Editor's Note: Prior ordinances codified herein include
portions of Ordinance Nos. 457, 823, 939, 945, 986, 1002, 1264, 1368.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide standards and regulations
for the use of parks, recreational facilities and recreational programs
in accord with Revised Statutes of the State of New Jersey (R.S. 40:61-1).
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall be
used as herein defined:
Shall mean lands and public premises owned or leased by the
Township of Ocean in the County of Monmouth which are dedicated by
map or deed to the Township for recreational purposes or declared
by any action of the Township of Ocean to be for recreational use
by the public.
Shall mean the duly appointed personnel of the human services
department.
Shall mean any person, either actually living or maintaining
a residence in the Township of Ocean, County of Monmouth and declaring
such municipality to constitute his legal residence at the time of
the use or enjoyment of the privileges herein provided.
a.
All parks shall be open for use between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and
sunset. They shall be officially closed from sunset until 7:00 a.m.
The recreation office may alter the opening and closing times of the
parks, when it is in the public interest to do so.
b.
Any section or part of any park may be declared by the recreation
office closed to the public at any time and for any interval of time,
either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals and either entirely
or merely to certain uses or when same is filled to capacity or when
it is in the public interest to do so.
[Ord. 1659, § II; Ord. 1828, § I; Ord. No. 2016-2261]
a.
No person shall enter upon or use any park facility or area which
is closed to the public, unless so authorized to do so by the recreation
office.
b.
No person shall have in their possession or bring to a park or outdoor
recreational area any glass container or other glass object.
c.
No person shall willfully mark, deface, disfigure, damage, tamper
with, displace, or remove any trees, shrubbery, flowers, buildings,
equipment, signs, tables, fences, soil or stone, or any other item,
temporary or permanent which is included in a park or recreational
facility.
d.
No person shall fail to cooperate in maintaining restrooms and washrooms
and other recreational buildings and facilities in a clean and sanitary
condition.
e.
No papers, debris, cans, refuse or any other materials or property
in the nature of debris or refuse shall be left or deposited in or
on the property comprising the park or any area thereof.
f.
All litter, refuse, and recyclable materials will be deposited in
appropriate containers as provided by the Township. Where receptacles
are not provided, all such material shall be carried away from the
park by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed
of elsewhere.
g.
No person shall bring to a park for the purpose of discarding or
dumping any refuse, grass, leaves, brush, or any item or material.
h.
All pets shall be restrained at all times on adequate leashes not
greater than eight feet in length which is held by a responsible person.
i.
Persons accompanying pets are responsible for the immediate removal
of feces.
j.
Certain areas of the parks may be designated as restricted from pets
by the recreation office, when it is in the public interest to do
so.
k.
No person shall hunt, harm, frighten, kill, trap, shoot, or throw
objects at any animal or bird; nor shall any person remove or be in
possession of the young of any animal or the eggs, nest or young of
any bird.
l.
No person shall drive or park any motor vehicle, including but not
limited to automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, and any and all
motorized recreational vehicles, on any area except the paved park
roads and parking areas or such other areas as specifically posted.
m.
No person shall exceed the speed limit of 10 miles per hour or as
designated on roads within any park or recreation area.
n.
No person shall use park drives or parking lots for the purpose of
demonstrating any vehicle or for the purpose of instructing another
to drive or operate any vehicle.
o.
No person shall leave a vehicle standing or parked in parks or recreational
areas when those areas are closed, unless so authorized by the recreation
office.
p.
No person shall construct or erect any structure of whatever kind,
whether permanent or temporary except as authorized by the recreation
office.
q.
No person shall consume or be in possession of alcoholic beverages
in parks or recreation areas, except in designated areas and under
conditions authorized by the recreation office.
r.
No person shall solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, or
engage in the business of soliciting, distributing, selling, or peddling
any liquids, edibles, goods, wares, merchandise, services, or circulars
in any park or recreation area unless authorized by the recreation
office.
s.
No person shall post by any means or erect or cause to be erected,
any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription whatever, in any
park or recreation area or highways or roads adjacent thereto, without
authorization of the recreation office.
t.
No person shall carry or possess fireworks, explosives, 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.
u.
Fires are permitted only in grills provided by the Township of Ocean
in areas designated as picnic facilities.
v.
No person shall drop, throw, or otherwise scatter lighted matches
or flammable material within any park or any highways, roads, or streets
abutting or contiguous thereto. No person shall build or attempt to
build a fire except in designated areas or as authorized by the recreation
office.
w.
No person shall leave a bicycle in other than those designated bicycle
parking areas or utilize bicycles or other recreational equipment
without regard for the safety of self or others.
x.
No person shall utilize any recreational facility for a purpose other
than that for which it was intended.
y.
No person shall engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive,
or insulting language or engage in any disorderly conduct or behavior
tending to breach the public peace.
z.
No person shall bring to a park any horse or other farm animal or
wild animal without the written consent of the recreation office.
aa.
No person shall swim, wade, or bathe in any waters within or adjacent
to any park.
bb.
No person shall go onto the ice on any of the waters within or adjacent
to any park except such areas as are designated for skating and provided
an authorized safety signal is displayed.
cc.
Feeding of Migratory and Wild Waterfowl.
1.
Statement of Purpose. It has been determined that the presence of
large numbers of migratory and wild waterfowl on or around public
lands, ponds, lakes, streams and other bodies of water within the
Township of Ocean creates a public health nuisance due to the accumulation
of droppings in and around said public lands, ponds, lakes, streams
and other bodies of water which is inimical to the health and general
welfare of the public. The purpose of this ordinance is to prevent
such conduct that may attract such migratory and wild waterfowl to
the properties within the Township.
2.
Definitions. As used in this paragraph, the term "migratory waterfowl"
and/or "wild waterfowl" shall be defined to include those nondomesticated
species of birds commonly known as "swans," "geese," "brant," "seagulls,"
"river and sea ducks" and any other waterfowl that generally follows
a seasonal migration pattern.
3.
Feeding of Migratory or Wild Waterfowl Prohibited. No person or persons
shall feed, cause to be fed or provide food for migratory or wild
waterfowl within the Township of Ocean on lands either publicly or
privately owned.
4.
Exceptions. This paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit humane
acts towards migratory or wild waterfowl in individual cases, such
as temporary nurturing of a wounded bird on one's own premises.
5.
Prohibited Conditions. No person or persons shall create or foster
any condition or allow any condition to exist or continue which results
in a congregation or congestion of migratory or wild waterfowl or
in an accumulation of waterfowl feces or droppings on private or public
property within the Township of Ocean creating a public health nuisance
or in any manner threatening the health, safety and welfare of the
public and or the waterfowl.
6.
Enforcement. The police department, community development office
and the health officer including his or her designee are hereby authorized
and directed to enforce the provision of this paragraph.
7.
Violations and Penalties. Any person or persons convicted of a violation
of any of the provisions of this paragraph shall be subject to penalties
as are contained in the general penalty provision of the Township
of Ocean codified ordinances.
dd.
No person shall smoke, chew or possess lighted cigarettes, pipes,
cigars, electronic cigarettes or any other type of tobacco or cannabis
product at recreation facilities which includes playgrounds, athletic
fields, tennis courts, and trailways. Outdoor rental facilities, which
include designated picnic groves and the Joe Palaia Park festival
grounds, are excluded except that the smoking, chewing, or possessing
of lighted cigarettes, pipes, cigars, electronic cigarettes or any
other type of cannabis product shall still not be permitted.
[Ord. No. 2016-2261; amended 8-12-2021 by Ord. No. 2362]
[Ord. 2018, § I]
a.
Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to prohibit the feeding
of unconfined wildlife in any park, privately owned land or on any
other property owned or operated by the Township of Ocean, so as to
protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties
for failure to comply.
b.
FEED
MIGRATORY WATERFOWL AND/OR WILD WATERFOWL
PERSON
WILDLIFE
Definitions. For the purposes of this subsection, the following terms,
phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings stated
herein unless their use in the text of this subsection clearly demonstrates
a different meaning. When not consistent with the context, words used
in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural
number include the singular number, and words used in the singular
number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory
and not merely directory.
Shall mean to give, place, expose, deposit, distribute, or
scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting
or enticing wildlife.
Shall mean and include those nondomesticated species of birds
commonly known as swans, geese, brant, seagulls, river and sea ducks
and any other waterfowl that generally follows a seasonal migratory
pattern.
Shall mean any individual, corporation, company, partnership,
firm, association, or political subdivision of this State subject
to municipal jurisdiction.
Shall mean all animals that are neither human nor domesticated.
c.
Prohibited Conduct. No person shall feed, in any public park or on
any other property owned or operated by the Township of Ocean or on
any privately owned lands, any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife
(for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks, or rehabilitation
centers, or confined wildlife at environmental education centers).
d.
Feeding of Migratory or Wild Waterfowl Prohibited. No person or persons
shall feed, cause to be fed or provide food for migratory or wild
waterfowl within the Township of Ocean on lands privately owned.
e.
Prohibited Conditions. No person shall create or foster any condition
or allow any condition to exist or continue which results in a congregation
or congestion of migratory or wild waterfowl or in an accumulation
of waterfowl feces or droppings on private or public property within
the Township of Ocean creating a public health nuisance or in any
manner threatening the health, safety and welfare of the public and/or
the waterfowl.
f.
Enforcement. The police department, community development office
and the health officer including his or her designee are hereby authorized
and directed to enforce the provision of this subsection.
g.
Violations and Penalties. Any person convicted of a violation of
any of the provisions of this subsection shall be subject to penalties
as are contained in the general penalty provision of the Township
of Ocean codified ordinances.
[Ord. 2018, § I]
Any person violating the regulations governing the usage of parks and recreational facilities of the Township, may be asked to leave the premises and/or be subject to fines and penalties as established in Chapter 3 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Ocean.
[Ord. 1659, § II]
a.
Individuals, families, or groups not exceeding 10 persons may utilize
any park facility at will, during normal hours of operation. However,
in all cases, those with permitted, reserved, and exclusive use of
any facility authorized by the recreation office take precedence in
use.
b.
Groups larger than 10 persons may be required to obtain a permit
for utilization of any park facility.
[Ord. 1659, § II; Ord. 1695, § I; Ord.
2036, § I; Ord. No. 2015-2247]
a.
Usage of indoor recreational and picnic facilities at any of the
Township's parks or recreation buildings owned or leased by the Township
of Ocean, by a resident or nonresident service organization, private
concern or individual for social events or gatherings shall be permitted
upon obtaining a permit from the recreation office on a first-come,
first-served basis. Those organizations, concerns, or individuals
shall follow the procedures established by the recreation office and
pay the Township such fees as provided for below.
b.
The closing hours for the use of any indoor recreational facility
shall be: 11:00 p.m. (prevailing time) Sunday through Thursday and
12:00 a.m. (prevailing time) on Friday and Saturday.
c.
In addition to fees for rental of indoor and picnic facilities, the
recreation office shall collect a security deposit of $200 for indoor
facilities and $100 for picnic facilities, for each occasion of use.
This fee will be payable in cash and is refundable in full upon leaving
the facility in a condition which is deemed satisfactory by the recreation
office. If the facility is left in an unsatisfactory condition, the
Township will refund only that portion of the security deposit which
is not used to return the facility to a satisfactory condition. The
security deposit may also be forfeited if inappropriate behavior/action
warrants the termination of the event.
For use of the southeast quadrant of the Deal Test Site for
special events, organizations will post a security deposit in the
amount of $1,000 to ensure the return of the site to original condition
and the maintenance of order during the event.
d.
The Township reserves the right to reject the usage of Township facilities
by any organization or individual for reasons of the public good.
e.
Residency within the Township shall be based on whether the individual,
or in the case of an organization over 50% of the membership, resides
within the Township.
f.
A Facility Supervisor will be scheduled when meeting rooms are rented
for private social events. These part-time employees will be on premises
from the start of the event until the facility is cleaned and locked.
At the discretion of the Recreation Director, a Facility Supervisor
may also be scheduled when an event is held that is not social in
nature.
g.
The individual or organization renting or reserving any recreational
facility assumes full responsibility for the conduct and safety of
the guests at that event.
h.
(Reserved)
i.
Additional requirements for teen social functions:
1.
Adult chaperone ratio of one adult/10 teens required.
2.
Complete guest list of teens invited to function will be provided
to recreation office prior to event.
3.
The number of teen guests (12-19 years) is limited to a maximum of
60.
4.
Adult securing use of the facility for a teen function must reside
within the Township of Ocean.
[Ord. 1659, § II; Ord. 2036, § I; Ord.
2143; Ord. No. 2014-2221]
a.
The proposed field reservation fee schedule as found in Subsection 16-5.3, includes per use rates for residents, nonresidents, nonprofit entities and private entities for softball, baseball and multi-purpose fields. It is acknowledged that there are youth based organizations within the Township which provide a significant service to our residents through the provision of youth athletic programs. Accommodations within the reservation fee schedule have been addressed to acknowledge such services.
b.
It is the intent of the Department of Human Services to continue
to have facilities open to residents of our community and their families
for informal use of our athletic fields. Although if a reservation
is requested, it is proposed to have fees applied. It is expected
that organized groups and/or leagues obtain facility reservations
prior to use of Township facilities.
c.
Requests for On-Going Use of Outdoor Facilities. Requests for ongoing
use of outdoor facilities will be accepted as follows:
d.
Scheduling Procedure Associated with Outdoor Facilities.
1.
Reservations: Groups/individuals who wish to secure a field reservation
shall comply with the following:
(a)
Complete a request form as provided by the Department of Human
Services. Applicant must be at least 22 years of age.
(b)
Provide a certificate of insurance naming the Township of Ocean
as certificate holder and additional insured.
(1)
If the field reservation is secured by an individual who is
not associated with any said organization/league and therefore is
unable to forward a certificate of insurance from an organization/league,
the individual shall sign and submit a Hold Harmless as provided by
the Township.
(c)
Submit the established reservation fee, if applicable, as noted in Subsection 16-5.3. All checks are payable to the Township of Ocean.
(d)
Established fees are assessed for single one-time use and multiple/on-going
use.
(e)
The Township of Ocean reserves the right to limit the number
of reservations based on the good of the general public for facility
availability and maintenance needs of the athletic facilities.
e.
Reservation Fees.
2.
Individual reservation requests (one-time use) shall be assessed
the reservation fee based on the permanent residency of the individual
submitting the request.
3.
Reservation requests, submitted on behalf of a team for repeated
use of a field, shall include a team roster to determine resident
or nonresident fee schedule. If no roster is submitted, nonresident
rates shall apply.
4.
Reservation requests, submitted on behalf of an organization for
repeated use of a field, shall be assessed the reservation fee based
on the location of the organization submitting the request.
f.
Waiver of Fees.
2.
Reservation fees and light fees may be waived if it is determined
that the following criteria(s) have been satisfied based on the point
system noted. At least five points are needed for a waiver of fees.
(a)
Township of Ocean community based organizations (or a similarly
constituted entity). (2 points)
(b)
Any organization which actively publicizes program for which
reservation is requested, to all residents with no priority given
to members of a specific organizations. (2 points)
(c)
At least 75% of the participants involved in the activity for
which the reservation request is made, permanently reside within the
Township of Ocean. (2 points)
(d)
A youth based organization which requires volunteers to participate
in the Rutgers Youth Sports Council Training and also provide criminal
background checks for the volunteers, involved in the program for
which reservation is requested, who direct unsupervised contact with
youth. (1 point)
(e)
Activity, for which the reservation request is made, is not
already provided through the Township or an alternate nonprofit entity.
(1 point)
4.
Refunds. Reservation fees are nonrefundable. In the event of inclement
weather which restricts use of reserved facility, an alternate date
may be schedule based on availability.
5.
Definitions.
(a)
RESIDENT (INDIVIDUAL) - An individual who permanently resides
within the Township of Ocean.
(b)
RESIDENT (TEAM) - Team contact and at least 75% of the team
roster permanently reside within the Township of Ocean.
(c)
RESIDENT (ORGANIZATION) - Organization based in, and whose primary
service area is, the Township of Ocean.
(d)
PER USE - Not to exceed a two-hour block of time.
(e)
COMMERCIAL OR PRIVATE - An entity which provides an activity,
which is not sponsored by the Township or by a registered nonprofit,
in which a fee is charged and/or a service is offered.
[Ord. 1659, § II; Ord. 1695, § I; Ord.
1741, § I; Ord. 1763, § I; Ord. 1978, § III;
Ord. 2036, § I; Ord. 2038, § I; Ord. 2096, § I;
Ord. 2142; Ord. 2143; Ord. 2177a; Ord. 2205; Ord.
No. 2014-2221; Ord. No. 2015-2247; Ord. No. 2016-2260;
amended10-25-2018 by Ord. No. 2309]
The following fees are hereby designated and established and
the recreation office is hereby authorized to charge and collect said
fees:
d.
For events in which the rental fee is waived but a Facility Supervisor
is assigned, the group will pay a fee of $25 per hour from the start
of the event until the facility is cleaned and locked (maximum of
six hours of use).
e.
A facility renter may request to extend their use of a meeting room.
If approved, there will be an additional charge of $50 per hour. This
arrangement will be considered up to four weeks prior to the scheduled
event. Events will not be extended on the day of the function.
f.
For events hosted in the large meeting room of the West Park Recreation
Center, that accommodate between 85 and 130 guests and at which alcohol
is on the premises, the Department reserves the right to schedule
a second facility supervisor at an additional cost of $100 to be paid
by the facility renter.
[Amended 12-30-2021 by Ord. No. 2374]
j.
Project Extend Fees:
[Amended 1-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2409]
1.
Special Activity Fee: $5 to $100 per participant.
2.
Registration Fee: $50 per family.
3.
Late Payment Fee: $50 per late payment in accord with registration
agreement.
4.
Maximum Family Fee for Project Extend (per month) - not to exceed
$600; does not include holiday care or half-day care fees, late fees
or returned check fees.
a.
Field Reservation Fees.
1.
Reservation Fees. The following fee schedule has been established
to reserve the softball and baseball fields located at Wanamassa Firemen's
Park. Per use shall be scheduled in two-hour blocks of time.
|
Fees
|
Resident/Field/2 1/2 Hr. Use
|
Nonresident/Field/2 1/2 Hr. Use
|
Commercial or Private/Field/2 1/2 Hr. Use
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Softball or baseball field
|
$25 - $50
|
$50 - $100
|
$85 - $170
|
|
Softball or baseball field (with lights)
|
$75 - $120
|
$110 - $200
|
$150 - $250
|
2.
Special Event Reservation Fees. A nonprofit organization that meets the criteria as set forth in Subsection 16-4.3f that requests and has reserved two or more fields at one location for the purpose of hosting a special event fundraiser (i.e., tournament) shall have its reservation fees and light fees waived although additional fees may apply from other municipal departments (Public Works, Police Department) as it pertains to traffic/crowd control, maintenance, repairs, etc.
3.
Clean-Up Fee. Reservation holders who fail to leave the facility
in appropriate condition, will be assessed a minimum $100 clean-up
fee and will jeopardize future use of municipal facilities. It is
expected that trash/recyclables will be placed in the appropriate
containers on site or carried off site if said containers have been
filled to capacity.
b.
There shall be a $10 service fee for all cancelled registrations
and facility rentals.
c.
Entities who are granted use of the festival grounds in the southeast
quadrant of the Joe Palaia Park shall pay a $600 fee per day, be responsible
for all electrical usage charges, and be responsible for all labor
costs associated with clean-up, special set-up, crowd control and
traffic control.
d.
Vendor Permit Fee. $150/season (Seasons: January through June and/or
July through December). The Township reserves the right to limit the
number of permits issued for like items (i.e., vending carts or ice
cream trucks). Vendor permit does not allow access to park locations
during Township-sponsored special events (i.e., July 4th Celebration)
or events sponsored by outside organizations which have received authorization
for park use (i.e., Soccer Club Tournament, Ocean Township Festival,
etc.).
a.
The recreation office may at its discretion discount or waive the
fee for recreation programs for those individuals demonstrating financial
hardship.
b.
The recreation office may discount or waive the fee for public service
organizations desiring to utilize any picnic, ballfield or indoor
recreation facility.
c.
The recreation office may waive or reduce fees in effort to increase
utilization and associated revenue.
Greens fee schedule noted includes reduced rates for evening
hours and participation in league play and special events and promotions.
[Added 12-8-2022 by Ord.
No. 2405]
The Township Council of the Township of Ocean does hereby declare
and establish that the municipal golf course of the Township of Ocean,
commonly known as the "The William F. Larkin Golf Course at Colonial
Terrace", shall hereafter be operated and maintained as a self-liquidating
public utility for all purposes of the Local Bond Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:2-1
et seq. and Local Budget Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-1 et seq. of the State
of New Jersey. The said golf course enterprise, together with all
real property inventory, accounts receivable, contracts or other personality,
shall hereafter be the property of the said utility.
[Added 12-8-2022 by Ord.
No. 2405]
Said utility is hereby authorized to receive such fees, rents,
rates or other charges for or in connection with the use or services
of such municipal public utility, which sums shall be held, used and
applied in accordance with the Local Bond Law and the Local Budget
Law of the State of New Jersey, as well as other applicable statutes.
[Added 12-8-2022 by Ord.
No. 2405]
Management of the utility hereinabove established shall be vested
in the Township Manager of the Township of Ocean. There is hereby
delegated to the Township Manager the power to establish reasonable
rules and regulations governing the utility and its operations.
