40:12-20. Findings, declarations relative to county, municipal parks

1. The Legislature finds and declares that county and municipal parks in the State are deteriorating due to a lack of proper maintenance, operation, or improvement; that the use and enjoyment of such parks is diminished by their poor condition; that counties and municipalities often do not have the funds to expend for the proper maintenance, operation, or improvement of their parks; that proper maintenance, operation, and improvement helps extend the life of park facilities, thereby reducing the need in some cases for large public capital expenditures for new park facilities and allowing any savings resulting therefrom to be used for other public purposes; that private businesses located near county or municipal parks have a public service interest as well as a private financial incentive in ensuring that such parks are well cared for; that such businesses often have financial and other resources available to them to devote to such a worthy purpose; that many nonprofit organizations would welcome the opportunity for their members and volunteers to assist counties or municipalities in the maintenance, operation, or improvement of county or municipal parks in a spirit of public service; and that, therefore, it is appropriate to authorize counties and municipalities and private businesses or nonprofit organizations to establish mutually beneficial partnerships in the manner prescribed by this act that will result in county and municipal parks that are better maintained, operated, and improved for the use and enjoyment of the public.

L.1992,c.101,s.1; amended 1996, c.132, s.1.