[Adopted 11-8-1978 by Ord. No. 719]
A. 
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year during the 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 action of the Recreation Commission.
B. 
Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public by the Superintendent of Recreation and the Recreation Commission at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise) and entirely or temporarily to certain uses, as the Superintendent of Recreation or Recreation Commission shall find reasonably necessary.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 322-2 of the 1981 Code, Permits for special events, and § 322-3, Liability; enforcement, were repealed 4-14-2015 by Ord. No. 1670. See now Ch. 376, Special Events.
It shall be unlawful for any person in any public park within the City limits of the City of North Wildwood to:
A. 
Building structures, equipment facilities and other public property.
(1) 
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, 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 markers or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.
(2) 
Fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition. No person over the age of six years shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.
(3) 
Dig or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs or plants or other wood or materials, or make an 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 upon 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 upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.
(7) 
Tie or hitch any animal to any tree or plant.
B. 
Hunting of wild animals, birds, etc. 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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 126, Animals.
C. 
Sanitation.[2]
(1) 
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, storming 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.
(2) 
Bring and dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse or other trash in the parks except as hereinafter set forth. 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.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 374, Solid Waste.
D. 
Driving. Drive any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads or parking areas or such areas as may upon occasion by specificity be designated as temporary areas by the Superintendent of Recreation and Recreation Commission.
E. 
Parking; cars and bicycles.
(1) 
Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area, and such shall be in accordance with posted directions or with the instruction of any attendant who may be present.
(2) 
Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night without lights clearly visible for at least 150 feet from both front and rear on any driveway or road area, except legally established parking areas.
(3) 
Double-Park a vehicle on any road or parkway unless directed by a recreation official.
(4) 
Leave a bicycle in a place other than a bicycle rack when such is provided and there is space available.
(5) 
Ride a bicycle without reasonable regard for the safety of others.
(6) 
Leave a bicycle lying on the ground or paving or set against trees or in any place or position where other persons may trip over or be injured by them.
F. 
Swimming.
(1) 
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 set forth or may be hereinafter 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 Recreation Commission upon a finding that such use of the water would be dangerous or otherwise inadvisable.
(2) 
Indecently expose one's person.
(3) 
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.
G. 
Boating.[3]
(1) 
Bring into or operate any boat, raft or other watercraft, whether motorpowered or not, upon any waters, except at places designated for boating by the Recreation Commission. Such activity shall be in accordance with applicable regulations as are now or may hereafter be adopted.
(2) 
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.
(3) 
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 or remain on or in any boat during said closed hours of the park.
[3]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 154, Boats, Docks and Wharves.
H. 
Fishing and firearms.
(1) 
Fish in any waters except in waters designated by the Recreation Commission for that use and under such regulations and restrictions as have been or may be prescribed by the Recreation Commission.
(2) 
Fish in any area where bathing is permitted.
(3) 
Carry or possess firearms of any description, or air rifles, spring guns, bows 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.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 236, Firearms and Fireworks.
I. 
Picnics.
(1) 
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.
(2) 
Violate the regulation that use of individual fireplaces, together with tables and benches, follows the generally accepted rule of "First come, first served."
(3) 
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 all other persons, nor shall any person use such areas and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded.
(4) 
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.
J. 
Camping. Set up tents, shacks or any temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping, 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 a house trailer, camp trailer, camp wagon or the like, except in those areas specifically designed for such pastime.
K. 
Games, sports and horseback riding.
(1) 
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.
(2) 
Ride a horse except on designated bridle trails, where permitted; horses shall be thoroughly broken and properly restrained and ridden with due care and shall not be allowed to graze or go unattended, nor shall they be hitched to any rock, tree or shrub.
L. 
Alcoholic beverages. Bring or consume alcohol beverages, except that one may bring alcoholic beverages for consumption only during a meal in a designated picnic area.[5]
[Amended 10-21-2008 by Ord. No. 1549]
[5]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 114, Alcoholic Beverages.
M. 
Fireworks. 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 flammable 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. The term "fireworks" in this section shall not be deemed to include sparkling devices and novelties as defined in N.J.S.A. 21:2-2.[6]
[Amended 4-16-2019 by Ord. No. 1779]
[6]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 236, Firearms and Fireworks.
N. 
Domestic animals. To permit the entry of a dog or other domestic animal owned or possessed by such person into areas clearly marked by the Recreation Commission by signs bearing these or similar 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 10 feet in length.[7]
[7]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 126, Animals. See also Art. III, North Wildwood Dog Park, of this chapter.
O. 
Reservation of facilities. Occupy any seat or bench or enter into or loiter or remain in any pavilion or any other park structure or section thereof which may be reserved and designated by the Recreation Commission for the use of the opposite sex. Exception is made for children under six years of age.
P. 
Fires. Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Superintendent of Recreation and Recreation Commission. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other flammable material within any park or on any highways, roads or streets abutting or contiguous thereto.
Q. 
Vending. 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 Recreation Commission.[8]
[8]
Editor's Note: See 330, Peddling and Soliciting.
R. 
Advertising. Announce, advertise or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire, except when licensed by the Recreation Commission so to do.
S. 
Signs. 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 contiguous to a park, except when licensed by the Recreation Commission so to do.
T. 
Miscellaneous.
(1) 
Appear at any place in other than proper clothing.
(2) 
Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private.
(3) 
Gamble or participate in or abet any game of chance, except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Superintendent of Recreation and Recreation Commission.
(4) 
Go onto the ice on any of the waters except such areas as are designated as skating fields, provided that a safety signal is displayed.
(5) 
Sleep or protractedly lounge 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.
(6) 
Fail to produce and exhibit any permit from the Recreation Commission 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.
(7) 
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.
[Added 6-1-2004 by Ord. No. 1458]
The Recreation Commission, in consultation with the Superintendent of Recreation, is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations governing the use of municipal parks by members of the public as it deems necessary to effectuate the purposes, intent and provisions of this article. No regulation promulgated by the Recreation Commission shall be effective until approved by a resolution adopted by City Council and approved by the Mayor. Upon approval of any regulation as required by this section, such regulation shall be posted prominently in the parks affected by the regulation.
[Amended 3-20-1991 by Ord. No. 1054; 5-21-2002 by Ord. No. 1411; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person or persons or association of persons violating any of the provisions of this article or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant hereto shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not to exceed $2,000, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or community service for not more than 90 days, or any combination thereof. In addition thereto, such person, persons or association of persons shall also be subject to requirement of replacement, repair or restoration of damaged or removed park property.