N.J. Stat. tit. 40, ch. 32

N.J. Stat. tit. 40, ch. 32
in effect

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-2.1 Acquisition and maintenance of lands and interests for park, recreation, welfare and hospital purposes

The board of chosen freeholders of any county is authorized and empowered to acquire by gift, grant, contribution, devise, bequest or condemnation, lands and interests therein, within their respective counties, and to hold, develop, control, maintain and regulate the same for public park, public recreation, public welfare and hospital purposes; provided, however, that the power herein conferred upon a board of chosen freeholders to acquire by condemnation lands and interests therein shall not be exercised to acquire, for any of the purposes of this act, any lands or interests therein owned, used, or to be used by a public utility, as defined in section 48:2-13 of the Revised Statutes, in furnishing any commodity or service which by law it is authorized to furnish. L.1940, c. 33, p. 115, s. 1. Amended by L.1963, c. 48, s. 2, eff. May 27, 1963.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-2.2 Resolution of board; title

Such acquisition shall be by resolution of the board, and title thereto shall be taken in the name of the county of (here insert name of county). L.1940, c. 33, p. 115, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-2.3 Lands, buildings and structures

After such acquisition the board may erect, construct, and maintain on such lands, buildings and structures and the administration and maintenance thereof shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the board. L.1940, c. 33, p. 115, s. 3.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-2.4 Budget; limitations on appropriation

The board shall annually include in its budget the amount of money deemed necessary for maintaining any of the public parks, public welfare projects or hospitals operated and maintained as contemplated by this act; provided, however, that the amount so raised by such appropriation shall not be less than one-half of one mill on the dollar, nor more than three-quarters of a mill on the dollar of the assessed valuation of the taxables and ratables of the county. L.1940, c. 33, p. 116, s. 4.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-2.5 Use of federal funds

In any county in which lands and interests therein have been acquired as in this act provided, it shall be lawful for the board of chosen freeholders with funds made available by the Federal Government or any instrumentality thereof to use funds so obtained for the purposes of this act. L.1940, c. 33, p. 116, s. 5.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-2.6 Constabulary; establishment; members

Any county maintaining any public park or public recreation area as authorized by the act hereby supplemented, except for counties with county park commissions, may appoint and establish a constabulary to preserve order in the parks, parkways and recreation areas under its control, and to secure the enforcement of the rules and regulations adopted by it, and may organize the constabulary into a police system to be known as "the park police of the county of ." The police system shall consist of a chief and such subordinate officers as may be deemed necessary and proper for the enforcement of the rules and regulations of the county within the parks, parkways and recreation areas and the proper protection of public property therein. The county may establish proper rules and regulations for the appointment, control and management of the members of the constabulary, and from the securing of proper discipline and efficiency among the members thereof. The county shall require as a condition for permanent appointment as a member of the constabulary, the successful completion of a police training course at a school approved and authorized by Police Training Commission pursuant to P.L.1966, c. 56 (C. 52:17B-66 et seq.). L.1976, c. 90, s. 1, eff. Sept. 16, 1976.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-2.7 Arrests without warrant

The members and officers of the park police may arrest on view and without warrant, and conduct before the municipal court of the municipality in which the arrest is made, or the municipal court of a neighboring municipality, any persons found violating the rules and regulations adopted by the board of chosen freeholders for the protection, preservation, regulation and control of the parks, parkways and recreation areas, and all property and other things therein. L.1976, c. 90, s. 2, eff. Sept. 16, 1976.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-6 Acquisition and preservation of historical buildings and data

Any county may acquire, by gift or purchase, any real estate or any interests therein, together with any and all buildings thereon within the limits of the county for historical purposes, or for the purpose of preserving therein or thereon historical data and objects of historical interest.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.6 Counties not having park commission; acquisition of golf course and other recreational facilities

The board of chosen freeholders of any county in which a park commission shall not have been established may lease, or may acquire, in fee or less estate, by gift, devise, grant, purchase or condemnation any land or real estate and rights therein, improved or unimproved, within the county for use as a public golf course, and for such other recreational playground, or public entertainment purposes and activities as it may determine to provide in connection therewith; provided, however, that the power herein conferred upon a board of chosen freeholders to acquire by condemnation any land or real estate or rights therein shall not be exercised to acquire, for any of the purposes of this act, any land or real estate or rights therein owned, used, or to be used by a public utility, as defined in section 48:2-13 of the Revised Statutes, in furnishing any commodity or service which by law it is authorized to furnish. L.1958, c. 94, p. 538, s. 1. Amended by L.1963, c. 47, s. 1, eff. May 27, 1963.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.7 Maintenance, improvement and operation; buildings, structures and equipment

The board of chosen freeholders may preserve, care for, lay out, construct, maintain, improve, and operate any land or real estate it may acquire for use as a public golf course and for such other recreational, playground, or entertainment purposes and activities as it may determine to provide in connection therewith. It may construct, reconstruct, alter, provide, renew, and maintain such buildings or other structures and equipment as it may determine, and provide for the care, custody, and control thereof. L.1958, c. 94, p. 538, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.8 Taxes and bonds

The money necessary to pay for the lands, rights, or interest therein acquired for a public golf course and for such other recreational, playground, or public entertainment purposes and activities as the board of chosen freeholders may determine, and for improving and equipping the same may be raised by taxation or by the issuance of permanent or temporary loan bonds, or by both taxation and the issuance of bonds. Such bonds shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of article 1 of chapter 1 of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes (s.s. 40:1-1 et seq.). Such bonds may be regarded as having been authorized for a self-liquidating purpose, and the provisions of sections 40:1-77, 40:1-78 and 40:1-79 of the Revised Statutes shall apply to such bonds, except that the Local Government Board shall make the determinations therein required of the Board of Public Utility Commissioners. L.1958, c. 94, p. 539, s. 3.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.9 Supervision and control

The board of chosen freeholders may assign general supervision and control over the maintenance, operation and regulation of any such public golf course, and of all recreational, playground and public entertainment activities carried on by the county to any department of the county government, or, by resolution, provide for such supervision by the county recreation commission or by a board of commissioners, to be appointed by the board of freeholders to so serve without compensation. L.1958, c. 94, p. 539, s. 4. Amended by L.1975, c. 343, s. 1, eff. March 3, 1976.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.10 Appropriation by board of chosen freeholders

The board of chosen freeholders may annually appropriate money to be raised by taxation to develop, maintain, and operate a public golf course and all form of recreation, playground, and public entertainment activities carried on by the county. L.1958, c. 94, p. 539, s. 5. Amended by L.1975, c. 343, s. 2, eff. March 3, 1976.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.11 Fees, rents and charges

The board of chosen freeholders may establish, charge, and collect reasonable fees, rents or other charges for admission to, use or enjoyment of any property developed or used in whole or in part for a public golf course or for such other recreational, playground or public entertainment purposes and activities. And it may establish, charge, and collect reasonable fees, rents or other charges for any recreational privilege, entertainment, or other activity conducted on said premises or any part thereof. L.1958, c. 94, p. 539, s. 6. Amended by L.1975, c. 343, s. 3, eff. March 3, 1976.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.12 Rules and regulations

The board of chosen freeholders may by resolution make, alter, amend, and repeal rules and regulations for the supervision, regulation and control of all activities carried on, conducted, sponsored, arranged, or provided for in connection with a public golf course or other county recreational, playground or public entertainment facility, and for the protection of property, and may prescribe and enforce fines and penalties for the violation of any such rule or regulation. L.1958, c. 94, p. 540, s. 7. Amended by L.1975, c. 343, s. 4, eff. March 3, 1976.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.13 Actions for violations; enforcement of rules

The municipal court of the municipality in which the public golf course or other county recreational, playground or public entertainment facility is located shall have jurisdiction in actions for the violation of any such rule or regulation. The rules and regulations shall be enforced by the same proceedings and processes, and the practice for the enforcement thereof shall be the same as that provided by law for the enforcement of other ordinances of the municipality. L.1958, c. 94, p. 540, s. 8. Amended by L.1975, c. 343, s. 5, eff. March 3, 1976.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.14 Fines and penalties; disposition

All moneys collected either as fines or penalties for violation of a rule or regulation shall be forwarded by the clerk of the court to the county treasurer. L.1958, c. 94, p. 540, s. 9.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.15 Lease of lands and buildings acquired for public golf course and other recreational purposes

Whenever a board of chosen freeholders which shall have established a public golf course and related recreational facilities pursuant to this act, deems it to be in the interest of the county so to do, the board may by resolution authorize the leasing of all or any portion of the land and buildings for use by the public as a golf course and such other public recreational, playground or public entertainment purposes and activities as the board may determine. No such lease shall be made for a term in excess of 20 years. L.1958, c. 94, p. 540, s. 10.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.16 Bids for leases

Any lease executed hereunder shall be upon competitive bids following public advertisement therefor, in a newspaper circulating in the county, at least once, not less than 20 days prior to the receipt of bids. The advertisement shall designate the time and place of a meeting of the board of chosen freeholders at which the bids shall be received. At such time and place, the governing body, or any committee thereof having authority to do so, shall receive sealed bids and immediately proceed to unseal them and publicly announce the contents thereof. A record of the rentals, other consideration and terms offered shall be made in the minutes of the board for each bid. No bid shall be received previous to the hour designated in the advertisement and none shall be received thereafter. The lease shall be awarded to the highest responsible bidder. L.1958, c. 94, p. 540, s. 11.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.17 Power conferred as additional

The power conferred in this act is in addition to those given by any other law or laws. L.1958, c. 94, p. 541, s. 12.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-7.18 County golf courses

Any county which has received federal or State funds for the acquisition or development of public golf courses and which offers reduced senior citizen rates to its residents may allow any resident of the State 62 years of age or older to use these golf courses at the reduced rate. L. 1988, c. 178, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-14 Veterans' housing projects; acquisition and use

The board of chosen freeholders of any county is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by purchase, gift, grant, contribution, devise, bequest, relinquishment or transfer, lands in the county, or any interest therein, together with any and all improvements thereon, which shall have been improved by the Federal Government or by any county, municipality or other public body of the State with the assistance of the Federal Government, through the construction or installation thereon of dwelling accommodations, and shall at the time of such acquisition be in use as a veterans' housing project, and to hold, improve, control, operate, maintain, regulate and use the same for the purpose of providing housing or means of shelter for veterans of World War II, their families, and other people of the State. L.1951, c. 116, p. 524, s. 1, eff. May 29, 1951.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-15 Resolution; title

Such acquisition shall be authorized by resolution of the board, and title to such lands and other property shall be taken in the name of the county. L.1951, c. 116, p. 525, s. 2, eff. May 29, 1951.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-16 Operation and use of veterans' housing projects

After such acquisition the board may operate, maintain, regulate and use such lands and buildings and structures thereon, and improve and equip the same, for the purpose of providing housing or means of shelter for veterans of World War II, their families, and other people of this State, and the administration, operation, maintenance, improvement, and regulation thereof shall be in accordance with the rules adopted by the board. L.1951, c. 116, p. 525, s. 3, eff. May 29, 1951.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-17 Leases

After such acquisition, the board may from time to time lease such lands with the improvements, equipment, furnishings and other property thereon, or any part of any thereof, to any person, group, authority, or corporation to provide housing or means of shelter for veterans of World War II, their families, and other people of this State for such period, for such rental and on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine. L.1951, c. 116, p. 525, s. 4, eff. May 29, 1951.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-18 Disposition of property when no longer needed for housing purposes

When the board shall by resolution determine that it would be advantageous to the county to use any or all of such lands or other property for public purposes other than housing, or that pressing need for such housing no longer exists, then and thereafter, the board may use such lands or other property, or any part thereof, for any public purpose or may sell and convey such lands or other property, or any part thereof, free of restrictions or conditions and in the manner provided by law. L.1951, c. 116, p. 525, s. 5, eff. May 29, 1951.

N.J. Stat. § 40:32-19 Appropriation for operating

The county may appropriate, and the board shall annually include in the budget, the amount of money deemed necessary for operating, maintaining, improving and regulating such lands and buildings and structures thereon. L.1951, c. 116, p. 526, s. 6, eff. May 29, 1951.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026

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