[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Mantua 7-9-1968; amended in its entirety 7-22-1997 (Ch. 121 of the 1978 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Recreation Committee — See Ch. 7, Art. VIII.
Consumption of alcohol in public — See Ch. 108, Art. II.
Littering — See Ch. 247 and Ch. 346, Art. V.
Protection of trees — See Ch. 387.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
All parks in the Township of Mantua shall be operated and maintained under the supervision of the Township Committee.
A. 
The Public Safety Director, the Chief of Police and the Police Department of the Township of Mantua shall see to the enforcement of this chapter and any other ordinances relating to the parks, and they shall enforce all rules relating to the use of parks.
B. 
Any member of the Township Committee Park Director, or any authorized personnel shall have the authority to eject from any park area any person or persons acting in violation of this chapter.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
No amusement for gain or for which a charge is made can be conducted in a park without the consent of the Township Committee, and such amusement must be conducted in accordance with any ordinance pertaining thereto.
A. 
Any person, entity or corporation who or which violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by one or more of the following:
(1) 
Imprisonment in the county jail or any place provided by the municipality for the detention of prisoners for a term up to but not exceeding 90 days.
(2) 
A fine of not less than $100 nor more than $2,000.
(3) 
A period of community service up to but not exceeding 90 days.
(4) 
Any combination of the above.
B. 
Each day that a violation exists, occurs or continues shall constitute a separate offense for the purpose of imposing the penalties referred to above.
A. 
It is the intent of the Township of Mantua to encourage the citizens of the community to utilize the Township's facilities for their enjoyment and recreation. However, it should be duly noted that all Mantua Township programs and activities are given preference in the use of facilities.
B. 
All Mantua Township property is used conditionally upon the good behavior of the user, and if rules and regulations are broken, of property damages, future applications could be rejected. The applicant will be responsible for the preservation of good order and will be held liable for any damages to or loss of Township property. Reparation for damages or loss of Township property must be made within 45 days.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
C. 
All injuries shall be immediately reported to the Mantua Township Police Department, at which time all necessary accident forms must be completed. The Police Department will notify the Township Administrator at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
D. 
Prohibited activities. No person in a park shall:
(1) 
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, displace or remove any buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, paving or paving material, 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, 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 five years shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.
(3) 
Throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, bay or any other body of water in or adjacent to any park, or any tributary, stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such waters, any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said waters.
(4) 
Have brought in or 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 so 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.
(5) 
Use any sound-amplifying device, such as a radio, tape or compact disc player or "boom box," in such a manner as to create a disturbance or be an annoyance to others using park facilities.
(6) 
Do any temporary construction work, such as installing temporary seating platforms or runways, or install any additional lighting equipment without written approval of the Park Director.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
(7) 
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 grassed areas or in any other way injure the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.
(8) 
Take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, golf 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, lacrosse, baseball, hockey and soccer is prohibited except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor. Rollerskating shall be confined to those areas specifically designed for such pastime.
(9) 
Utter loud, offensive, obscene, threatening or abusive language or make offensive or insulting remarks to any other person or persons.
(10) 
Enter an area posted as "Closed to the Public"; nor shall any person use or abet in the use of any area in violation of posted notices.
(11) 
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.
A. 
The parks shall be opened to the public as posted; and it shall be unlawful for any person or persons, other than Township personnel conducting Township business therein or recognized groups who have first obtained permission from the Park Director, to occupy or be present in said parks during any hours in which the park is not open to the public.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
B. 
Any section or part of the park may be declared closed to the public by the Park Director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular or stated intervals.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
C. 
Rain-outs are called with the welfare of park facilities in mind. Rain-outs are not negotiable. Pressure brought upon park staff to reopen rained-out fields will not be tolerated. Fields will be closed during thunder and lightning.
A. 
Whenever any group, association or organization desires to use said park facilities such as ball fields, asphalt playing surfaces, the pavilion, the refreshment stand, etc., for a particular purpose, such as picnics, parties or theatrical or entertainment performances or sporting activities, a representative of said group, association or organization shall first obtain a permit from the Park Director for such purposes. The Park Director may adopt an application form to be used for such situations.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
B. 
The Park Director shall grant the application if it appears that the group, association or organization will not interfere with the general use of the remainder of the park by individual members of the public and if said group, association or organization meets all other conditions contained in the application. The application may contain a requirement for an indemnity bond to protect the Township from any liability of any kind or character and to protect Township property from damage.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
C. 
The Park Director, in the exercise of his or her discretion and when special circumstances exist and the public interest and general welfare of the community warrant the same, may change, modify, waive, alter or amend the definition of "recognized group" as defined below as well as the application procedure and the criteria for use.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
D. 
Procedures for use by recognized groups.
(1) 
A "recognized group" is defined as a nonprofit [Internal Revenue Code 501 (C)(3)] recreational, cultural or social organization, group or club.
(2) 
Recognized groups shall be given priority when scheduling any and all facilities within the parks.
(3) 
Permission for the use of Mantua Township facilities may be secured by completing the application form and submitting the request to the Park Director at least 45 calendar days prior to the anticipated date of the use, but not more than one year in advance.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
(4) 
All requested materials, including master schedules, insurance requirements, etc., will be submitted with the application form, or permission to use the facility may be denied.
(5) 
The Park Director will review the application for approval, and the applicant will receive written notification from the Park Director advising whether the facility use application has been approved or denied.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
(6) 
The application for facility use must be approved before the use is permitted. Users may be required to produce a copy of an approved application if requested by an official of the Township.
(7) 
Striping and lining shall be performed by the recognized group granted permission to use the facility requested. Only materials approved by the Park Director may be used.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
E. 
Public use and availability.
(1) 
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the public everyday of the year during the designated hours. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall be posted therein for public information.
(2) 
Mantua Township prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, age, religion, veteran's status, marital status or handicap. It is committed to a program of affirmative action in compliance with Title IX.
(3) 
Although preference in scheduling facilities is given to recognized groups, discrimination on the basis of residence, including preferential reservation, membership or annual permit systems, is prohibited except to the extent that reasonable differences in admission and other fees may be maintained on the basis of residence in any park.
(4) 
Members of the general public must reserve any of the facilities in the parks in the same manner as a recognized group. The number of times the applicant has previously reserved a facility will be considered by the Park Director when granting approval of an application.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
(5) 
The use of all athletic facilities within the parks by the public which have not been previously scheduled and for which no application has been submitted and approved shall be on a first-come-first-served basis and limited as to time as follows:
(a) 
Tennis courts: Play shall be limited to one hour if there are others waiting to use the courts.
(b) 
Street/roller hockey rink: Play shall be limited to one hour if there are others waiting to use the rink.
(c) 
Basketball courts: Play shall be limited to 30 minutes if there are others waiting to use the courts.
(d) 
Softball field: Play shall be limited to 1 1/2 hour if there are others waiting to use the field.
(e) 
Multipurpose fields (soccer, football, etc.): Play shall be limited to one hour if there are others waiting to use the field.
(6) 
The use of all other facilities, not previously scheduled, will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
(7) 
Permits do not grant the use of facilities, equipment, supplies, etc., not specifically stated in the permit. A permit is not transferable; that is, the organization acquiring permission to use a Mantua Township facility cannot transfer permission to use said facility to another organization or group.
F. 
In addition to all other provisions of Chapter 291 of the Code of the Township of Mantua, use of the pavilion in Chestnut Branch Park shall be subject to the following fees, payable in advance upon the approval of the application and prior to the issuance of the permit referenced in § 291-7A.
[Added 4-17-2017 by Ord. No. O-4-2017]
(1) 
For residents: $20 per hour.
(2) 
For nonresidents: $40 per hour.
No person in a park shall:
A. 
Picnic or lunch in places other than those designated for that purpose. Attendants shall have the authority to regulate such 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.
B. 
Use any portion of the picnic areas or of any of the buildings or structures therein for the purpose of holding picnics to the exclusion of other persons nor use such areas and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded unless an approved application from the Park Director for said use has been obtained.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
C. 
Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers, cans, bottles, garbage and other refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available, then refuse and trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker and properly disposed of elsewhere.
A. 
No person shall 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 hereafter adopted. No person shall swim, bathe or wade in any waters or waterways, lakes or ponds except in areas so designated and posted by the Park Director and only at such times as an official swimming guard shall be present and on duty.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
B. 
No person shall dress or undress on any beach or in any vehicle, toilet room or other place except in such bathing houses or structures as may be provided for that purpose.
C. 
No person or persons shall bring upon any public park or on the waters of any public park any boat or other aquatic device without the written permission of the Park Director.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle, motorcycle, minibike, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or any similar motor-driven device in any area of any park not designated for its use and in excess of a speed of 20 miles per hour.
It shall be unlawful for any person to build fires or use cooking devices of any kind except in areas so designated.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003; 8-16-2021 by Ord. No. O-16-2021]
It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke, vape or otherwise use an electronic smoking device, as defined herein, in any area posted against smoking or vaping by the Mayor and Township Committee. "Electronic smoking device" means any electronic product that delivers nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), electronic cigars (e-cigars), electronic pipes (e-pipes), vape pens, or electronic hookahs (e-hookahs). "Electronic smoking device" shall also include any component or accessory of such a device, whether sold separately or not, including any filters and liquids used in such devices. "Electronic smoking device" shall not include any similar devices approved for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for medicinal purposes as those devices are defined in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to bring or harbor any animals in the park known as "Chestnut Branch Park," except for dogs, subject to the following regulations:
[Amended 3-11-2024 by Ord. No. O-2-2024]
(1) 
No dog shall be permitted to run at large and all dogs shall be restrained by a leash no greater than six feet in length.
(2) 
Every dog shall possess a valid license tag pursuant to § 120-4 of the Township Code.
(3) 
Every person possessing a dog is required to immediately pick up and dispose of said dog's waste.
(4) 
Potentially dangerous dogs or vicious dogs as defined by state statutes N.J.S.A. 4:19-22 and 4:19-23 are prohibited.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a horse in any areas of a park except those designated as bridle paths by the Township Committee, and it shall be unlawful for any person to ride any horse in the bridle paths and pathways in a careless and reckless manner or to permit a horse to be untethered in a park.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession, custody or control any alcoholic beverage (including beer) of any kind whatsoever, and all coolers, thermoses and containers are subject to inspection. Any person deemed under the influence of intoxicants or drugs will not be permitted on Township property.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
No person in a park shall, unless approved by the Park Director:
A. 
Including any regularly licensed concessionaire, expose or offer for sale any article or thing, nor station or place any stand, cart or vehicle for the transportation, sale or display of any such article or thing.
B. 
Announce, advertise or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire.
C. 
Paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement or inscription whatsoever, nor erect or cause to be erected any sign whatever on any public lands or highway or roads adjacent to a park.
[Amended 3-11-2003 by Ord. No. O-7-2003]
It shall be unlawful for any person to skate, sled or walk on any lake, stream or pond in any area in a park which has not been approved and posted for such use by the Park Director.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to bring into any public park at any time any firearms of any nature or description or to bring into said parks or have in their possession or use any fireworks of any nature or description. Firearms include paintball guns which use a carbon dioxide cartridge or other propellant to discharge a capsule containing any dye or other substance. Hunting and trapping in any park is prohibited.