[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Westampton 9-18-2017 by Ord. No. 172.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Recreation Advisory Committee — See Ch. 59.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 172, Parks and Recreation, comprising Art. I, Hours and Curfew in Park Areas, adopted 8-10-2010 by Ord. No. 10-2010, as amended.
The Township Committee of the Township of Westampton finds that it is in the best interest of the residents of Westampton Township to regulate the use of the buildings, parks, playgrounds and open space areas owned and maintained by the Township and to establish regulations related to said use.
The Township Committee of the Township of Westampton has adopted and incorporates by reference herein the Westampton Township Facilities Use Policy as a means to reserve use of the Township's facilities, thereby improving the accessibility and scheduling of facilities and, at the same time, provide for their safe, constructive and prolonged use. All groups, organizations and/or leagues will be required to pay a reasonable fee to use Township facilities and Board of Education facilities which are maintained by the Township. Said fees, rents, rates or other charges shall be kept on file with the Director of Recreation and may be modified as appropriate, subject to review and approval by the Township Committee.
[Amended 2-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2-2021]
A. 
It shall be unlawful and in violation of this chapter for any person, firm, corporation or other entity to perform or permit to be performed any of the following acts within any building, park, playground or open space area of the Township to:
(1) 
Operate, drive or park any automobile except on a street, driveway or parking lot in any park, playground or open space area or park or leave any such vehicle in any place other than the areas established for public parking. No two-wheeled motor vehicle shall be permitted in any park, playground or open space area except in specific locations provided for said use, if any.
(2) 
Bring animals on any Township-owned premises unless the animal is a service animal.
(3) 
Hunt or trap any wild animal.
(4) 
Bring alcoholic beverages without special permit issued by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control or drugs into any park or recreation area or consume alcoholic beverages or drugs while in a park or recreational area.
(5) 
Have in his or her possession or set or otherwise cause to explode, discharge or burn any firecrackers, rockets or other fireworks or explosive inflammable material.
(6) 
Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas designated for such purpose.
(7) 
Hold, possess or use any firearm or weapon within the boundaries of any park, playground or open space area but for law enforcement officers and firearm permit holders.
(8) 
Endanger the safety of any person by any conduct or act, including disturbing the peace, using profanity or committing any assault, battery or fighting.
(9) 
Allow himself or herself to be indecently exposed.
(10) 
Loiter in parked vehicles or park overnight.
(11) 
Litter or dump any materials.
(12) 
Use or cause to be used any loud music or loudspeakers, public address systems or amplifiers without first having obtained written permission from the Township.
(13) 
Barbecue or use propane tanks except by permit.
(14) 
Mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, displace or remove any Township property, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers or other structures or equipment facilities of a park, playground or open space area or parts thereof whatsoever, either real or personal.
(15) 
Hit balls against fences or practice golf.
(16) 
Sell, vend, peddle or offer for sale any commodity or article within any park, playground or open space area which such activity is purely for pecuniary profit, other than employees and officials of the Recreation Department or persons having prior written permission from the Township. No vendors of any kind are allowed except by permit.
(17) 
Swim in any pond, lake, stream or other body of water, except for areas designated and posted as approved for swimming.
(18) 
Fish or operate motorboats, canoes, kayaks and any other water vehicle on any stream, lake or body of water owned and operated by Westampton Township when posted.
(19) 
Dig, remove, injure or damage any trees, shrubs, plants or other vegetation, or disturb any other groomed or natural areas, or any other Township property.
B. 
In addition to the above, failure of any person, firm, corporation or other entity to abide by the following regulations on the Westampton Sports Complex turf fields shall be unlawful and in violation of this chapter:
(1) 
No food or drinks other than sports drinks and water.
(2) 
No chewing gum, nuts or sunflower seeds.
(3) 
No metal cleats.
(4) 
No driving of tent stakes or other sharp objects that could pierce or damage the turf.
(5) 
No bicycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, etc.
(6) 
No dragging of goals and equipment.
(7) 
No picking or pulling of grass fibers or infill materials.
(8) 
No animals are permitted on the turf fields at any time, unless the animal is a service animal.
[Amended 2-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2-2021]
A. 
The public parks, playgrounds and open space areas of Westampton Township that do not have lighting shall be open for use from sunrise to sunset.
B. 
The public parks, playgrounds and open space areas of Westampton Township equipped with lighting shall be open from sunrise until sunset unless the lighting is operational in which case they shall not be lit and occupied after 10:00 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and after 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. If the lights are not in operation, these parks, playgrounds and open space areas shall be closed after sunset in the evening.
C. 
Any person, firm, corporation or other entity not in the possession of a valid permit issued by Westampton Township on a public park, playground or open space area before sunrise or after closing time shall be deemed in violation of this section.
D. 
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, all parks, playgrounds and open space areas shall be open to the public every day of the year during the hours designated in this section.
E. 
In the case of inclement weather, field maintenance or other significant determination by Township personnel, any area may be declared closed to the public by the Township at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise), regardless of whether an individual or organization has obtained a permit to use the same. The Township shall post notice of any closure near the entrances to the park, playground or open space area or the specific field area as appropriate.
F. 
No person, firm, corporation or other entity shall enter any portion or area of any park, playground or open space area closed or restricted by the Township, as indicated and directed by posted notice or signs.
G. 
Westampton Township will not be liable for any vehicle damage or personal damage; all sports participants, spectators, coaches, players, vendors, runners, and pedestrians in playground and picnic areas are at risk of impact of sports equipment. All are to be alert at all times.
H. 
Municipal buildings, parks, playgrounds and open space areas are under video surveillance and police patrol.
I. 
All of the above shall also pertain to any building, park, playground or open space area when used or occupied by any departmental entity of Westampton Township unless the governing rules of such space contradict any provision of this chapter, in which case the governing rules of the space shall apply.
A. 
Any person, firm, corporation or other entity convicted of a violation of this chapter or any section thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $2,500 if said conviction constitutes a first offense. For any second or subsequent offense, said person, firm, corporation or other entity shall be sentenced to a fine not to exceed $5,000 or a term of imprisonment or period of community service not to exceed 90 days, or both, in the discretion of the sentencing court.
B. 
In addition to any fine that may be imposed in violation of this section, any person, firm, corporation or other entity found guilty, or, if a minor, adjudicated, of unauthorized use of the Township parks, playgrounds, or open space areas shall be monetarily liable for the damage caused to the facility, including all legal and/or administrative costs to repair all damage.