation. If the violation does not cease or is not cured within 14 days, a second written notice will be issued. If the violation has not ceased or been cured within 14 days of the second notice, the use of the community garden for the remainder of the season may be revoked and the plot may be reassigned. Any person whose permission to use a plot is revoked may appeal the decision to the Recreation Director, who shall hold a hearing on the matter within 15 days of the revocation.