This article is enacted to provide for the protection, care, and control of public parks and recreation areas in the Borough and to regulate the conduct of persons using such facilities.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PARK
Includes all public parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, and other facilities within the Borough and under the ownership of the Borough or under the control and supervision of the Mayor and Council of the Borough.[1]
SPECIAL EVENTS
Any activity or event conducted, sponsored, or organized by a group other than the Borough Recreation Committee.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 03:14, adopted 12-2-2003, amended this chapter to reconfirm the designation of the following blocks and lots as parklands in the Borough: Block 33, Lot 1 Block 45, Lot 1 Block 40, Lot 1 Block 30, Lot 1 Block 64, Lot 1
A. 
The parks are for the enjoyment of Norwood residents and guests for any proper purpose, subject to the restrictions set forth in Article I and Article II of this chapter.
B. 
The use of parks by any person or persons shall be subject to the prior right of use by the Borough Recreation Committee while engaged in actual conduct of its recreational programs.
Permits shall be required for special events as follows:
A. 
The person or persons seeking issuance of such a permit shall file an application, in writing, with the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Norwood stating:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
The name and address of the person, persons, corporation, or association sponsoring the activity, if any.
(3) 
The day and the hours for which the permit is desired.
(4) 
The park or portion thereof for which such permit is desired.
(5) 
A reliable estimate of the anticipated attendance.
(6) 
The type of activity for which such permit is desired.
(7) 
The anticipated age group of the expected participants.
(8) 
The names and addresses of the adult persons who would supervise and be responsible for the proposed activity.
(9) 
A hold harmless agreement and certificate of insurance, naming the Borough of Norwood as an additional insured.
(10) 
Such other information as may be reasonably required.
B. 
Permits shall be issued by the Director of Recreation, after submission to and approval by the Mayor and Council, based upon the following criteria, and permits may contain special conditions as appropriate:
[Amended 3-4-2008 by Ord. No. 08:02]
(1) 
That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park.
(2) 
That the nature and character of the proposed activity or use of the park is not reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime, or disorderly conduct.
(3) 
That the proposed activity or use of the park will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense of police operation by the Borough.
(4) 
That the park area or facility desired has not been reserved for other use at the date and hour desired in the application, and that it does not conflict with any other activity of the Borough Recreation Committee.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 168-11, Appeal by persons aggrieved by issuance or nonissuance of permit, was repealed 3-4-2008 by Ord. No. 08:02.
The person or persons to whom any permit is issued hereunder shall be fully liable for any and all loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whatever by reasons of the willful misconduct or negligence of the person, persons or one of them to whom such permit shall have been issued.
A. 
No person or group of persons shall, while upon any Borough park, playground, or recreational facility:
[Amended 10-7-2008 by Ord. No. 08:09]
(1) 
Be in or use the scene for any purpose during the hours such facility is closed or when such facility or part thereof is posted "Closed."
(2) 
Damage, deface, injure, destroy, remove or interfere with any property of the Borough, including plant life or wildlife.
(3) 
Bring in any domesticated animal or animals or ride a horse, except that dogs may be walked while on a leash on paved walking paths.
(4) 
Kindle, build, or maintain a fire of any sort.
(5) 
Picnic or bring foodstuffs into any area except such area, if any, as may be clearly marked therefor by signs posted.
(6) 
Bring, possess or consume any alcoholic beverage.
(7) 
Bring in or dump upon, deposit or leave upon any bottles, broken glass, trash, garbage or other refuse, except in connection with the proper use of the property and placed in the proper receptacles where provided by such matters, and where receptacles are not provided, such matters shall be carried away by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.
(8) 
Post or otherwise place any sign, placard or advertisement whatever, unless authorized by proper authority.
(9) 
Carry or possess firearms of any description, which prohibition shall not apply to law enforcement officers, 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 are forbidden. The Canada Goose Abatement Program shall be exempt from these conditions.
(10) 
Have in his possession or cause to be exploded or discharge any firecrackers, fireworks or similar thing. This shall not apply to the annual fireworks display authorized by the Mayor and Council.
(11) 
Ride a bicycle on other than a paved vehicular road designated for that purpose. A bicyclist shall be permitted to wheel or push a bicycle by hand over any grassy area or trail or paved area reserved for pedestrian use.
(12) 
Drive, operate use or bring into any park any automobile, motorbike, minibike, moped, motorcycle or any other motor vehicle, except that properly licensed vehicles may be brought to designated parking areas, if any, using designated roads for that purpose.
(13) 
Gamble or participate in any way in a game of chance or engage in wagering or participate in any game or sport for money or other valuable thing.
(14) 
Bring golf clubs or similar equipment or use same in any park facility.
(15) 
Solicit contributions or support for any purpose, public or private.
(16) 
Sell or offer to sell any article of merchandise or thing or display for sale any article or thing, unless authorized by the Mayor and Council.
(17) 
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or persons occupying any area or participating in any activity under authority of a permit.
(18) 
Conduct himself in a disorderly or indecent manner or commit any indecent act or use profane, indecent, or obscene language or gesture or interfere with or disturb any other person using or enjoying such facility.
(19) 
No entertainment or exhibition shall be given in any park except under the direction or by permission of the Recreation Committee.
B. 
No person may use or remain in a public park between the hours of sunset and sunrise, except where posted.
(1) 
Borough parks located at Kennedy Memorial Park are to be closed to the public at 11:00 p.m. from April 15 to August 15; and from August 16 to April 14, the park is to be closed at 10:00 p.m., except where otherwise authorized by the Recreation Committee. Kennedy Memorial Park complex shall consist of the Knickerbocker and Little League Baseball Fields, the Girls Softball Field, and the Basketball Courts.
[Amended 6-1-2004 by Ord. No. 04:09; 7-3-2007 by Ord. No. 07:13; 8-4-2009 by Ord. No. 09:07; 4-26-2011 by Ord. No. 11:04; 9-9-2015 by Ord. No. 15:13; 2-23-2022 by Ord. No. 22:01; 3-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023:05]
A. 
The following schedule of fees shall be charged for recreational programs as follows:
(1) 
Use of athletic fields by nonrecreation-sponsored teams or activities: $50 per team or activity per date of use during day time hours, $70 per date of use when the use of the lights is required. An escrow deposit of $250 shall also be paid to the Borough by the applicant as security for the Borough's costs in the cleanup of the fields and the repair of any damage to the fields caused by the applicant's use of the fields. The Borough will return the deposit to the applicant, minus any expenses incurred by the Borough, after use of the fields. All charges for these expenses will be approved by the Mayor and Council upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works.
(a) 
Teams that have 50% or more Norwood children on their roster would receive field time free of charge.
(b) 
Fees would include the raking and lining of fields prior to games.
(c) 
All organizations will be invoiced on a monthly basis, by mail and email with payment due to the Borough 10 days after the date of the email. Failure to pay on time, or in full, will result in a warning. If nontimely or partial payment should occur a second time or full payment is not made within 30 days of the original email, field permits will be revoked.
(d) 
The community center and batting cages will only be available for use by residents and Borough organizations. If an emergency situation occurs, an outside organization may request the use of the community center or batting cage by completing the proper application, receiving a recommendation from the Recreation Committee, and having approval granted by the Mayor and Council.
(2) 
Summer recreation program registration fees:
(a) 
For the first child: $150.
(b) 
Additional fee for the second child: $125.
(c) 
Additional fee for the third child: $100.
(d) 
Four or more children: no additional fee charged.
(e) 
A late fee of $25 will be assessed.
(3) 
Norwood Kid's Running Program: $30 per child per year.
(4) 
Any such other fees recommended by the Committee and fixed by the Mayor and Council.
B. 
The recreational program fees shall be collected by an agent or representative of the Recreation Department.
C. 
The Mayor and Council shall have the authority to waive the collection of any recreational program or permit fees on the application of any charitable, religious, veterans, or eleemosynary organization and any Borough of Norwood volunteer emergency service organization.
[Added 10-9-2013 by Ord. No. 13:09]
A. 
Definitions: When used in this section the terms listed below are defined as follows:
ALL PERSONS
Includes all employees of the Borough of Norwood, volunteers, coaches, team members and their families, umpires-referees, as well as all members of the public.
ENFORCING AUTHORITIES
Members of the Police Department of the Borough of Norwood; members of the Norwood Fire Department; designated agents of the Department of Public Works and Recreation Department; the Mayor and Council members; and any other agents designated by the Mayor and Council.
LIGHTNING RISK WARNING
Notice to the Borough of a lightning risk, the activation of the lightning warning system siren or strobe, or the happening of any event deemed by any of the enforcing authorities to be a risk to health and safety due to lightning.
B. 
If a lightning risk warning occurs, all parks and recreational facilities will be closed, including (but not limited to) the Norwood Municipal Pool, municipal fields and lots, and other similar outdoor areas.
C. 
If a park or recreational facility is closed, as provided in this section:
(1) 
All activities within the park or recreational facility will immediately cease until the lightning warning system provides the all-clear sound or any of the enforcing authorities authorizes the facility (or facilities) to re-open; and
(2) 
All persons within the park or recreational facility when the lightning risk warning occurs will immediately exit the park or recreational facility, and they will not return until the lightning warning system provides the all-clear sound or any of the enforcing authorities authorizes the facility (or facilities) to re-open.
D. 
The Borough may act to temporarily close or limit the use of parks, recreational facilities, including (but not limited to) the Norwood Municipal Pool, school, and municipal fields and lots, whenever, in the judgment of any of the enforcing authorities, this action is deemed necessary or desirable for the protection of public health or safety.
E. 
Nothing in this section is intended to negate the authority of the enforcing authorities to take any action as deemed necessary or desirable for the protection of the public's health or safety.
F. 
Violations and penalties.
(1) 
If the Code of the Borough of Norwood provides for the licensing or permitting of any person or entity who/which violates the terms of this section, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Norwood reserves the right to revoke that permit or license.
(2) 
Any person or entity found guilty of violating this section of the Code of the Borough of Norwood will be subject to a penalty consisting of a fine not to exceed $1,000.
[Added 11-12-2014 by Ord. No. 14:13]
A. 
Definitions. When used in this section the terms listed below are defined as follows:
ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICE
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, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe.
PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS
The areas defined as parks and recreation areas in this chapter and all other applicable Borough ordinances, except any parking lots for these parks and recreation areas.
SMOKING
The burning of, inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from, or the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked, or the inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device.
B. 
Smoking is prohibited in Norwood's parks or recreation areas.
C. 
Signs designating each Norwood park and recreation area as a smoke-free zone will be posted on the property where smoking is prohibited by this section. The sign will include the words "Smoke Free Zone" in lettering that is not less than two inches in height and will contain the international no-smoking sign or symbol.
D. 
The provisions of this section are enforceable by a police officer, employee, or elected official of the Borough, as well as by any other person who observes a violation. Any person seeking to enforce the provisions of this section is authorized to file a complaint in the Municipal Court of the Borough.
E. 
Unless a greater fine is permitted under N.J.S.A. 26:3D-55 et seq. (New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act) for smoking in the specific areas defined by this section, in which case such higher level of fine will be imposed, any person who smokes in an area in which smoking is prohibited by this section will upon conviction be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and will be subject to a maximum fine of $200 for each violation, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:33-13.
F. 
Any person found guilty defacing, tampering with, or removing no-smoking signs that are required by this section will upon a conviction be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and will be subject to a maximum fine of $200 plus the cost of replacing the sign.
G. 
Any juvenile adjudicated to have violated the provisions of this section will be subject to all penalties, fines, or other discipline as may be imposed upon an adult pursuant to this section, to the extent permitted by law.