[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Springfield 12-14-1994 as §§ 4-1 and 4-12 of the 1994 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
GARBAGE
Putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation and consumption of food.
JUVENILE or MINOR
Any person under the age of 18 years.
PARENT
Any person having legal custody of a juvenile as a natural or adopted parent, as a legal guardian, as a person who stands in loco parentis or as a person to whom legal custody has been given by order of the court.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any and all streets, sidewalks, boulevards, alleys or other public ways and any and all public parks, squares, spaces, grounds and buildings.
REFUSE
Putrescible and nonputrescible solid wastes, except body wastes, including garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleaning, dead animals, abandoned automobiles and solid market and industrial wastes.
RUBBISH
Nonputrescible solid wastes consisting of both combustible and noncombustible wastes, such as paper, wrappings, cigarettes, cardboard, tin cans, yard clippings, leaves, wood, glass, bedding, crockery and similar materials.
[Amended 11-13-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-6]
The rules and regulations promulgated herein or under the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all parks, playgrounds and recreation areas owned or under the jurisdiction of the Township.
The Township Council, by resolution, may adopt regulations as it may choose to facilitate the operation and control all parks, playgrounds and recreational areas owned or under its jurisdiction, provided that they are initially posted on the Township bulletin board at the Municipal Hall and at the park, playground and recreation area.
No person in a park, playground or recreational area owned or under the jurisdiction of the Township shall:
A. 
Use threatening, abusive or insulting language.
B. 
Do any obscene or indecent act.
C. 
Throw stones or other missiles.
D. 
Annoy persons.
E. 
Interfere with, encumber, obstruct or render dangerous any public way, path, walk, bridge or public place.
F. 
Do any act tending or amounting to a breach of the peace.
G. 
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or remove any fence, shelter, seat, bridge railing or support, statue, erection, tree, structure, equipment, facilities or other property, either real or personal.
H. 
Introduce, carry or fire any firecrackers, torpedoes or fireworks.
I. 
Engage in, instigate, aid or encourage a contention or fight.
J. 
Assault any person.
K. 
Participate in betting, gambling, gaming or using or operating any slot machine, gaming table or other gambling instrument.
L. 
Solicit gifts or contributions for any purpose without permission of the Township Council.
M. 
Possess or consume alcoholic beverages without prior permission of the Township Council and compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws of New Jersey.
N. 
Be under the influence of intoxicating alcoholic beverages.
O. 
Possess, use or be under the influence of drugs, as defined and prohibited by Title 24 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes.
P. 
Give entertainment of any kind, transact business of any kind or hold public meetings or assemblies without permission of the Township Council.
Q. 
Occupy a camp or campground or sleep overnight without permission of the Township Council.
R. 
Sell, vend or give away any article, merchandise or other matter, or distribute handbills or circulars, without permission of the Township Council.
S. 
Kindle, build, maintain or use a fire, except in camp stoves or fireplaces provided for that purpose, or in an approved container.
T. 
Post, paint or affix or erect any sign, advertisement, banner or any other matter for attracting attention without permission of the Township Council.
U. 
Possess or use guns, knives, slingshots, bows and arrows or other dangerous weapons, except during hunting and special game seasons in areas of the park specifically designated and posted by the Township Council for such purpose, subject to the New Jersey game laws.
V. 
Possess or use any explosive material that may cause an explosion when used either alone or in combination with some other material to produce rapid flaming, combustion or administer a destructive blow to surrounding objects.
W. 
Hunt, kill, injure or disturb any animal or bird, except during hunting and special game seasons in areas of the park specifically designated and posted by the Township Council for such purpose, subject to the New Jersey game laws.
X. 
Ride, drive, lead or keep a horse other than on such roads, trails and areas designated by the Township Council, which areas shall not include ball fields, tennis courts or other similar areas specially constructed or posted for specific sports.
Y. 
Dogs shall be permitted, provided that they are restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length and led or controlled by a person capable of controlling such dog. During hunting and special game seasons dogs shall be permitted to run at large in areas of the park specifically designated and posted by the Township Council for hunting, subject to the New Jersey games laws.
Z. 
Drive or park any motor vehicles, including minibikes, snowmobiles or other power-driven equipment, on any road except the paved or designated roads or parking areas.
AA. 
Trap any animals other than in areas of the park specifically designated and posted by the Township Council for such purpose, subject to the New Jersey game laws.
BB. 
Bring in or dump, 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 left anywhere on the grounds, 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 by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.
CC. 
Dig up or remove any dirt, stone, rock or other substance whatever.
DD. 
Enter or remain within a park, playground and recreational area other than during the hours it is open to the public.
No person shall enter into or remain within a park, playground and recreation area of the Township between one hour after sundown and one hour after sunrise, except with the permission of the Township Council.
A. 
Required; time for application. Local organizations within the Township desiring to use the park, playground or recreational areas or facilities on a group basis must make application, in writing, to the Township Clerk at least 30 days prior to the date desired. Applications shall be available at the Springfield Township Municipal Hall.
B. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B, regarding required information, was repealed 4-12-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-01.
C. 
Standards for issuance of permit.
(1) 
Standards for issuance of a use permit by the Township Council include the following findings:
(a) 
That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the local public enjoyment of the park.
(b) 
That the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
(c) 
That the proposed activity or uses that are reasonably anticipated will not include violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
(d) 
That the proposed activity will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense or police protection by the Township.
(e) 
That the facilities desired have not been reserved for other use at the date and hour requested in the application.
(2) 
The Township Council may refer the application to other official Township bodies for study and a written advisory report.
D. 
Appeal of denial of permit.
(1) 
Within 35 days after receipt of an application, the Township Council shall apprise an applicant, in writing, of its reasons for refusing a permit, and any aggrieved person shall have the right to appeal to the Township Council to reconsider its decision by serving written notice thereof on the Township Clerk within five days of such refusal.
(2) 
A copy of such notice shall be sent by the Clerk to any of the official Township bodies the application was referred to by the Township Council for study and a written advisory report. The Council shall reconsider the application under the standards set forth under Subsection C hereof and sustain or amend its decision within 35 days from the receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Council on appeal shall be final.
[Amended 4-12-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-01]
A. 
Care and cleaning of equipment and grounds. Organizations utilizing park or recreational facilities are responsible for the care of equipment and grounds utilized and the cleaning of the area at the completion of the event. The Township shall require the permittee to provide remuneration to the Township for any damages to the facilities and/or repairs or replacement of damaged equipment. No structures or equipment of any kind are to be added to the recreation facility without prior approval of the Springfield Township.
B. 
Liability insurance. Organizations utilizing park or recreational areas must present proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance, with the Springfield Township as the certificate holder, covering injuries to persons and damage to property during the period the facility is being used.
C. 
Traffic control. Organizations utilizing park or recreational areas shall be responsible for the coordination of traffic control and parking with the Township Police Department.
D. 
Background checks. Organizations must submit documentation of background checks for any coaches, supervisors, and/or other affiliated adults.
E. 
Parking. Parking is allowed in the designated vehicle parking areas only. Vehicles are not to proceed past the boundaries of the parking areas.
F. 
Usage. All activities will begin and end within the time frame as requested and/or approved.
A. 
The Township Council shall have the right to refuse or cancel the use of any facility to organizations or individuals for reasons of repair, construction or other reasons that may be detrimental to the care and upkeep of the area, or for such other reasons as the Council may find to be in the best interests of the Township.
B. 
Violations of any of the rules, regulations and/or applicable ordinances may result in the cancellation of the permit, and/or the denial of future permits, and fines as established by the Code of the Springfield Township
[Added 4-12-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-01]
The provisions, prohibitions and requirements of this chapter shall be enforceable by state and Township police and supervisory personnel designated by the Township Council.