A.
Generally. Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, all County
parks and property shall be open to the public every day of the year
during designated hours. No person shall be in any County park or
property before or after designated hours except as otherwise authorized
or permitted by the Director.
B.
Hours. All Essex County parks shall be open to the public from dawn
until 10:00 p.m. with the following exceptions:
(1)
South Mountain Reservation [excluding the South Mountain Recreation Complex, see Subsection B(5) below], West Essex Park [excluding the Essex County Environmental Center, see Subsection B(5) below], Eagle Rock Reservation [excluding the "Highlawn Pavilion Complex"; see Subsection B(4) below], Hilltop Reservation and Mills Reservation shall be open to the public from dawn to dusk.
(2)
Riker Hill Art Park shall be open to the public from dawn to dusk. Leasing artisans shall comply with the provisions set forth in Chapter 96.
(3)
The pathway along the Orange Reservoir in the South Mountain Recreation
Complex shall be open from dawn to 12:00 midnight.
(4)
The Highlawn Pavilion Complex, comprised of Delahunty Way and the
9/11 Memorial (excluding the Highlawn Pavilion restaurant), shall
be open to the public from dawn until 12:00 midnight.
(5)
Hours of operation for County parks or County park property not otherwise
specifically provided herein shall be as provided on the County website
or telephone inquiry.
Notwithstanding § 74-7 of this article, the hours of operation shall not affect the right of the public to use paved County park roadways designated or established for motor vehicle travel as a means of a thoroughfare and strictly in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:1.1 et seq.
Notwithstanding §§ 74-7 and 74-8, any County park or property may be declared closed in whole or in part to the public by the Director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily, or at regular and stated intervals, whether daily or otherwise, and either entirely or merely to certain uses as the Director finds reasonably necessary. Nothing shall limit the Essex County Sheriff or the Essex County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator from prohibiting access or use of County park or property during a declared state of emergency.
