[Adopted 8-19-1974; amended 7-18-2022 by Ord. No. 5-2022]
It shall be unlawful for any person in a public park or recreation area to:
A. 
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, pavings or paving materials, water lines or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, 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 restrooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition.
C. 
Dig or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs or 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 seed of any tree or plant, dig in or otherwise disturb grassed 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, kill, wound, trap, abuse, shoot, pursue, or throw missiles at, remove, or have in his possession any animals, reptile, or bird found within a Township park, nor disturb its habitat within a Township park; or knowingly buy, receive, have in his possession, sell or give away any such animal, reptile, bird or eggs so taken, except as may be specifically provided for, and being in accordance with state/federal fish and game laws.
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 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 said waters.
J. 
Have brought in or shall dump in, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse, or other trash. No such refuse or trash shall be placed in any waters in 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. 
Drive or park any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads or parking areas, or such areas as may on occasion be specifically designated as temporary areas by the Greenwich Township Chief of Police.
L. 
Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night in established parking areas or elsewhere in the park areas. No motor vehicle shall be parked in said park areas from 1/2 hour after sunset until sunrise, except as otherwise permitted.
M. 
Ride a bicycle without reasonable regard to the safety of others.
N. 
Leave a bicycle lying on the ground or paving or set against trees, or in any place or position where a person may trip over or be injured by it.
O. 
Swim, bathe, or wade in any waters or waterways in any park, except at places designated for boating by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Greenwich. Such activity shall be in accordance with applicable regulations as are now or will hereafter be adopted.
P. 
Bring into or operate any boat, raft, or other water raft, whether motor powered or not, upon any waters, except at places designated for boating by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Greenwich. Such activity shall be in accordance with applicable regulations as are now or will hereafter be adopted.
Q. 
Navigate, direct, or handle any boat in such a manner as to unjustifiably or unnecessarily annoy or frighten or endanger the occupant or any other boat.
R. 
Shooting into park areas from beyond boundaries is forbidden. No person shall carry or possess firearms of any description, or air-rifles, spring-guns, bow 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.
S. 
Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose. Attendants shall have the authority to regulate activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum use of the comfort and convenience of all. Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end.
T. 
Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available, then trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.
U. 
Set up tents, shacks, or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping without approval as required by § 500-3.
V. 
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.
W. 
Ride a horse.
X. 
Leave a child or children unattended. All children shall be under adult supervision.
While in 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 or drink the same at any time in a park, playground or recreation area, or possess or be under the influence of any controlled dangerous substance or other behavior altering substance. Violators shall be subject to the penalties listed in § 500-6.
B. 
Smoke, including the inhaling, exhaling, burning or possession of any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other combustible tobacco or cannabis product in any manner or in any form. This shall include e-cigarettes (defined as an electronic device that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device) including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, vape pen, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe, or any other type of artificial cigarettes that produce emissions.
C. 
Have in his possession, or set or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn, any firecrackers, torpedo rockets, or other fireworks, firecrackers, or explosives or 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 Chief of Police permits may be given for conducting properly supervised fireworks in designated park areas.
D. 
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. Dog owners shall be responsible for the cleanup of any dog feces voided by their pet.
E. 
Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private.
F. 
Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Chief of Police or Fire Chief of the Township of Greenwich. 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.
G. 
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.
H. 
Gamble, or participate in or abet any game of chance except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Mayor and Council.
I. 
Go on the ice on any of the waters except such areas as are designated as skating fields, and provided a safety signal is displayed.
J. 
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.
K. 
Expose or offer for sale any article or thing, nor shall be 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 Mayor and Council or their designee.
L. 
Paste, glue, tack, or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription whatever, nor shall any person erect or cause to be erected any sign whatsoever on any park lands or highways or roads in any park.
A. 
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year during designated hours. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall be posted therein for public information and shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Mayor and Council. Unless otherwise posted, hours of operation for all parks and playgrounds in the Township of Greenwich shall be from sunrise to sunset.
B. 
Established athletic fields shall be used by Greenwich Township organized sports leagues on a priority basis.
C. 
Organizations may apply for the use of athletic fields and park facilities (including for overnight camping) at the Clerk's office. The person applying for use of the athletic fields and park facilities shall file a written application to the Mayor and Council, with a copy to the secretary of the Recreation Committee stating:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant;
(2) 
The name and address of the person or organization sponsoring the event or activity;
(3) 
The day(s) and hours for which the permit is desired;
(4) 
The specific park and/or recreation area for which the permit is desired;
(5) 
The nature of the activity desired and the approximate number of persons to be involved in the activity.
D. 
The Township Administrator or his/her designee shall approve or deny applications for the use of athletic fields and park facilities. Approvals may include certain conditions imposed including but not limited to the posting of escrow fees related to the event, insurance and/or fees for the anticipated costs for police and/or public works support services.
E. 
No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, or handicap be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in any park facility, program, or activity.
F. 
Discrimination on the basis of residence, including preferential reservation, membership, or annual permit systems is prohibited except to the extent that reasonable differences in admission and other fees may be maintained on the basis of residence in any park.
The Township Council, park attendants hired by said Council and/or the Township Police Department shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. Any park attendant shall have the authority to eject from the park area any person or persons acting in violation of this chapter.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant hereto, shall upon conviction be subject to the replacement, repair or restoration of any damaged park property and shall be subject to a fine of not exceeding $1,000 and in default of payment thereof may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, in the discretion of the Municipal Judge.
The Mayor and Council may from time to time, with the advice of the Recreation Committee, prescribe such additional and reasonable rules and regulations for the use of the township parks, playgrounds and recreation areas as it deems proper. Such additional rules and regulations shall be adopted by resolution and shall be posted at prominent places in the subject areas.