By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
Kristine SnodgrassStaff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — As the weather warms and golfers start itching to get out their clubs, a new ordinance may keep them from practicing their drives in township parks.
The ordinance, introduced at last week’s council meeting, would amend the township’s current legislation to prohibit hitting golf balls in any township park or recreation land.
Township Administrator Christopher Marion said the ordinance was proposed in response to complaints from residents, who said the leftover balls were posing a danger to soccer players, who could step on a ball and turn an ankle.
In particular, golfers were practicing at the Conover Road Athletic Complex, which is near the Mercer Oaks Golf Course. It includes a football field, three soccer fields and four baseball fields, and is used by the West Windsor-Plainsboro Junior Football Club, the West Windsor-Plainsboro Soccer Association and the West Windsor Little League, according to the township Web site.
Councilman George Borek said that when run over by a lawn mower, stray golf balls are “thrown out like projectiles,” endangering park users.
”It’s a safety concern,” he said.
The golf balls were also causing damage to township lawn mowers, portable lights for athletic fields, as well as storage containers, said recreation manager Ken Jacobs. He reported on the problem to council in November.
Mr. Jacobs said he has seen golfers hitting in just about every open space in the township.
”It’s just the fact that when you hit golf balls, you don’t always get them all,” he said.
If passed, the move would restrict golfers to private courses. However, the township is considering selecting a piece of public land for golfers to use, Mr. Borek said.
”We’ll work on trying to have a designated place just for golfers,” he said.
A public hearing on the ordinance will be held March 2.
