[Amended 9-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-19]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this article is to provide rules and regulations for use of, and conduct in, the parks and recreation areas of the Township of Lower. These rules and regulations are specifically created to promote the public health, safety and general welfare throughout Lower Township parks and recreation areas.
B.
Applicability and designation of approving agency.
(1)
This article shall apply to all parks and recreation areas under the jurisdiction of the Township, unless expressly exempted. For the issuance of "Use of Facility" forms, authorizations, granting of approval and other actions, the approving agency shall be the Department of Parks and Recreation.
(2)
Anyone requesting to use parks or other recreation areas for a group, organization, leagues or team must complete a "Use of Facilities" form. Applicants shall submit a completed "Use of Facilities" form to the Department of Parks and Recreation within 12 working days of the desired date(s). An applicant may not use park/facilities until written permission is received from the Department of Parks and Recreation.
(3)
The Department of Parks and Recreation may postpone, cancel or discontinue use of any field or facility. The Department reserves the right to suspend or expel any organization, group or team from use of athletic facilities in recreation areas and/or parks for noncompliance with the rules and regulations for parks and recreation areas.
C.
Hours of operation.
(1)
The following hours of operation are hereby established for each individual Township-owned park and recreation area:
(a)
Clem Mulligan Park
Location: 202 Caroline Avenue, Villas, NJ 08251
Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to Dusk
(b)
Lower Township Recreation Center Playground
Location: 2600 Bayshore Road, Villas, NJ 08251
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
(c)
Rotary Park
Location: 2900 Bayshore Road, Villas, NJ 08251
Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to Dusk
(d)
Mindy Park
Location: Mindy Avenue, North Cape May, NJ 08204
Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to Dusk
(e)
Mitnick Park (also known as Jonathan Hoffman Park)
Location: 3913 Bayshore Avenue, North Cape May, NJ 08204
Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to Dusk.
(f)
David Douglass Memorial Park (also known as Canal Park)
Location: Beach Drive, North Cape May, NJ 08204
Hours of Operation: Dawn to Dusk
(g)
Freeman Douglass Park (also known as Bennett's Crossing)
Location: 677 Route 9, Erma, NJ 08204
Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to Dusk
(h)
Diamond Beach Park
Location: Rochester & Seaview Avenue, Diamond Beach, NJ 08260
Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to Dusk
** NO PICKLEBALL UNTIL 8:00 a.m.
(i)
Bayshore Pickle Ball
Location: 2600 Bayshore Road, Villas, NJ 08251
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to Dusk
(2)
The aforementioned hours of operation shall not apply to Township-sponsored/sanctioned events.
(a)
Adult/parental supervision of minor children utilizing parks and recreation areas is strongly encouraged for safety purposes. It shall be unlawful for any person to enter or remain in any Township park or recreation area outside the designated hours of operation. Violators may be subject to penalties as provided in the general penalty provisions of the Township Code.
D.
Structures, plants, trees, earth and rubbish. It shall be unlawful for any person in a public park or recreation area to:
(1)
Mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any buildings, tables, benches, playground equipment, railings, fences, nets, goals, paving, water lines or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances whatsoever, whether real or personal property of the Township or located on the real or personal property of the Township.
(2)
Fail to operate and maintain concession stands and restrooms in a neat and sanitary condition.
(3)
Dig or remove any soil, tree, shrub or plant; or to damage any soil, tree, shrub or plant; or dig in grass areas.
(4)
Transport or place any rubbish, refuse, garbage or other material that pollutes or interferes with use and enjoyment in any park or recreation area. Such items shall be deposited in receptacles so provided. Where receptacles are not provided, all such waste will be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence and such waste shall be properly disposed of elsewhere.
(5)
Bring any glass container into a park or recreation area.
(6)
Cause or permit any animal to run loose.
(7)
Have animals other than service animals in any park or recreation area.
(8)
Use and/or operate equipment, including playground equipment, within parks and recreation areas during inclement weather events, and/or when wet or frozen conditions exist.
(9)
Wear a bicycle helmet while using or operating equipment, including playground equipment, within parks and recreation areas.
(10)
Individuals utilizing parks and recreation areas shall refrain from chaining and/or securing bicycles and other personal items to equipment, including playground equipment.
E.
Vehicles. It shall be unlawful for any person in a public park or recreation area to:
(1)
Drive any vehicle on any area other than one designated for parking or driving.
(2)
Park a vehicle anywhere except on a designated parking area.
(3)
Leave a bicycle on the ground or pavement or in any place or position where another person may trip over or be injured by it. Bicycles must be placed in a bicycle rack.
F.
Firearms and weapons.
(1)
It shall be unlawful for any person other than law enforcement officers, and/or retired law enforcement officers who maintain a retired law enforcement officer permit to carry a handgun, to carry or otherwise possess or control a destructive device or weapon in any park or recreation area.
(2)
Destructive weapons include but are not limited to all firearms, knives and other items used for the purpose of harm to another person or property.
H.
Advertising, assemblages, entertainment and sale of merchandise.
(1)
No person shall post, paint, affix, distribute, place, cast or leave any bill, billboard, placard, ticket, handbill, circular or advertisement without prior approval by the Township.
(2)
No one shall operate for advertising purposes any musical instrument or soundtrack.
(3)
No one shall hold or conduct political assemblages or campaigning activities in any park or recreation area.
(4)
No person shall expose or offer for sale any article in any park or recreation area without a license and written permission from Lower Township.
I.
Alcoholic beverages, alms and gambling. While in a public park or recreation area, no person shall:
J.
Picnics. It shall be unlawful for any person or group of persons to hold a picnic in any park, except in areas set aside or specifically designated as picnic areas.
K.
Fires and lighted materials. No person shall kindle, build, maintain or use a fire except in places provided for such purpose. Any fire shall be continuously under the care and direction of a competent person from the time it is kindled until it is extinguished.
L.
Additional prohibited acts. It shall be unlawful for any person in a park or recreation area to:
(1)
Play golf or hit golf balls in any public park or recreation area.
(2)
Camp or stay overnight.
(3)
Enter an area posted as "closed to the public."
(4)
Skateboard or roller-skate.
(5)
Use areas other than for their intended use.
(6)
Disturb or unreasonably interfere with any person or group occupying any area or participating in any activity.
M.
Authorized use and issuing violations for prohibited and unlawful uses. All authorizations, approvals, denials, violations and determinations of unlawful use shall be issued in consideration of the following factors:
(1)
Effect on the public health, safety and general welfare.
(2)
Compatibility with the surrounding park and recreational areas.
(3)
Compatibility with other people using the park and recreational areas.
(4)
Alternative forums for the use.
(5)
Length of the use.
(6)
Likelihood of depriving others of use of the park or recreational area for a substantial period of time.
(7)
Frequency of use.
(8)
History of prior unlawful use.