[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of High Bridge 2-9-2006 as Ch. 29 of the 2006 Code of the Borough of High Bridge. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 2-28-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-1; 2-26-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-6; 8-18-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-21; 1-26-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-01; 2-23-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-06; 6-13-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-13; 12-18-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-22A; 3-31-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-12; 3-21-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-008; 9-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-030; 7-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-033]
This entire chapter shall be deemed and construed to be an exercise of the Police power of the Borough of High Bridge, in the County of Hunterdon, for the preservation and protection of public safety, and all of its provisions shall be liberally construed with a view to the effectuation of such purpose.
[Amended 4-22-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-016]
A. 
All public parks, playgrounds, and open space areas, excluding the Borough golf course, Union Forge Park, and the Commons Park, which are owned and operated by the Borough of High Bridge, shall be open to the public from dawn to dusk, seven days per week; provided, however, that when any program or event duly authorized by the Borough of High Bridge or its designee is in progress that particular section or part of the public park or playground in which the program or event is being conducted shall not be entered or interfered with until the program has concluded.
B. 
Union Forge Park and the Commons Park will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
C. 
The recycling area at the rear of the Commons on the Wye located on Main Street shall be open to High Bridge residents two Saturdays per month from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m., March 15 through November 15. The area shall remain closed from November 16 through March 14. Council shall approve the Saturday schedule each February. Said schedule shall be posted on the Borough website and shall be published in the Borough newsletter if possible due to so.
Any formalized program or event organizing 30 or more people, or requesting exclusive use of any Borough property or facility for any period of time regardless of the number of people, must be duly authorized by the Borough of High Bridge, or designee, by having first received an approved "permit for use of Borough property." The Borough Clerk, or designee, shall be authorized to approve such applications on behalf of the municipality.
A. 
Permission for use of Borough property shall be obtained by application to the Borough Clerk, or their designee, using the "request for use of Borough property" application form. Said application shall contain the following information:
(1) 
The name, address, daytime phone number, and email address of the applicant.
(2) 
The name, address, daytime phone number, and email of the person, persons, corporation, or association sponsoring the activity.
(3) 
The day and hours for which the permit is desired.
(4) 
The Borough property, park, or portion thereof for which such permit is desired.
(5) 
Evidence of insurance liability coverage designated by the sponsoring activity naming the Borough as additionally insured.
(6) 
Any other information which the Council shall find reasonably necessary for a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued hereunder.
B. 
A permit for use of Borough property will be issued based upon:
(1) 
The proposed activity will not detract or interfere with the general public's enjoyment of other Borough properties.
(2) 
Public health, welfare and safety will be promoted.
(3) 
Violence, crime, or disorderly conduct will not escalate.
(4) 
The proposed activity will not give rise to expenses of emergency services.
(5) 
The proposed activity will not interfere with other events outside of the requested date and time.
C. 
Within 15 working days after the receipt of a complete application, the Clerk, or their designee, can provide the status of the application with a written request from the applicant. In the event that the permit is denied, the aggrieved party may appeal to Borough Council by serving written notice to the Clerk, and Council may respond within 35 working days.
D. 
Council reserves the right to revoke any park or recreation permit upon good cause shown.
[Amended 8-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-035]
A. 
No person shall, within any of the public parks, playgrounds, open space, golf course, Lake Solitude Dam complex, and any other Borough-owned property:
(1) 
Curse or use any threatening, abusive, obscene or insulting language.
(2) 
Perform any obscene or indecent act or disrobe.
(3) 
Throw any stone or other object, substance, or missile at or to annoy any other person or persons.
(4) 
Engage in, instigate, aid, or encourage any contention or fight.
(5) 
Drive a vehicle into a restricted driving area.
(6) 
Park outside an established parking area, except for a reasonable time to take up or discharge passengers or equipment.
(7) 
Park or drive on an athletic field except for the assistance of an injured player.
(8) 
Harm or destroy any wildlife or flora in any method contrary to New Jersey State fish, game and wildlife rules and Borough ordinances.
(9) 
Tie or hitch an animal to any tree or plant.
(10) 
Remove any soil, rocks, flora or fauna, objects of historic significance or historic artifacts as defined by P.L. 2004, c. 170,[1] slag or other recyclables.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40:10D-1 et seq.
(11) 
Willfully remove any park buildings, play equipment, bathrooms, monuments or park furniture.
(12) 
Construct any structure without approval from the Mayor and Council.
(13) 
Pollute or dump in any waters.
(14) 
Picnic, fish, hunt, camp, ride horses or boat in restricted areas.
(15) 
Dump or deposit any rubbish or trash except in proper receptacles.
(16) 
Prepare a fire or use an open grill.
(17) 
Park a camping vehicle without an approved field use permit.
[Amended 2-24-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-007]
(18) 
Allow domestic animals to be out of your control or to defecate without removing feces.
(19) 
Jump from any dam or precipice into water.
(20) 
Swim in any undesignated area.
(21) 
Sell, hawk, peddle or concessionaire without a permit from the Borough.
(22) 
Paste, glue, tack or post any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription without first receiving Borough approval.
(23) 
Park or drive unauthorized motorized vehicles on the Lake Solitude Dam except with approval of Mayor and Council.
(24) 
Climbing, jumping from or otherwise entering upon the Lake Solitude Dam historic spillway or other structures.
(25) 
Skateboard, snowboard, sleigh ride, toboggan or otherwise enter upon the Lake Solitude Dam auxiliary spillway.
(26) 
Disregard established rules of conduct for use of parks, trails, and other grounds.
(27) 
Barricade, block, disallow access, or travel on any Borough property without first being granted Borough approval.
(28) 
Defecate or urinate anywhere other than an established public restroom.
(29) 
Possess or transport glass containers of any kind, unless authorized by permit.
(30) 
Possess alcoholic beverages or other intoxicating beverages, sealed or unsealed, without prior Borough approval.
(31) 
Park in space not designed for parking.
(32) 
Smoke, as defined by N.J.S.A. 26:3D-57, in and around Lake Solitude Dam.
No person shall enter upon any portion of the lawn, trails, or grounds within a public park when notified by a sign placed in such park when said grounds are identified as closed by other approved notification methods. Park closures and reopenings shall be determined by the Borough Administrator, their designee(s) or Police Department representatives for matters of public safety.
No person shall offer any article for sale, display any advertising device or distribute any circulars or cards in a public park unless otherwise approved by the Mayor and Council.
The Borough of High Bridge reserves the right with respect to any or all of the public park and recreation areas and any facilities located therein to enter into any agreement with the Board of Education of the Borough of High Bridge concerning the control and use thereof, and anything contained in this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, any use of said premises or said facilities by the Board of Education pursuant to any agreement with the Borough Council heretofore or hereafter entered into shall be free and exclusive from any control or supervision of or by the Borough Council. Field reservation requests should be submitted to the Clerk or designee to ensure availability.
[Amended 8-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-035]
Any person, corporation or other organization who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be liable to imprisonment in the county jail or in any place provided by the Borough of High Bridge for the detention of prisoners for any term not exceeding 90 days, or to a fine not exceeding $2,000, or both. The court before which any person, corporation or other organization is convicted of violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall have power to impose any fine or term of imprisonment not exceeding the maximum fixed in this chapter.
[Added 3-21-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-008[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the designation of §§ 261-1 through 261-10 as Art. I.
High Bridge Borough Dog Park, herein referred to as "dog park," is governed by this article, is located at the rear of the Commons Park and consists of a designated fence enclosure for use by the public.
The public shall be allowed to bring their dogs to the park for exercise, play and interaction exempt from leash requirements of § 120-31. All activities shall take place within the fence enclosure of the dog park. All persons utilizing the facilities of the dog park shall be subject to all rules and regulations set forth herein, in addition to all Borough ordinances.
A. 
The Borough shall not provide any supervision during the dog park hours of operation. All persons utilizing the dog park assume any and all risks associated with the use of the facility. Dog owners/handlers shall be responsible for the supervision and control of their dogs at all times. Under no circumstances shall any dog be left unattended.
B. 
All dogs must be accompanied by at least one person 18 years of age or older.
C. 
Children under the age of eight years of age are not permitted in the dog park. Children between the ages of eight years and 12 years shall be accompanied and supervised by at least one responsible adult 18 years of age or older.
D. 
Owners/handlers are required to clean up and dispose of all dog waste.
E. 
All dogs (adults and puppies) must be properly licensed as per § 120-9 and all current inoculations.
F. 
Dogs in heat or puppies under four months of age are not permitted in the dog park.
G. 
Dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior toward other dogs or people shall be immediately removed from the dog park. Continued displays of aggressive behavior may result in prohibiting the owner from bringing the dog to the dog park.
H. 
All dogs previously declared potentially dangerous as per N.J.S.A. 4:19-23 are prohibited from the dog park.
I. 
All dog bites shall be reported to the Hunterdon County Health Department at 908-788-1351 or the High Bridge Police Department.
J. 
Dog owners/handlers are limited to two dogs at any time.
K. 
Professional dog trainers shall not use the park for business purposes.
L. 
No smoking (as defined in N.J.S.A. 26:3D-57), food, or alcohol is allowed at the dog park.
M. 
The dog park shall operate between the hours of sunrise and sunset each day of the year.
Any police officer or employee of the Borough shall have the authority to eject from the dog park any person that they reasonably believe to be in violation of this article.