Township of Hampton, NJ Parks and Recreation Areas

No person in a public park and recreation area shall:

Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any building, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railing, pavings or paving materials, waterlines or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary marker or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.

(2)

Fail to cooperate in maintaining restrooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition.

[Amended 11-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-20]

(3)

Dig or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs or plants or other wood or material, or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.

(4)

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.

(5)

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 grass areas or in any other way injure the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.

(6)

Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, planters, fountains, railings, fences or any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.

(7)

Tie or hitch an animal to any tree or plant.

(8)

Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird; nor shall he remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird. Exception to the foregoing is made in that snakes known to be deadly poisonous or deadly reptiles may be killed on sight.

(9)

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 or adjacent to 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.

(10)

Have brought in or 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 or contiguous to 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.

(11)

Drive any vehicle or other power vehicle, such as mopeds, minibikes, snowmobiles or motorcycles, on any area except the park roads or parking areas or such areas as may on occasion specifically be designated as temporary areas by the Township Administrator or her/his designee.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(12)

Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area and such shall be in accordance with posted directions there and with the instruction of any attendant who may be present. No owner or driver shall cause or permit his vehicle to stand outside of designated parking spaces, except for a reasonable time to take up or discharge passengers or equipment. No motor vehicle shall be parked in said park areas from 1/2 hour after sunset until sunrise, except as otherwise permitted.

(13)

Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night in established parking areas or elsewhere in park areas.

(14)

Leave a bicycle in a place other than a bicycle rack when such is provided and there is space available.

(15)

Drive any bicycle on any area except park roads or parking areas or such areas as may on occasion be designated as temporary areas by the Township Administrator or her/his designee.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(16)

Swim, bathe or wade in any waters or waterways in or adjacent to any park, except in such waters and at such places as are provided therefor and in compliance with such regulations as are herein or may hereinafter be adopted. Nor shall any person frequent any waters or places customarily designated for the purpose of swimming or bathing or congregate thereat when such activities are prohibited by the Township Administrator or her/his designee upon a finding that such use of the water would be dangerous or otherwise inadvisable.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(17)

Frequent any waters or places designated for the purposes of swimming or bathing or congregate thereat, except between such hours of the day as shall be designated by the Township Committee for such purposes for each individual site.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(18)

Erect, maintain, use or occupy on or in any beach or bathing area any tent, shelter or structure of any kind unless there shall be an unobstructed view into said tent, shelter or structure from at least two sides, nor shall any guy wire, rope or extension brace or support be connected or fastened from any such structure to any other structure, stake, rock or other object outside thereof.

(19)

Allow himself/herself to be so covered with a bathing suit so as to indecently expose his/her person.

(20)

Dress or undress on any beach or in any vehicle, toilet or other place, except in such bathing houses or structures as may be provided for that purpose.

(21)

Bring into or operate any boat, raft or other watercraft, whether motor-powered or not, upon any waters, except at places designated for boating by the Township Committee. Such activity shall be in accordance with applicable regulations as are now or hereinafter may be adopted.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(22)

Navigate, direct or handle any boat in such a manner as to unjustifiably or unnecessarily annoy or frighten or endanger the occupant of any other boat.

(23)

Launch, dock or operate any boat of any kind on any water between the closing hour of the park at night and the opening hour of the park the following morning, nor shall any person be on, remain on or in any boat during said closed hours of the park.

(24)

Fish in any waters except in waters designated by the Township Committee for that use and under such regulations and restrictions as have or may be prescribed by the Township Committee.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(25)

Fish in any area where bathing is permitted.

(26)

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. Shooting into park areas from beyond park boundaries is forbidden.

(27)

Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose. Attendants shall have the authority to regulate the activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum use for the comfort and convenience of all. Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end.

(28)

Violate the regulation that use of individual fireplaces together with tables and benches follows the generally accepted rule of first come first served.

(29)

Use any portion of the picnic area or any of the buildings or structures therein for the purpose of holding picnics to the exclusion of other persons, nor shall any person use such areas and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded without a permit.

(30)

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.

(31)

Set up tents, shacks or any other temporary shelter at any time for any purpose, nor shall any person leave in a park after closing hours any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, such as house trailer, camp trailer, camp wagon or the like.

(32)

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 or lacrosse is prohibited except on fields and courts or areas provided therefor. Roller-skating shall be confined to those areas specifically designed for such pastime.

(33)

No horses are permitted in park area at any time except for special events and by special permit from the Township Clerk as authorized by the Township Committee.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(34)

Skateboard.

[Added 8-31-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-04]

While in a public park or recreation area, all shall conduct themselves in a proper and orderly manner and, in particular, no person shall:

(1)

Having alcoholic beverages in one's possession unless and except as specifically and expressly permitted by resolution adopted by the Hampton Township Committee in accordance with § 33-20 of this Code.

[Amended 2-10-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05; 1-31-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-01; 11-27-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-19; 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(2)

Have in one's possession or set or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn any firecrackers, torpedo rockets or other fireworks or explosives of 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 Township Committee, permits may be given for conducting properly supervised fireworks in designated park areas.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(3)

No animals are permitted in a park at any time, except that dogs used as guides for blind persons and commonly known as "Seeing Eye" dogs shall be permitted when being actively worked as Seeing Eye dogs during their presence in the park or if they are in training with proper identification.

[Amended 7-26-1988]

(4)

Appear at any place in other than proper clothing.

(5)

Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private.

(6)

Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Township Committee. 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.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(7)

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.

(8)

Gamble or participate in or abet any game of chance except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Township Committee.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(9)

Go onto the ice on any of the waters except such areas as are designated as skating fields and provided that a safety signal is displayed.

(10)

Sleep on the seats or benches or other areas or engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language or engage in any disorderly conduct or behavior tending to breach the public peace.

(11)

Fail to produce and exhibit any permit from the Township one claims to have upon request of any authorized person who shall desire to inspect the same for the purpose of enforcing compliance with any ordinance or rule.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(12)

Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.

(13)

Expose or offer for sale any article or thing, nor shall one 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 Township Committee.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(14)

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 whatever on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park with the approval of the Township Committee.

[Amended 12-8-1998 by Ord. No. 98-12]

(15)

Feed, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by Hampton Township, any wildlife. For the purpose of this subsection, “feed” shall mean to give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife. For the purpose of this subsection, “wildlife” shall mean all animals that are neither human nor domesticated and excludes confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers, or feral cats as part of an approved trap-neuter-release program). Excepted from the requirements of this subsection is baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game.

[Added 11-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-20]

Except for unusual and unforeseen circumstances, the park shall be open to the public every day of the year from dawn to dusk; provided, however, that, on Hampton Day, the closing hour shall be extended to 9:00 p.m. When and if lights are installed, the Township Committee by resolution may at its discretion extend the closing hours as it deems appropriate.

[Amended 8-31-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-04]

Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public by the Township Committee or, when emergent conditions exist, Township Administrator or her/his designee, at any time, for any interval of time, either temporary or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise) and either entirely or merely to certain uses as the Township Committee or, when emergent conditions exist, Township Administrator or her/his designee, shall find reasonably necessary.

[Amended 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

Permits for events in parks shall be obtained by application to the Township Committee in accordance with the following procedure:

[Amended 10-29-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-13; 3-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-1; 5-31-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-08]

(1)

A person seeking issuance of a permit hereunder shall file an application with the Township stating:

(a)

The name and address of the applicant, a minimum of 30 days prior to the event, to the Township at the Municipal Building during regular business hours.

(b)

The name and address of the person, persons, corporation or association sponsoring the activity and the number of participants.

(c)

The day and hours for which the permit is desired.

(d)

The park or portion thereof for which such permit is desired.

(e)

Any other information which the Township shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued hereunder.

(2)

Standards for issuance of a use permit by the Township shall include the following findings:

(a)

That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park.

(b)

That the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with 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 operation by the Township.

(e)

That the facilities desired have not been reserved for any use at the date and hour requested in the application.

(f)

Applications must be accompanied by deposit of $100 refundable after inspection of premises to determine that they are left in satisfactory condition.

(g)

That every school board or youth sports organization which applies for a use permit has established an Athletic Code of Conduct and has adopted the model policies as may be promulgated by the New Jersey Attorney General pursuant to N.J.S.A. 5:17-1 et seq. and/or prior to the promulgation of said model policies by the New Jersey Attorney General such Athletic Code of Conduct which may be adopted by the Hampton Township Committee. Failure of the school board and/or the youth sports team organization to certify to the adoption of an Athletic Code of Conduct as promulgated by the New Jersey Attorney General and/or prior to the promulgation of said model policies by the New Jersey Attorney General such Athletic Code of Conduct which may be adopted by the Hampton Township Committee shall automatically result in a denial of a use permit.

(3)

A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as though the same were inserted in said permits.

(4)

The person or persons to whom the permit is issued shall be liable for all loss, damage or injury sustained by any persons whatever by reason of the negligence of the person or persons to whom such permit shall have been issued. The Township Administrator or her/his designee shall have the right to require any permittee to submit evidence of liability insurance covering injuries to members of the general public arising out of such permitted activities in such amounts as may be from time to time determined by the Committee prior to the commencement of any activity or issuance of any permit.

(5)

Revocation. The Township Committee and/or Township Administrator shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of violation of any rule or ordinance or upon good cause shown.