A.
It is the intent of the Township of Elk to encourage
the citizens of the community to utilize the Township's facilities
for their enjoyment and recreation. However, it should be duly noted
that all Elk Township programs and activities are given preference
in the use of facilities.
B.
All Elk Township parks are used conditionally upon
the proper behavior of the user, and if rules and regulations are
violated or property is damaged, future applications may be rejected,
at the sole discretion of the Township Committee. The applicant will
be responsible for the preservation of good order and will be held
liable for any damages to or loss of Township property. The costs
and expenses relating to the reparation for damages or loss of Township
property must be made within 30 days of the date of the damage or
loss.
C.
All injuries to persons or property shall be immediately
reported to the Elk Township Police Department, at which time all
necessary accident forms must be completed. The Police Department
will notify the Township at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
D.
Prohibited activities. No person in a park shall:
(1)
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper
with, 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, other structures or equipment, facilities
or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.
(2)
Fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms
in a neat and sanitary condition. No person over the age of six years
shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite
sex, with the exception of special circumstances.
(3)
Throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be
placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, bay or any
other body of water in or adjacent to any park, or any tributary,
stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such waters, any substance,
matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the
pollution of said waters.
(4)
Have brought in or dump, deposit or leave any bottles,
broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage,
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.
(5)
Use any sound-amplifying device, such as a radio,
tape or compact disc player or "boom box," in such a manner as to
create a disturbance or be an annoyance to others using park facilities.
(6)
Do any temporary construction work, such as installing
temporary seating platforms or runways, or install any additional
lighting equipment without written approval of the Township Committee.
(7)
Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree
or plant or injure the bark or pick flowers or seeds of any tree or
plant, dig in or otherwise disturb grassed areas or in any other way
injure the natural beauty or usefulness of any area, or cause injury
to the tree or plant.
(8)
Ride a bicycle without reasonable regard to the safety
of others.
(9)
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.
(10)
Bring into or distribute any form of lewd or inappropriate
material.
(11)
Use any wheeled device, including, but not limited
to, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades/skates, and scooters in the
tennis courts.
(12)
Use hockey sticks in the tennis courts.
(13)
Take part in or abet the playing of any games involving
thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, golf balls, stones,
arrows, javelins, horseshoes, quoits or model airplanes, except in
those areas set apart for such forms of recreation. The playing of
rough or comparatively dangerous games such as football, lacrosse,
baseball, hockey and soccer is prohibited except on the fields and
courts or area as provided therefor. Roller-skating shall be confined
to those areas specifically designed for such pastime.
(14)
Utter loud, offensive, obscene, threatening or abusive
language or make offensive or insulting remarks to any other person
or persons.
(15)
Enter an area posted as "Closed to the Public," nor
shall any person use or abet in the use of any area in violation of
posted notices.
(16)
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person
or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under
the authority of a permit.
(17)
Carry, possess, dispense or consume any alcoholic
beverage.
(18)
Willfully or negligently mark, deface, disfigure,
injure, tamper with, displace or remove any building, bridge, table,
bench, fireplace, railing, paving or paving material, waterline or
other public utility, or paths 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 public property or appurtenances whatsoever, real or personal.
(19)
Dump, deposit or leave any debris, bottles, broken
glass, ashes, paper, automobile parts, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish,
waste, garbage or refuse or other trash, and fail to place such materials
in a receptacle placed for such purpose.
(20)
Drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches,
burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other inflammable material
or light, build, kindle or maintain any fire.
(21)
Drop, throw or otherwise scatter on the ice of any
lake or pond any debris, sharp objects or items which may harm persons,
animals, vegetation or water.
(22)
Operate any motorized equipment, including, but not
limited to, automobiles, trucks, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles
(ATVs), motorcycles and/or mopeds, within any conservation, recreation
or park area covered by this Chapter. However, nothing herein shall
be interpreted so as to prohibit any wheelchairs, motorized or otherwise,
or other similar device used to assist any individual with a physical
disability. The operation of motor vehicles by government agencies
for public safety, maintenance and/or emergency purposes is permitted.
(23)
Operate or use any bicycle, unicycle, skateboard,
scooter, roller skates, roller blades, or any other nonmotorized item
used for transportation within the park unless in compliance with
Title 39, N.J.S.A. 39:4-10 et seq. through 39:4-14, et seq.
(24)
No person shall feed, in any public park or on any
other property owned or operated by the Township of Elk, any wildlife,
excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos,
parks or rehabilitation centers or unconfined wildlife at environmental
education centers).
A.
The parks and adjoining parking lots shall be opened
to the public between dawn and dusk. It shall be unlawful for any
person or persons, other than Township personnel conducting Township
business therein or recognized groups who have first obtained permission
from the Township, to occupy or be present in said parks or adjoining
parking lots during any hours in which the park is not open to the
public.
[Amended 6-6-2013 by Ord. No. O-4-2013]
B.
Any section or part of the park may be declared closed
to the public by the Township at any time and for any interval of
time, either temporarily or at regular or stated intervals.
C.
Rainouts are called with the welfare of park facilities
in mind. Rainouts are not negotiable. Pressure brought upon park staff
to reopen rained-out fields will not be tolerated. Fields will be
closed during thunder and lightning.
A.
Whenever any group, association or organization desires
to use said park facilities such as ball fields, asphalt playing surfaces,
the pavilion, the refreshment stand, etc., for a particular purpose,
such as picnics, parties or theatrical or entertainment performances
or sporting activities, a representative of said group, association
or organization shall first obtain a permit from the Township for
such purposes. The Township may adopt an application form to be used
for such situations. All Township-sponsored sports supersede any other
group or organization for field use and play time.
B.
The Township shall grant the application if it appears
that the group, association or organization will not interfere with
the general use of the remainder of the park by individual members
of the public and if said group, association or organization meets
all other conditions contained in the application. The application
may contain a requirement for an indemnity bond to protect the Township
from any liability of any kind or character and to protect Township
property from damage.
C.
Permission for the use of the Elk Township parks may
be secured by completing the application form and submitting the request
to the Township of Elk at least 15 calendar days prior to the anticipated
date of the use, but not more than six months in advance.
D.
The Township, in the exercise of its discretion and
when special circumstances exist and the public interest and general
welfare of the community warrant the same, may change, modify, waive,
alter or amend the definition of "recognized group" as defined below
as well as the application procedure and the criteria for use.
E.
Procedures for use by recognized groups.
(1)
A "recognized group" is defined as a nonprofit [Internal
Revenue Code 501 (C)(3)] recreational, cultural or social organization,
group or club, and any Elk Township-based association or organization.
(2)
Recognized groups shall be given priority when scheduling
any and all facilities within the parks.
(3)
All requested materials, including master schedules,
insurance requirements, etc., will be submitted with the application
form, or permission to use the facility may be denied.
(4)
The Township will review the application for approval,
and the applicant will receive written notification from the Township
advising whether the facility use application has been approved or
denied.
(5)
The application for facility use must be approved
before the use is permitted. Users may be required to produce a copy
of an approved application if requested by an official of the Township.
(6)
Striping and lining shall be performed by the recognized
group granted permission to use the facility requested. Only materials
approved by the Township may be used.
F.
Public use and availability.
(1)
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks
shall be open to the public every day of the year during the designated
hours. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall
be posted therein for public information.
(2)
Elk Township prohibits discrimination on the basis
of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, age, religion, veteran's
status, marital status or handicap.
(3)
Although preference in scheduling facilities is given
to recognized groups, discrimination on the basis of residence, including
preferential reservation, membership or annual permit systems, is
prohibited except to the extent that reasonable differences in admission
and other fees may be maintained on the basis of residence in any
park.
(4)
Members of the general public must reserve any of
the facilities in the parks in the same manner as a recognized group.
The number of times the applicant has previously reserved a facility
will be considered by the Township when granting approval of an application.
(5)
The use of all athletic facilities within the parks
by the public which have not been previously scheduled and for which
no application has been submitted and approved shall be on a first-come-first-served
basis and limited as to time as follows:
(a)
Tennis courts: Play shall be limited to one
hour if there are others waiting to use the courts.
(b)
Street/roller hockey rink: Play shall be limited
to one hour if there are others waiting to use the rink.
(c)
Basketball courts: Play shall be limited to
30 minutes if there are others waiting to use the courts.
(d)
Baseball/softball field: Play shall be limited
to 1.5 hours if there are others waiting to use the field.
(e)
Multipurpose fields (soccer, football, etc.):
Play shall be limited to one hour if there are others waiting to use
the field.
(6)
The use of all other facilities, not previously scheduled,
will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
(7)
Permits do not grant the use of facilities, equipment,
supplies, etc., not specifically stated in the permit. A permit is
not transferable; that is, the organization acquiring permission to
use an Elk Township facility cannot transfer permission to use said
facility to another organization or group.
No person in a park shall:
A.
Picnic or lunch in places other than those designated
for that purpose. Attendants shall have the authority to regulate
such 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.
B.
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 use such areas and facilities
for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded unless an approved
application from the Township for said use has been obtained.
C.
Staple to, nail to or deface the pavilion in any way.
D.
Use charcoal grills on the premises; however, gas
grills will be permitted within a designated area.
E.
Leave a picnic area 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 and properly disposed of elsewhere.
A.
No person shall 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. No
person shall swim, bathe or wade in any waters or waterways, lakes
or ponds except in areas so designated and posted by the Township
and only at such times as an official swimming guard shall be present
and on duty.
B.
No person shall dress or undress on any beach or in
any vehicle or other place except in such bathing houses or structures
as may be provided for that purpose.
C.
No person or persons shall bring upon any public park
or on the waters of any public park any boat or other aquatic device
without the written permission of the Township.
No person in a park shall drive any vehicle
on any area, including the paved walking path, except the paved park
roads or parking areas or such areas as may on occasion be specifically
designated as temporary areas by the Township of Elk. It shall be
unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle in
any area of any park not designated for its use and in excess of a
speed of 15 miles per hour.
It shall be unlawful for any person to build
fires or use cooking devices of any kind except in areas so designated.
It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke
any tobacco products in any of the Elk Township parks.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to bring or harbor
any animals in the park known as Elk Township Recreation Park or Ina
B. Hull Park. Animals will be permitted at the Elephant Swamp Park
but must be on a leash at all times. The leash cannot exceed eight
feet in length. No domestic animals shall be permitted to run at large
within Elephant Swamp Park. No animal shall be hitched to any structure
within the park.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a horse
in the Elk Township Recreation Park and Ina B. Hull Park. Horse riding
will be allowed on the Elephant Swamp Park trail, but the horse must
be walking. Trotting, galloping or running will not be allowed in
the park. The horse must be tethered at all times while on the trail,
and it will be unlawful for any person to ride any horse in the bridle
paths and pathways in a careless and reckless manner.
C.
No person owning or in charge or possession of a pet
or animal shall cause or allow such pet or animal to soil, defile,
defecate on or commit any nuisance on any common thoroughfare, sidewalk,
passageway, bypath, play area, park or any place where people congregate
or walk or upon any public property whatsoever.
D.
Any person owning or in charge or possession of any
pet or animal which soils, defiles, defecates on or commits any nuisance
on any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, passageway, bypath, play area,
park or any place where people congregate or walk, or upon any public
property whatsoever, shall immediately remove all pet or animal solid
waste deposited by such pet or animal by any sanitary method approved
by the local health authority.
[Amended 10-2-2008 by Ord. No. O-2008-8]
It shall be unlawful for any person to have
in his or her possession, custody or control any alcoholic beverage
(including beer) of any kind whatsoever, and all coolers, thermoses
and containers are subject to inspection. Any person suspected of
being under the influence of intoxicants or drugs shall be removed
from Township property and assisted by a police officer or other authorized
person to his or her residence or to an intoxication treatment center
or other facility.
No person in a park shall, unless approved by
the Township:
A.
Expose or offer for sale any article or thing, nor
station or place any stand, cart or vehicle for the transportation,
sale or display of any such article or thing.
B.
Announce, advertise or call the public attention in
any way to any article or service for sale or hire.
C.
Paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard,
advertisement or inscription whatsoever, nor erect or cause to be
erected any sign whatever on any public lands or highway or roads
adjacent to a park.
It shall be unlawful for any person to skate,
sled or walk on any lake, stream or pond in any area in a park which
has not been approved and posted for such use by the Township.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to
bring into the Elk Township Recreation Park or Ina B. Hull Park any
firearms of any nature or description or to bring into said parks
or have in their possession or use any fireworks of any nature or
description. Firearms include paintball guns which use a carbon dioxide
cartridge or other propellant to discharge a capsule containing any
dye or other substance.
B.
Elephant Swamp Park.
(1)
This nature trail is owned and maintained by the Township
of Elk.
(2)
The grounds off this nature trail are private and
Township-owned.
(3)
Hunters will be allowed to park in the Elephant Swamp
Park parking lot and walk from their vehicles to the hunting areas
off of the nature trail. While in the Elephant Swamp Park area, all
weapons must be unloaded in both barrel and magazine. At no time will
a hunter be allowed to discharge a weapon, this includes shooting
with a bow and arrow, from the nature trail or across the trail. Any
hunting done within close proximity of the Elephant Swamp Park is
subject to New Jersey State Fish and Game Laws (1985 Code § 14-1.10).
(4)
Fireworks and paintball guns will not be allowed in
the Elephant Swamp Park.
C.
Hunting and trapping in any park is prohibited.
