[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Plainsboro 7-29-1980 by Ord. No. 0-80-13; amended in its entirety 11-10-2009 by Ord. No. 0-09-18. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide within the public parks in and of the Township of Plainsboro the minimum of regulations to preserve and protect Township parks for the safe and full enjoyment of all residents of the Township.
A. 
Waiver. Upon application, the Township Administrator may waive rules, regulations or sections of this chapter when such waiver would be in the best interests of the public.
B. 
Additional regulations and rules. The Township Administrator or his/her designee may make rules and regulations for the use of parks, playgrounds and recreation areas, or parts thereof, which are consistent with this chapter.
C. 
Director of Recreation and Community Services. Under the direction of the Township Administrator, a Director of Recreation and Community Services (hereafter referred to as "Director") shall be employed by the Township of Plainsboro, with responsibilities that include conducting the Township's recreation programs and properly maintaining Township recreation and park property, facilities and equipment. In the absence of the Director, the Township Administrator shall assume the duties and responsibilities of this chapter, which are designated as the responsibility of the Director.
D. 
Motor vehicle defined. "Motor vehicle" shall mean and include all vehicles propelled other than by muscle power, and shall also include all motor vehicles of the bicycle or tricycle type. Motor vehicles shall include, but not be limited to, trucks, cars, motorcycles, motor bikes and snowmobiles.
A. 
Unless waived in accordance with other provisions of this chapter, parks shall be open from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Sunday. No person shall remain in any park, playground or recreational area after sunset, except in attendance at an organized activity so approved; no person shall remain in the park, playground or recreation area more than 30 minutes after the conclusion of such activity that ends after sunset.
B. 
Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public by the Director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular stated intervals, and open entirely or for certain uses as the Director may find reasonably necessary.
Group use of parks, or a portion thereof, and reservation of facilities may be permitted, provided that the following regulations are adhered to:
A. 
Application for group use or reservation shall be made to the Director on a first-come, first-served basis, with as much prior notice as possible. The application shall include the following information: the name and address of the applicant; the name and address of the person or organization sponsoring the activity; the day and time for which the group use or reservation is desired; the park or portion of the park for which the group use or reservation is desired; an estimate of the number of people to attend; and any other information that the Director or Township Administrator may find reasonably necessary to determine whether the group use or reservation should be permitted.
B. 
The reservation or group use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general enjoyment of the park, including adjacent areas not included in said reservation.
C. 
The reservation or group use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the public health, welfare, safety or recreation.
D. 
The reservation or group use will not be reasonably anticipated to include violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
E. 
The reservation or group use will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the Township.
F. 
The reservation or group use is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will be taken no more than 60 calendar days in advance of the date of the group use or reservation, or in advance of the first date of use in the case of a seasonal reservation. Reservations for group use for individual/one time activities will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants. Permit request applications for eligible Township athletic leagues will be processed for all sports seasons in the current year in accordance with existing procedures.
G. 
Reservation and group use will be permitted for persons or groups who are entirely or primarily Plainsboro Township residents or companies with facilities in Plainsboro Township.
H. 
A group or organization using a park under the provisions of this section will be bound by all park rules, regulations and applicable ordinances. The person or organization to whom the permit or reservation is issued shall be liable for all loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whatever by reason of the negligence of the person to whom such permit shall have been issued. The Director shall have the right to require any permittee to submit evidence of liability insurance with the Township as an additional insured, 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 Director prior to the commencement of any activity or issuance of any permit as well as any other documentation deemed relevant to the permit.
No person in a public park, playground or recreation area shall:
A. 
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.
B. 
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.
C. 
Dig or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs or plants or other wood or materials or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.
D. 
Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark or pick the 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 areas, or plant or install artificial wildlife, plants or habitats.
E. 
Climb any tree; walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, planters, fountains, railings, fences or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.
F. 
Tie or hitch an animal to any tree, shrub, plant or park fixture.
G. 
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird; nor shall he/she remove or have in his/her possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs, nest or young of any reptile or bird. If approved by the Director, fishing may be permitted. In addition, the Township reserves the right to allow trapping and/or culling if deemed necessary to protect the general habitat.
H. 
Light or cause to be lighted any fire, including the use of a grill, except in a designated picnic area or unless approved by the Director of the Township of Plainsboro.
No person in a public park, playground or recreation area shall:
A. 
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 shall or may result in the pollution of such waters.
B. 
Have brought in or shall dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage, 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 or are full, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence and shall be properly disposed of elsewhere.
C. 
Have brought in or leave on public property any equipment, furnishing, grills, amusements, or similar without being granted permission by the Director or designee, or as stipulated on a park permit.
No person in a public park, playground or recreation area shall:
A. 
Drive any motor vehicle on any area except the paved roads or parking areas or such areas as may upon occasion specifically be designated as temporary areas by the Director.
B. 
Park a motor vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area, and such parking shall be in accordance with posted directions and the instruction of any attendant who may be present.
C. 
Leave a motor vehicle standing or parked at night, or when the park is otherwise closed, in established parking areas or elsewhere in the park areas.
D. 
Fail to comply with all applicable provisions of the State Motor Vehicle Traffic Laws in regard to equipment and operation of vehicles.
E. 
Fail to obey the direction of a police officer or Township staff.
F. 
Fail to observe all traffic regulations and signs indicating speed, direction, caution, stopping or parking and all others posted for proper control and to safeguard life and property.
A. 
Boating shall be permitted in Plainsboro Pond, provided that permitted boats shall be limited to rowboats, rafts, canoes, sailboats and similar craft.
B. 
No gasoline-powered boats shall be permitted. No electric-powered boats with a motor in excess of 1 1/2 horsepower shall be permitted.
C. 
The Director may, from time to time, designate areas from which boats can be launched and may develop other regulations governing the use of boats on Plainsboro Pond.
D. 
No person shall navigate, direct or handle any boat in such a manner as to unjustifiably or unnecessarily annoy, frighten or endanger the occupants of any other boats.
E. 
Boats on Township waters are required to have one Type I, II, III or V Coast Guard approved PFD (personal flotation device) for each person on board. Boats in excess of 16 feet are required to carry one Type IV throwable PFD.
F. 
Ice skating and swimming are prohibited at the Plainsboro Pond.
G. 
Boats or related equipment may not be hitched, tied, or fastened to any tree or park structure not specifically designated and provided by the Township for such purpose.
The owner, keeper, or any person having charge or custody and control of any dog or other domestic animal, except a disability assistance animal, shall not allow that animal to enter upon any area in a public park, playground, or recreation area posted as a "no pets" zone. Posting shall be done in such a manner so as to clearly designate restricted areas. Dogs may be permitted off leash in the area of the Community Park designated "off-leash dog area." All dog owners who use this area shall abide by the off-leash dog area guidelines for use posted at the site. In all other areas in a public park, playground or recreation area, dog and domestic animal owners are required to restrain those animals on a leash no longer than six feet or a retractable lead capable of being shortened to six feet. No dogs or domestic animals, even if leashed, except a disability assistance animal, will be permitted in parks or Municipal Center grounds during a special event in that park or on the Municipal Center grounds. Animal owners, keepers, or any person having charge or custody of any animal shall be responsible to collect and remove animal feces from the park.
No person shall, in a public park, playground or recreation area, take any action or cause another person to take any action that would be a nuisance to other users of the park, playground or recreation area. Such action would include, but not be limited to, the following:
A. 
Playing a radio, amplifier or musical instrument too loudly.
B. 
Throwing stones, sticks and other missiles.
C. 
Soliciting, begging and posting notices.
D. 
Running lotteries and games of chance.
E. 
Shining bright lights on adjacent properties, except in Community Park where the ball field lights are under the control of the Township.
F. 
Obstruction or interference by person, object, or vehicle, within established parking areas or athletic courts.
A. 
No person shall consume or possess any alcoholic beverage on any property designated as a park, playground or recreational area.
B. 
No person shall consume or possess any alcoholic beverage on any property designated as a park, playground, recreational area or any other public facility.
[Added 12-9-2015 by Ord. No. 0-15-12]
A. 
The season for using lighted ball fields shall begin in mid-April and end by mid-November, the exact dates to be promulgated annually by the Director.
B. 
Hours of operation for the lights shall be set on timers maintained by the Township at the discretion of the Director.
C. 
Lighted fields will be available only on Monday through Saturday. Waivers from this policy may be granted, in unusual circumstances, at the discretion of the Director.
D. 
Fees for the use of lighted facilities will be assessed according to a schedule to be promulgated annually by the Director.
Any person using the Plainsboro Preserve shall abide by the requirements of this chapter, the Rules and Regulations Governing the Use of County Parks as adopted by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the deed restrictions imposed on the site. No swimming, hunting, fishing, ice skating, boating or trapping is permitted within the Preserve. A copy of the Rules and Regulations Governing the Use of County Parks as adopted by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders is available in the office of the County Park Commission and the deed restrictions are on file in the office of the Director and the Township Clerk.
[Added 7-25-2018 by Ord. No. 18-10[1]]
There shall be no deer hunting on Township property except for wildlife management purposes as approved by resolution of the Township of Plainsboro Committee, in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that "§ 25-5 shall remain in force and effect; provided, however, that where an inconsistency exists between this ordinance and § 25-5, this ordinance shall control. § 25-13 shall remain in force and effect; provided, however, that where an inconsistency exists between this ordinance and § 25-13, this ordinance shall control."
[Added 7-25-2018 by Ord. No. 18-10]
No person shall hunt, shoot, kill, or remove deer from any property owned by Plainsboro Township, including but not limited to Plainsboro Preserve, or enter such property while carrying or possessing any weapon otherwise lawfully possessed for the purposes of hunting, unless that person has first obtained a municipal deer management permit for such activity.
[Added 7-25-2018 by Ord. No. 18-10]
A. 
Permit eligibility. Municipal deer management permits shall be issued through a random lottery to any holder of a valid State of New Jersey hunting license age 18 or older. The Township reserves the right to limit the number of permits issued. All permits shall be site-specific and nontransferable.
B. 
Permit application process. All applications must be submitted in writing to the Township of Plainsboro Chief of Police, by the applicant, on a form promulgated by the Police Chief. Application forms may be made available online. The applicant shall provide the following information:
(1) 
Name, address, phone number, and date of birth.
(2) 
Automobile license plate number, year, make, model and color.
(3) 
Copies of the applicant's current and valid New Jersey hunting license(s).
(4) 
A signed certification that the applicant is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm and has not been convicted of any felony. Any applicant who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm or who has been convicted of a felony shall not be eligible for a municipal deer management permit.
(5) 
A release authorizing the Township to conduct a background check for violations of the New Jersey Fish and Game Code, N.J.A.C. 7:25-5 et seq., plus N.J.S.A. Title 23 and for violations of any local regulations pertaining to parks or to hunting. Any applicant who has violated any significant provision of the Fish and Game Code, Title 23 or has violated any local regulation pertaining to parks or to hunting within five years of the date of the application shall not be eligible for a permit.
(6) 
A copy of a current certificate of insurance confirming general liability insurance with combined single limits coverage for bodily injury and property damage of at least $1,000,000 per single occurrence and $1,000,000 annual aggregate, which can be satisfied through full membership in the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs or other sources.
(7) 
Applications shall be reviewed by the Plainsboro Township Police Department for accuracy and for compliance with the requirements set forth herein. After review, the Plainsboro Township Police Department shall either grant or deny the permit application.
C. 
Permit fees. To defray increased maintenance, materials, labor and administrative costs incurred by the Township in connection with its deer management program, the Township Committee may, by resolution, establish permit fees. The applicant shall submit the required fee to the Township with the completed application. Any application submitted without the required fee shall not be processed. Fees collected from applicants who do not receive a permit shall be returned to the applicant within 60 days of the denial.
D. 
Duration of permit. Permits shall be valid only during all applicable state-approved deer hunting seasons, as said dates may be amended from time to time by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Game Council. The Township Committee reserves the right to adjust the duration of the permits by resolution.
E. 
Revocation of permit. The Township Administrator, Clerk, Police Chief or designee shall be authorized to revoke any permit issued at any time if the safety of any persons or personal property, including that of the Township of Plainsboro, is threatened by a permittee. Violations by any permittee of any significant, applicable state or local rules and regulations pertaining to hunting or to the use of recreation land or Township property shall be cause for permit revocation. Authorized personnel may require such a permittee to leave the area immediately for just cause.
F. 
Enforcement. The Township Police Department shall be authorized to revoke a permit issued hereunder at any time if the safety of any persons or the safety of personal property, including that of the Borough, is threatened. Violations by any permittee of any significant state or local rules and regulations pertaining to hunting or use of parkland shall also cause the permit to be revoked. Where such permit has been revoked or where persons or personal property are endangered as set forth above, the Borough Clerk and the Police Department are authorized to require that such person or persons leave the area immediately and take all steps necessary to eliminate the condition which endangers persons or personal property.
G. 
Violations and penalties. Any hunting activity undertaken in violation of this chapter will result in the immediate loss of hunting privileges on the property and will subject the hunter to any applicable penalties, including but not limited to the general penalties set forth in this Code. The maximum penalty for a first offense shall be $500. The maximum penalty for a second or subsequent offense shall be $1,000. Any individual hunting on municipally owned property without a permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be considered trespassing and subject to the fines and may be prosecuted as trespassers.
H. 
Permit availability, designated properties and notifications. The number of permits issued each year, the properties for which the permits are issued and the dates on which those properties may be hunted, shall be determined annually by resolution of the Township Committee. A press release and/or notice informing the public of said designated dates and locations shall be published as follows: the Township's website, the Township's television channels, and a press release shall be provided to the official newspaper(s) of Plainsboro Township. Residents within 200 feet of these designated properties also will be notified by mail.
[Added 7-25-2018 by Ord. No. 18-10]
A. 
Any recipient of a permit under this chapter shall comply with all applicable state laws, as well as any rules and regulations promulgated by the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
B. 
Deer management program rules and regulations shall be determined annually by resolution of the Township Committee. In addition, the following requirements shall apply to all permitted hunters:
(1) 
Permits shall only apply to traditional hunting, meaning the pursuit of deer by licensed hunters during annual prescribed open seasons as approved by the Township Committee and provided by the Game Code (firearm and bow).
(2) 
All hunting shall be from commercially made tree stands maintained in safe condition and utilized according to the manufacturer's specifications and instructions. A commercially produced fall-restraint harness must be used at all times when using the tree stand. Only one tree stand is allowed per permit holder. Hunting from ground blinds, still hunting, and driving deer is prohibited. The type, size, and maintenance of tree stands shall be established by the Township Committee, by resolution, for each hunting season.
(3) 
All deer must be reported using the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife's Automated Harvest Report System.
(4) 
Permittees shall be authorized to hunt only the property for which they have been issued a permit and shall be responsible for knowing property boundaries and where they are at all times. Each permittee is required to carry his or her municipal deer management permit on their person when engaging in hunting activities on properties within this program. Tree stands must be identified with the permit number clearly readable from the ground. Vehicle permits must be displayed on the front left side of the dashboard of the authorized vehicle registered with the deer management program.
(5) 
Motorized vehicles shall be restricted to public roads and designated parking areas.
(6) 
Target practice is strictly prohibited. The legal discharge of a crossbow into a portable target at the hunt's end is not considered to be target practice.
(7) 
Season dates and bag limits shall comply with those designated by the State of New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Game Council for applicable deer management zones. Additional date and harvest restrictions may be determined annually by resolution of the Township Committee. Pursuant to state law, Sunday hunting is prohibited on municipal lands.
(8) 
The hunting, shooting, killing, pursuit, or removal of any other wildlife is strictly prohibited.
(9) 
Compliance with any additional conditions as may be deemed necessary to ensure the safety of residents by the Plainsboro Township Police Chief or Township Committee after reasonable notification. Such conditions may include limiting the days and times during which the permittees may hunt and restricting the areas within the parks or open spaces where hunting is permitted.
(10) 
Failure to comply with the rules and regulations in this chapter, or other applicable laws, rules, or regulations promulgated by the state or Township Committee, shall result in the forfeiture of a permit issued under this chapter and may affect future permit eligibility.