Township of Bridgewater, NJ Park Regulations

No person shall, unless specifically permitted in writing, by the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks, or his/her authorized representative, cut, destroy, injure, remove or otherwise disturb any plant life or vegetation in any condition or remove any earth, gravel or sand from any park.

No person shall damage, deface, injure or destroy any building, structure or other public property in any park.

No person shall allow, cause or permit any open burning in any park, except that barbecues and campfires may be used in designated areas, and open burning may take place in lawfully permitted fireplaces, grills or stoves.

No person shall sell, peddle, solicit or distribute any merchandise or services in any park without first obtaining a registration certificate pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 154 of the Code of the Township of Bridgewater.

No person shall in any park erect, display or post any advertising, business or flashing sign or distribute any advertisements, circulars or handbills or make, produce or cause any noise to be made, including but not limited to the use of any sound-making or amplifying device, or otherwise engage in any activity or conduct for the purpose of attracting attention to any merchandise exhibition, performance or show, except if written approval is first obtained from the Director of Recreation and Parks or his/her authorized representative.

No person shall remain or loiter in any park, from 1/2 hour after sunset until sunrise or during times when parks are not formally open to the public.

No person shall throw or deposit litter anywhere in any park other than in public litter receptacles.

No person shall bathe or swim in any pool, lake or other public waters in any park, except at times and places designated by the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks.

(9)

No person shall annoy, harass, hunt, pursue, capture, take or kill any wildlife in any park.

(10)

No person shall carry or possess any glass container or bottle at any time in any park.

(11)

No person shall use tobacco at any event or on site as more particularly described in Chapter 75, Tobacco-Free Events.

[Added 2-27-2014 by Ord. No. 14-01]

Somerset County Park Commission.

[Added 10-21-1991 by Ord. No. 91-27]

SOMERSET COUNTY PARK OR PARKS, PARKWAYS AND RESERVATIONS

Definitions. As used in this Subsection B, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ANIMALS

Includes cats, dogs, horses, any fowl or birds and any living creatures within jurisdiction of the park.

BRIDLEPATH

Any path maintained for equestrians.

COMMISSION

The Somerset County Park Commission or its authorized representative, as created by authority of Chapter 276, of the Laws of 1946, N.J.S.A. 40:37-95.1 to 40:37-95.25.

MUNICIPALITY

Respectively any city, town or Township borough or village within which any portion of said park system is situated.

PARK RANGER

Any person employed by the Commission as a Somerset County Park Ranger.

PATH

Any footpath, walk or any path maintained for pedestrians.

PEDESTRIAN

A person afoot.

PERMIT

Any written license issued by or under the authority of the Commission, permitting a special event or activity on park facilities and grounds.

PERSON

Any person, corporation, company association, joint-stock association, firm or copartnership.

PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVE

Every road or lane or driveway not open to the use of the public in general.

RIGHT-OF-WAY

The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway, drive or path.

SAFETY ZONE

Any space within a drive established for pedestrians.

SECRETARY-DIRECTOR

The Director of the Somerset County Park Commission.

All the real property situated in Somerset County or adjacent counties acquired by or under the jurisdiction and care of the Somerset County Park Commission or which may be hereafter acquired by it or come under its jurisdiction.

STOPPING OR STANDING

When prohibited, any cessation or movement of a vehicle, occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, including horses.

TRAFFIC

Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, either singly or together, while in the confines of the parks jurisdiction.

VEHICLE

Any conveyance, except baby carriages, including motor vehicles, bicycles, tricycles, sleds, sleighs, pushcarts or vehicles propelled by other than muscular power; also any trailers.

Construction. In the interpretation of the Somerset County Park ordinances, their provisions shall be construed as follows:

Any term in the singular shall include the plural.

Any terms in the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter.

Any requirement or prohibitions of any act shall, respectively, extend to and include the causing and procuring, directly or indirectly, of such act.

No provision hereof shall make unlawful any act necessarily performed by any officer or employee of the Commission, in line of duty or work as such, or by any person, his agents or employees, in the proper and necessary execution of the terms of any agreement with the Commission, or unless authorized by written permit issued by the Somerset County Park Commission.

In the event of any ambiguity in the provisions of any municipal code of a particular municipal jurisdiction within Somerset County, which municipal code has been adopted by the Somerset County Park Commission by resolution, the terms of which municipal ordinance does not proscribe certain activities otherwise prohibited by these rules and regulations, then these rules and regulations shall control.

Territorial scope. All Somerset County Park Commission rules, regulations, ordinances and local municipal ordinances, if applicable, shall be effective within all parks, parkways and reservations under the administration of the Somerset County Park Commission and shall be deemed to regulate the use thereof by all persons.

Prohibited uses of the park.

Advertising. No person shall:

Post, paint, affix, distribute or handout any bill, billboard, placard, ticket, handbill, circular or advertisement or any of the following without written permission of the Commission.

Display any flag, banner, transparency, target, sign, placard or any other matter for advertising purposes.

Operate any musical instrument, soundtrack or drum for advertising purposes or for the purpose of attracting attention to any exhibition, show performance or other display.

Soliciting. No person shall solicit for any purpose.

Animals. No person shall cause or permit any animal owned by him, in his custody or under his control, to go or be at large.

Dogs shall be restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length.

No person shall ride or drive a horse unless it is well-broken and constantly held in such control that it may be easily or quickly turned and stopped.

No horse shall be unbridled or left unattended in any unenclosed area without being securely fastened.

[4]

No horse shall be driven or ridden in the parks except at such locations designated for this purpose by the Commission.

[5]

No person shall hunt, molest, kill, wound, trap, chase, shoot or throw missiles at, remove or have in his possession any animal, reptile or bird or knowingly buy, receive, have in his possession, sell or give away any such animal, reptile, bird or eggs so taken.

[6]

No person shall fish in any of the rivers and canals bordering the parks unless he has a state license. No person shall kill, wound, discharge or throw missiles at any fish in such water or place therein any piscivorous fish, poison or any other substances injurious to fish.

[1]Tobacco-free event.

[Added 2-27-2014 by Ord. No. 14-01]

No person shall use tobacco at any event or on site as more particularly described in Chapter 75, Tobacco-Free Events.

Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(4)(d), regarding disorderly conduct, was repealed 8-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-30. For current provisions, see Ch. 76, Disorderly Conduct.

Firearms, weapons and tools - concealed weapons. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:1-1 et seq. No person shall bring into or have in his possession:

A pistol or revolver or objects upon which loaded or blank cartridges may be used.

Any tools, instruments, skeleton keys, picklocks, jimmies or other things known as "burglar tools," except when authorized by law.

Any rifle, shotgun, air gun, spring gun, slingshot, bow or other instrument or weapon in which the propelling force is a spring or air, except for the lawful uses of such weapons at places and times prescribed by special permission of the Commission.

(f)

Fires. No person shall kindle, build, maintain or use a fire, except in places provided for such purposes or where a permit has been issued.

All fires shall be continuously under the care and direction of a competent person from the time it is kindled until it is extinguished.

No fire shall be built within 10 feet of any tree or building or beneath the branches of any tree or in any underbrush.

No cigar, cigarette or lighted match shall be discarded carelessly or in a manner which may start a fire.

(g)

Closing hours. All parks will close 1/2 hour after sunset, as defined by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the Somerville area, except where and when specific closing hours are designated and posted.

(h)

Opening hours. All park areas will open 1/2 hour after sunrise, as defined by the NOAA for the Somerville area, unless otherwise specified or designated as posted.

(i)

Vending. No person shall sell or offer for sale any object or merchandise or any other thing within the parks except by special permit of the Commission.

(j)

Minors. No parent or guardian or custodian of any minor shall permit or allow him to do any act prohibited by any Somerset County Park ordinance.

(k)

Motor vehicle operation. No person shall drive or operate any vehicle except on roadways or parking areas provided, unless permitted by signs or directed by Park Rangers or other designated employees.

(l)

Motor vehicle parking. No person shall park or cause to be parked any vehicle within the parks, except in established for parking and designated by signs or directed by Park Rangers or other designated employees. During periods of darkness said vehicles shall have parking lights in operation.

Regulated uses.

The following activities are permitted only at times and in areas so designated for that purpose by the Commission and are otherwise prohibited within the parks:

Swimming, bathing and wading.

Ice skating, sledding and skiing.

Model airplane, helicopter and rocket flying.

Boating on ponds.

Horseback riding.

Golfing.

Bicycling and skateboarding.

All persons using the facilities of the Commission must obey the posted rules and regulations established for the proper, effective and safe utilization of said facility. Certain park areas have special rules and regulations. Persons using these facilities must obey posted rules and regulations for the protection of visitors and the resource.

Protection of property.

No person shall throw or deposit litter or waste substance in any fountain, drain, pond, lake, stream or any other body of water in any park.

No person shall injure, cut, remove from the ground or otherwise disturb any plant, tree or shrub in any park, nor shall any person:

Pile debris of any kind against the same.

Attach a rope, cable or other contrivance thereto.

Set fire or assist in setting fire to the same.

[4]

Ride horses or walk animals over the same.

No person shall damage, deface or tamper with any drive or walkway nor make any excavation of any kind in any park.

No person shall damage, deface, remove or destroy any structure, building, sign, utility or any other property or equipment, owned by or under the control or jurisdiction of the Park Commission.

No person shall throw or deposit litter in any park except in public receptacles and in such a manner that the litter will be prevented from being carried or deposited by the elements upon any part of the park. Where public receptacles are not provided, all such litter shall be carried away from the park by the person(s) responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.

Permits. A permit authorizing a person or organization to use a facility of the Commission may be granted upon written application to the Commission and written approval. All conditions of the permit approval must be adhered to, and any violation of the terms and conditions or rules and regulations or falsifications shall constitute grounds for its revocation by the Commission or its authorized representative.

Validity. The invalidity of any of the aforesaid rules and regulations shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining rules and regulations.

§ 151-4 Enforcement.

[Amended 6-1-1981 by Ord. No. 81-14; 6-21-1982 by Ord. No. 82-24]

This chapter shall be published in its entirety in the Department of Recreation and Parks Program Brochure, and shall be published as a legal notice in September of each year in the Courier News or other official Township newspaper. In addition, the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks shall cause to be posted in all parks copies of relevant portions of this chapter and/or signs setting forth the specific conduct which is prohibited in this chapter.

Custodians, supervisors and assistants, while on duty at the parks, shall preserve order and enforce the rules and regulations of the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Employees of the Department of Recreation and Parks shall be responsible for bringing all violations of this chapter and any other Township ordinances to the attention of the Police Department of the Township of Bridgewater, which may take appropriate action.

§ 151-5 Violations and penalties.

Any person who shall violate or fail to comply with any provision of this chapter, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both.

§ 151-6 Effect on other ordinances.

The powers conferred and the duties imposed by this chapter shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred and the duties imposed by any other municipal ordinance. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as repealing any provision of any other municipal ordinance or any portion thereof. In the event that any provision of this chapter shall vary from a similar regulation or ordinance, the more restrictive provisions shall control.

§ 151-7 Supplemental regulations for municipal parks.

[Added 7-6-2006 by Ord. No. 06-35]

The following supplemental rules and regulations, developed by the Division of Parks and Division of Recreation (hereinafter referred to as "Division") in the Township Department of Planning and Engineering are hereby made applicable to the Township parks:

Prohibited uses of the park.

Advertising. No person shall post, paint, affix, distribute, hand out, deliver, place, cast or leave about any bill, billboard, placard, ticket, handbill, circular or advertisement or any of the following without written permission of the Division. Any person who has not received written permission from the Division shall not be permitted to:

Display any flag, banner, transparency, target, sign, placard or any other matter for advertising purposes.

Operate any musical instrument or soundtrack for advertising purposes or for the purpose of attracting attention to any exhibition, show, performance or other display.

Conduct public speeches or rallies without obtaining a permit from the Division.

Soliciting. Solicitation for any purpose by a person or group is prohibited except in accordance with the Township Peddlers and Solicitors Ordinance.[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 154, Peddling and Soliciting.

Domesticated animals and wildlife. No person shall cause or permit any animal owned by him, in his custody or under his control to roam unconstrained, with the exception of supervised dogs within the confines of the Division-designated area of the park:

Dogs must be restrained by a leash and kept under control at all times.

Wildlife.

No person shall feed, hunt, harm, kill, wound, trap, chase, take, throw objects at or intentionally disturb or remove any animal, reptile, bird or eggs.

No person shall fish in any of the park waters unless adhering to rules and regulations established by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Game.

No person shall place in such waters any piscivorous fish, poison or any other substances injurious to fish.

No person shall dispose/drop off wildlife.

Disorderly persons conduct (N.J.S.A. 2A:170-1 to 96).

No person or group of persons shall engage in such loitering conduct which will obstruct, molest or interfere with any person lawfully enjoying the park.

No person shall engage in such loitering conduct as will clearly cause an immediate physical violent reaction from any person or persons, which violent reaction will cause a threat to the peace and order of the public.

No person or any group of persons shall engage in such loitering that obstructs the free passage of pedestrians at or near any walkway, pathway, building, parking lot or vehicle.

No person shall use threatening, abusive, boisterous, insulting or indecent language or gestures within the park or recreation area.

No person shall appear in the park in a state of nudity or commit, perform or engage in lewd, lascivious, obscene, illicit, carnal or indecent acts or behavior and no person shall make any indecent exposure of his or her person.

(f)

No person shall climb or stand upon any wall, fence, shelter, seat, statue or other erection.

(g)

No person shall litter in the park or deposit on the ice or in the ponds any matter that would tend to damage the ice for skating or pollute the ponds. Recycling shall be in effect in all parks.

(h)

No person shall fail to obey or interfere with a municipal officer in the proper performance of his duties.

(i)

No person shall remove or open permanent or temporary barriers, signs, directionals, gates or fences.

(j)

No person shall bring, carry or cause to be brought into the parks and recreation areas any glass bottles or other glass containers except upon special written permission of the Division.

(k)

No person shall be allowed to remain inside the park or recreation area who does not abide by the conditions adopted and posted by the Division for the preservation of good order and the protection of property within the park and recreation area.

(l)

No person shall resist any municipal officer of the Township or Division in the discharge of their duty. Any person directed to leave the park or recreation area by a municipal officer shall do so promptly and peaceably.

Fireworks and explosives. No person shall have in his possession, bring into or discharge, in the park any explosives, firecrackers, torpedoes, rockets or other fireworks, including any substance, compound, mixture or other article having properties of such a character that alone or in combination or conjunction with other substances or compounds may decompose suddenly and generate sufficient heat, gas or pressure of any or all of them to produce rapid flaming, combustion or administer a destructive blow to surrounding objects.

Firearms, weapons and tools. No person shall discharge any weapon or firearm within or into the park or recreation area. Concealed weapons, according to N.J.S.A. 2A:151-41 to 43, are not allowed. Accordingly, no person shall bring into or have in his possession:

Any pistol or revolver or objects upon which loaded or blank cartridges may be used.

Any tools, instruments, skeleton keys, pick locks, jimmys or other things known as burglar tools, except when authorized by law.

Any rifle, shotgun, airgun, spring gun, slingshot, bow, or other instrument or weapon in which the propelling force is a spring or air, excepting the lawful use of such weapons at places and times prescribed by special permission of the Division.

Fires. No person shall kindle, build, maintain or use a fire, except in places provided for such purpose, unless a permit has been issued.

All fire shall be continuously under the care and direction of a competent adult person from the time it is kindled until it is extinguished.

No fire shall be built within 10 feet of any tree or building or beneath the branches of any tree or in any underbrush.

No cigar, cigarette, lighted match, charcoal or flammable material(s) shall be discarded carelessly or in a manner that may start a fire.

(9)

Operating hours. The Division reserves the right to establish operating hours as well as the closing of parking areas specifically to address use and maintenance issues. Trail systems may be closed and rested, even rerouted for a number of years, if necessary, when degradation symptoms become evident. Some activities and uses may be restricted or prohibited in the interest of public safety or natural resource protection.

(10)

Opening hours. All parks areas will be open one-half hour prior to sunrise as defined by the U.S. Weather Bureau for the Bridgewater area unless otherwise specified or designated by signs.

(11)

Closing hours. All parks will close one-half hour after sunset as defined by the U.S. Weather Bureau for the Bridgewater area except where and when specific closing hours are designated.

(12)

Vending. No person shall sell or offer for sale any object(s) merchandise, or other items within the parks without obtaining a special permit from the Division and subject to local ordinances regulating vendors and vending machines.

(13)

Minors. No parent or guardian or custodian of any minor shall permit or allow him/her to do any act prohibited by any Bridgewater Township ordinance.

(14)

Urinating or defecating. No person shall urinate or defecate except in facilities provided for such use.

(15)

Changing/disrobing in unauthorized areas. No person shall change into or out of any clothing or bathing attire except in areas designated or customarily provided for such use.

(16)

Tobacco. No person shall smoke cigarettes, cigars or other tobacco products where the smoking of such tobacco products is prohibited by the Division.

(17)

Camping. No person shall erect or maintain a shelter and/or camp in any area except in designated sites provided for such usage and within the occupancy limits approved for each site.

(18)

Alcoholic beverages.

No person shall drink, take, use or have in their possession or be under the influence of, intoxicating liquors, opiates, or narcotics on or within the parks or recreation areas.

No person intoxicated by alcohol, drugs or narcotics shall be allowed to enter into or remain in the park or recreation area.

The Division may designate specific areas for use for or approve special events where alcoholic beverages may be consumed.

(19)

No person shall use tobacco at any event or on site as more particularly described in Chapter 75, Tobacco-Free Events.

[Added 2-27-2014 by Ord. No. 14-01]

Vehicles.

Motor Vehicle Act and Traffic Laws. All the provisions of the New Jersey State Motor Vehicle Act and Traffic Laws shall apply in the parks and shall be strictly enforced with such further restrictions as may be hereinafter stated.

Vehicles, where prohibited. No person shall ride or drive any type of motorized vehicle within or upon a walk, bridle path, or any part of the park not designated or customarily used for such purpose, except or unless authorized by specific permit issued by the Division.

Obeying officers. When a police officer is directing traffic, all drivers of vehicles and pedestrians shall obey his orders and directions whether by hand, voice or other manner.

Parking.

No owner or driver shall park any vehicle anywhere outside of designated parking spaces or leave the vehicle parked anywhere on park property after sunset except at such times and in such places as the Division may designate. Any vehicle parked or standing as to obstruct or impede a normal flow of traffic; blocking entrances or exitways, loading zones, oil or gas fields, any grass area, fire zone, pedestrian walkways after dusk; or presenting in any way a safety or traffic hazard, may be removed by towing. The cost of towing and storage shall be borne by the owner and shall be paid before regaining possession of the vehicle.

Footpaths or walks established for pedestrian travel shall not be used for vehicular travel. The use of mopeds or motorized bikes will be limited to roadways, drives and parking areas as established and open to all other vehicular traffic.

No person shall drive, propel or cause to be propelled, along or over any road within the park or recreation area, any vehicle at any rate of speed greater than 25 miles per hour or limits as established by the Township and indicated by speed limit signs directed along the right-of-way.

No person shall drive or propel or cause to be propelled, along or over any road within the park or recreation area, any motor vehicle in a careless manner or in a manner to endanger the life, limb or property of pedestrians or the drivers or occupants of other vehicles or any other person within the park or recreation area. The motor vehicle operator in the vehicle being operated must be in compliance with the New Jersey State Motor Vehicle License and Safety Laws.

Regulated uses.

The following activities are permitted only at times and areas so designated for that purpose by the Division and are otherwise prohibited within the parks:

	Swimming, bathing, wading in rivers or ponds
	Ice skating, sledding or skiing
	Model airplane flying
	Boating on ponds/water bodies
	Horseback riding
	Golfing
	Archery
	Snowmobiling
	Minibikes, skateboarding, in-line skating and other vehicles
	Mechanical sound amplification

All persons using the facilities of the Division must obey the posted rules and regulations established for the proper, effective and safe utilization of the facility.

Protection of property.

Natural resources and vegetation. It shall be unlawful for any person to:

Discharge any foreign or waste substance in any lake, river, lagoon, or stream that may or shall result in the pollution of said waters.

Throw, deposit or leave litter in the park or recreation area, except in the designated receptacles provided.

No person shall excavate, pick, destroy, deface, remove, fill in, cut or create any disturbance to vegetation without specific permission from the Division.

Defacing or destruction of property.

No person shall injure, deface, cut out, displace, remove, fill in, raise, destroy, excavate, tamper or create any disturbance to property contained within the park or recreation area whether it be natural or man-made.

No artifact or any other organic or inorganic material may be removed from any historical area of the park.

Rubbish and refuse matter. No person shall take into, carry through, leave in, or throw, cast, lay, drop or discharge into or on, or suffer or permit any agent, employee or person in his or her charge to do the same, into or on said parks any rubbish, refuse, garbage or other materials.

Permits. A permit authorizing a person or organization to hold a meeting, athletic event or otherwise use a facility of the Division for any special event may be granted upon receipt and review of the written application to the Division. The Division is not deemed to have approved the permit request until the applicant is in receipt of such approval in writing. All conditions of the permit approval must be adhered to. Any violation of the terms and conditions, rules, regulations or falsifications shall constitute grounds for revocation of the permit by the Division or its authorized representative.

Requests to utilize facilities for events by more than 20 persons must be received by a minimum of 14 days for picnics to 45 days for special events. An area can be permitted for a maximum of 12 consecutive days.

No event will be permitted on any park property unless a written permit has been granted by the Division. The permittee must have the original approved permit in his/her possession at the site and time of the event.

The permit applicant may be asked to provide satisfactory evidence of liability and personal property damage insurance in the aggregate amount of $1,000,000 combined single limit or more, depending upon the specific nature of the event and the liability exposure.

A permit will only be issued upon receipt of the signed confirmation of reservation request, all applicable fees and required documents.

Permits will be issued in accordance with the Division-established maximum carrying capacity limits.

The Division reserves the right to void or alter a permit when it is in the best interest of the health, safety or welfare of the general public.

Admission fees may not be charged within the park system.

Any and all concessions associated with an event must be approved in advance, in writing, by the Division. All food concessions must have a permit granted by the Township Division of Health in addition to the Division's permit. Both permits must be displayed.

(9)

Tents and/or temporary structures must have a permit granted by the Township's Fire and Construction Departments.

(10)

Amusement rides/games are prohibited within the park system unless specifically approved by the Division.

Penalties. Any person violating any provisions of these regulations shall forfeit and pay a fine or penalty therefor not exceeding $500 for each offense or less than $25, as may be fixed by the Bridgewater Municipal Court in its discretion within said limits. In addition to any penalties provided therefor, restitution for the cost of labor can be ordered by the Municipal Court Judge.

Site-specific rules and regulations. In addition to the general park regulations described herein, this paragraph provides for specific rules and regulations which have been duly adopted and are fully enforceable on a location and facility basis.

No person shall fail to comply with any site-specific rules that have been adopted and promulgated by the Division.

No person shall fail to comply with any temporary restrictions that have been approved by the Division or its designee to which adequate notice to the public has been given.