[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Union City 1-7-1997 as Ch. V of the 1996 Revised General Ordinances, as amended through Ord. No. 3645. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
No person in a public park or recreation area shall:
A. 
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any buildings, tables, benches, chains, railings, pavings or paving materials, waterlines or other public utilities, or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, stakes, posts or other boundary markers, or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.
B. 
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.
C. 
Dig or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs, plants or other wood or materials, or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.
D. 
Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary, or run or string any public service utility into, upon or across such lands, except on special written permit issued hereunder.
E. 
Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark, or pick flowers or seeds off any tree or plant, dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas, or in any other way injure the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.
F. 
Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, planters, fountains, railings, fences or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.
G. 
Tie or hitch an animal to any tree or plant.
H. 
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird, nor shall any person remove or have in his/her possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest, or young of any reptile or bird.
I. 
Throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream 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 the waters.
J. 
Have brought in or dump in, 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 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.
K. 
Ride a bicycle, scooter, e-bike, e-scooter, or utilize roller skates in any public parks or recreation areas within the City of Union City.
[Amended 11-21-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-78]
L. 
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.
M. 
No person shall carry or possess firearms of any description or air rifles, spring guns, bow and arrows, slings or any other form 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.
N. 
Consumption of food and/or beverages (other than water) is prohibited in public parks and recreation areas within the City of Union City. No person shall picnic or lunch in any location within any public park or recreation area. Park attendants shall have the authority to enforce these restrictions to ensure the comfort and convenience of all. This provision shall not be applicable to infants/small children, persons with diabetes, and/or any other medical necessity.
[Amended 11-21-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-78]
O. 
No person shall set up tents, shacks, or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping, nor shall any person leave any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such person in any park after closing hours, including but not limited to house trailers, camping trailers, camp wagons, or any similar movable structure or vehicle, except as approved in those areas designated by the Park Commission for those purposes. No person shall set up any tables and/or chairs in any public parks and/or recreation areas, except on special written permit issued hereunder.
[Amended 11-21-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-78]
P. 
Take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as 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, baseball and lacrosse is prohibited, except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor. Roller-skating shall be confined to those areas specifically designed for such pastime.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original section 2, Carnivals at Roosevelt Stadium, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 5-21-2013.
Q. 
Children must be supervised at all times by a parent, adult, or guardian in any public park or recreation area within the City of Union City.
[Added 11-21-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-78]
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. 
Bring alcoholic beverages, drink same at any time, nor shall any person be under the influence of intoxicating liquor in a park.
B. 
Have in his/her possession or set or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn any firecrackers, torpedo rockets or other fireworks, firecrackers or explosives of inflammable material, or discharge them or throw them into any such areas from lands or highways 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 Director of Parks and Public Property, permits may be given for conducting properly supervised fireworks in designated park areas.
C. 
Be responsible for the entry of a dog or other domestic animal into areas clearly marked by signs bearing the words "Domestic Animals Prohibited 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.
D. 
Occupy any seat or bench, or enter into, loiter or remain in any pavilion or any other park structure or section thereof which may be reserved and designated by the Department of Parks and Public Property for the use of the opposite sex. Exception is made for children under six years of age.
E. 
Appear at any public park or recreation area in anything other than proper and appropriate clothing. Visitors must wear clothing and swimwear considered appropriate for a family-friendly atmosphere. "Tongas" and any other clothing/swimwear that reveals a person's nudity are prohibited.
[Amended 11-21-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-78]
F. 
Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private, without prior written consent of the Department of Parks and Public Property.
G. 
Build or attempt to build a fire, except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Department of Parks and Public Property. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco, paper or other inflammable material within any park or on any highways, roads or streets abutting or contiguous thereto.
H. 
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.
I. 
Gamble or participate in or abet any game of chance, except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Director of Parks and Public Property.
J. 
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 breach the public peace.
K. 
Fail to produce and exhibit any permit from the Department of Parks and Public Property he/she claims to have upon request of any authorized person who shall desire to inspect the same for the purpose of enforcing compliance with any ordinance or rule.
L. 
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.
M. 
Expose or offer for sale any article or thing, nor shall he/she station or place any stand, cart or vehicle for the transportation, sale or display of any such article or thing. Exception is here made as to any regularly licensed concessionaire acting by and under the authority and regulation of the Department of Parks and Public Property.
N. 
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.
O. 
Utilize sparkling devices and novelties as defined in N.J.S.A. 21:2-2 et seq.
[Added 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-10]
A. 
Hours parks to be open. All City parks and playgrounds shall be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Each park or playground shall be considered closed at all other times, regardless of whether or not a physical barrier is present to impede or prohibit access. No person shall enter or remain in any park or playground during the hours when such park or playground is closed.
B. 
Exceptions.
(1) 
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A, the following parks and playgrounds shall be open to the public during the following hours: during the months of November, December, January, February and March, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(2) 
The Commissioner of Parks and Public Property may extend the hours of any park or playground for special events or activities of the Recreation Department.
A. 
Special events permits. Permits for special events in parks shall be obtained by application to the Department of Parks and Public Property in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) 
A person seeking issuance of a permit hereunder shall file an application with the Department of Parks and Public Property 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) 
Any other information which the Department of Parks and Public Property shall find reasonably necessary for a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued hereunder.
(2) 
Standards for issuance of a use permit by the Department of Parks and Public Property shall include the following findings:
(a) 
That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public's enjoyment of the park.
(b) 
That the proposed activity or use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
(c) 
That the proposed activity or uses that are reasonably anticipated will not include violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
(d) 
That the proposed activity will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the City.
(3) 
A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as though the same were inserted in the permits.
(4) 
The person or persons to whom the permit is issued shall be liable for all 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. The Department of Parks and Public Property shall have the right to require any permittee to submit evidence of liability insurance covering injuries to members of the general public arising out of such permitted activities in such amounts as may be from time to time determined by the Director prior to the commencement of any activity or issuance of any permit.
(5) 
The Department of Parks and Public Property shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of violation of any rule or ordinance or upon good cause shown.
A. 
The Department of Parks and Public Property and park attendants shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Department of Parks and Public Property and any park attendant shall have the authority to eject from the park area any person or persons acting in violation of this chapter.
B. 
The Department of Parks and Public Property and any park attendant shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing or device in the park or used in violation of this chapter. This chapter shall also be enforced by the Police Department of the City.
Any person who shall violate or fail to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be subject, upon conviction, to the penalties provided in Chapter 1, Article IV, General Penalty, of this Code.