[Amended by Ord. No. 18-94; Ord. No. 8-95]
The following rules and regulations, recommended
by the Recreation Commission, are hereby established to govern the
operation, use and enjoyment of lakes, parks, beaches and all other
recreational facilities owned by the Borough:
A. Hours of operation. Borough-owned lakes, beaches,
and parks shall open at sunrise and shall close at sunset except for
lighted volleyball and tennis courts, which shall close at 11:00 p.m.,
and the basketball courts which close at 10:00 p.m., except in the
event Borough-sanctioned programs are scheduled outside of these times.
The Recreation Director is authorized to issue permits for night fishing
on Borough-owned lakes, beaches, and parks and to establish rules
and regulations for the administration of such permits. Individuals
holding night fishing permits shall be permitted to use Borough-owned
lakes, beaches, and parks for fishing-related activities during hours
when the facilities are closed in accordance with the rules and regulations
established by the Recreation Director.
[Amended 3-24-2003 by Ord. No. 04-03; 9-25-2006 by Ord. No. 23-06; 6-27-2016 by Ord. No. 03-2016]
B. Tag required.
[Amended 3-24-2003 by Ord. No. 04-03; 9-24-2007 by Ord. No. 16-07; 4-28-2008 by Ord. No. 03-08; 5-14-2012 by Ord. No. 04-12]
(1) All residents two years of age or older desiring to use the facilities
at Island Beach, Birchwood Beach, and Borough-owned lakes between
10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., between Memorial Day and Labor Day, shall
purchase a tag for the season, with the further privilege of purchasing
daily guest badges.
(2) All residents six years of age or older desiring to use the tennis
facilities shall purchase a tag for the season, with the further privilege
of purchasing daily guest badges.
(3) Mountain Lakes residents 62 years of age or older may apply at Borough
Hall for free tags.
(4) No badge or tag shall be used or permitted to be used by anyone other
than the registered holder thereof.
C. Fees. All fees and deposits shall be as provided in
§ 111-3E.
D. Disorderly conduct prohibited. Excessive noise, loud,
offensive or abusive language and disorderly conduct of any sort shall
be prohibited in or on all recreational facilities and adjacent parking
areas. Orders given by the duly appointed supervisors of the various
facilities shall be obeyed.
E. Alcoholic beverages prohibited. The use or carrying
of intoxicating beverages or controlled dangerous substances shall
be prohibited in any area.
F. Dressing. Patrons shall not disrobe on beaches, in
lavatories, in park areas or in autos.
G. Use of equipment. Patrons shall not handle lifeboats,
life preservers or any lifesaving equipment, except as required by
emergency.
H. Animals prohibited. Patrons shall not bring cats or
dogs on beaches at any time.
I. Picnic areas. Picnic lunches shall be confined to
wooded areas. Under no circumstances shall glass containers be allowed
on beaches. Persons using picnic areas shall confine fires to fireplaces,
place trash in refuse containers, thoroughly clean picnic tables and
areas used and put out fires.
J. Swimming test for children. Children between the ages
of 10 and 12 who pass a swimming test given by lifeguards may be allowed
on beaches unaccompanied. Children under 12 who have not passed the
test shall be accompanied by a person over 16 years old.
K. Vehicles; parking. Motor-propelled vehicles of any
nature shall be prohibited on Borough parkland, other than at designated
locations. Parking shall be prohibited in public driveways leading
to beaches.
L. Swimming restrictions.
[Amended 6-27-2016 by Ord. No. 03-2016]
(1) All swimming, any time, shall be at the swimmer's risk.
(2) Swimming is prohibited from any dam.
M. Enforcement by lifeguards. Lifeguards shall be in
charge of the designated swimming areas at Birchwood Beach and Island
Beach at such times as they are actually on duty, and all orders given
by them shall be obeyed.
N. Bicycles and other vehicles. Any conveyance, including
motor vehicles, trailers of all types, campers, tricycles, bicycles
(motorized or otherwise), sleds, sleighs, pushcarts, and all other
vehicles propelled by muscular power or otherwise, horses and horse-drawn
conveyances, excluding, however, baby carriages and bicycles and vehicles
used by Borough employees in an official capacity, are prohibited
within those areas of the park known as the "Richard M. Wilcox Park"
as set forth on the attached map titled "Trail Map, Environmental
Commission, Borough of Mountain Lakes," prepared by Anderson & Denzler Associates, Inc., dated
June 2000, noted "trails marked thus ___________ are for foot traffic
only."
[Added 6-14-1999 by Ord. No. 7-99; amended 11-8-1999 by Ord. No. 24-99; 12-27-1999 by Ord. No. 25-99; 6-26-2000 by Ord. No. 17-2000]
O. Residency requirement for special use facilities. Borough-owned open space and parks shall be open to the public without regard to residency. Special use facilities owned by the Borough and developed and maintained with Borough funds shall be for the use of Borough residents, their guests, and recreation programs approved by the Recreation Commission. Special use facilities include Island Beach, Island Beach boat launch and docks, Birchwood Beach, Midvale boat launch and docks, tennis courts, athletic fields, playgrounds, related picnic areas, and other Borough-owned and maintained recreational facilities. Residents using special use facilities must have proof of residency at all times and tags when required for facility use as specified in Subsection
B.
[Added 9-24-2007 by Ord. No. 16-07; amended 4-28-2008 by Ord. No. 03-08]
P. It shall
be a violation of this chapter for a motor vehicle to be parked in
a municipal park or recreation facility, including municipally owned
open space or pocket parks, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and
5:00 a.m. This parking prohibition shall also apply to the unpaved
portion of any right-of-way on municipal property.
[Added 10-26-2015 by Ord.
No. 10-15; amended 3-27-2017 by Ord. No. 04-17]
Q. Use of lakes, parks, and special use facilities for private group
lessons. The Recreation Director is authorized to issue permits to
individuals who wish to provide private group lessons on Borough-owned
lakes, beaches, and parks and to establish rules and regulations for
the administration of such permits. Individuals holding such permits
shall be permitted to use Borough-owned lakes, beaches, and parks
for group lessons in accordance with the rules and regulations established
by the Recreation Director.
[Added 6-27-2016 by Ord.
No. 03-2016]
R. The failure
to comply with any posted rule at a Borough recreation facility shall
be a violation of this chapter.
[Added 9-12-2022 by Ord. No. 5-22]
[Amended by Ord. No. 1-90; Ord. No. 18-94; Ord. No. 8-95; 3-24-2003 by Ord. No. 04-03]
Use of the lakes, Midvale and Island Beach boat
docks, Birchwood area and all other boat launching areas are authorized
by resolution of the Borough Council. Docks and boating facilities
shall be governed by the following rules and regulations:
A. All boats, canoes, sailboats or rowboats shall be
permanently registered. A daily fee shall be charged for guest boats,
except for sanctioned regattas. Renewal of fee is not necessary, but
all new boats shall be promptly registered. The registration shall
indicate the type of boat. Fees shall be as set forth in § 111-3E.
B. Launching of boats from Birchwood Lake dam, Crystal
Lake dam or Sunset Lake dam is prohibited. No motorized vehicles shall
be allowed on any dam for the launching of a boat.
C. No motorboats, electric or gas-driven, shall be allowed
on the lakes, except a motorboat operated by a representative of a
Borough department for a Borough purpose.
D. Operators of boats shall make every effort to avoid
a collision, even if such boat has the right-of-way, and shall observe
the following standard rules of the road:
(1) Canoes, rowboats or other nonpowered boats shall have
the right-of-way over sailboats.
(2) Sailboats on the right or starboard tack, wind coming
from the right side, have the right-of-way over sailboats on the left
or port tack.
(3) If two boats are on the same trail, the close-hauled
boat shall have the right-of-way.
E. Boats shall not be overloaded with passengers.
F. Boats in use shall not be interfered with, such as
by jumping aboard or removing centerboards, paddles or rudders.
G. Boats may be temporarily docked at Island Beach, north
of the swimming area. Such boats shall be properly secured, with the
sail lowered.
H. Boats shall be stowed only in designated areas of
Borough-owned property. Any boat not removed from the Borough property
by December 1 shall be removed by the Borough. The owner shall pay
a service charge at the time he repossesses the boat, as set forth
in § 111-3E.
I. There shall be a seasonal fee for a canoe rack or
boat ring rental. In order to retain such space from season to season,
renewal shall be made by April 1. Fees shall be as set forth in § 111-3E.
J. Any violation of these rules should be reported to
lifeguards or patrol boats.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1-88; Ord. No. 8-95]
All skating and other activities on the ice
shall be entirely at the participants' own risk.
[Amended by Ord. No. 8-95]
Fishing in all lakes shall be subject to State
of New Jersey regulations set forth in the current State Fish Code,
with certain additional Borough regulations. The Borough shall not,
however, undertake to enforce the regulations of the New Jersey State
Fish and Game Code, except as and if so requested by the State Game
Warden having jurisdiction, as provided by N.J.S.A. 23:2-8.
A. Bass fishing shall be prohibited during the month
of May, spawning season.
B. There shall be a limit of four trout per person on
Trout Derby Day.
C. Only Birchwood and Crystal Lakes may be used for ice
fishing.
D. Fishing is restricted to residents of the Borough
and their guests. Guests must be accompanied at all times by a Borough
resident.
[Amended by Ord. No. 8-95]
A. The term "dam," as used throughout this chapter, refers
to the improved raised structure of earth, stone, concrete or other
materials or combination of materials which serves the function of
preventing or controlling the flow of water and which is subject to
regulations of the State of New Jersey.
B. No person shall go upon Sunset Lake dam for any purpose
whatever, unless specifically authorized by the Borough Manager.
No unauthorized person shall:
C. Introduce or feed waterfowl.
E. Pipe or run polluted water into lakes or canals.
F. Introduce leaves, grass or other refuse of any kind.
Overnight camping shall be permitted in designated
areas, provided that all campers have a valid permit issued by the
Police Department.
The Borough shall collect fees from users of
Borough-owned and -supported recreation facilities as provided in
§ 111-3E of this Code.
[Added 9-24-2007 by Ord. No. 16-07]
A. Penalty. Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a penalty in accordance with §
1-17 of this Code.
B. In addition
to such penalties as may be imposed by the Municipal Court, any person
violating the rules and regulations of the Recreation Commission shall
be subject to the suspension of his or her badge and related privileges.