Recreation Policies

Cancellations

Unless a program is cancelled by the Recreation Department there will be absolutely no refunds or credit given for anyone wishing to withdraw from a program.

Combining & Cancelling Programs

Due to low enrollment, programs may be combined in order to run a successful program. Parents will be notified before a program begins of the change to the program. If a program has low enrollment and cannot be combined with another program, it may be cancelled. Credits or refunds will be issued for cancelled programs.

Parents & Participants Code of Conduct

Please keep in mind that, above all, the motivational factor for most children who enter an organized youth sports program is their desire to have fun. This is particularly true with young children, many of whom are newcomers to the youth sports scene. With a supportive attitude and a fundamental understanding of the “basics” of a particular sport, everyone will come away from their youth sports experience with a positive feeling. The guidelines that are set forth here also pertain to our summer playground program.

• Applaud good plays, don’t dwell on bad plays.
• Don’t yell if your child makes a mistake. Point out what they did well. Positive reinforcement goes a long way.
• Never lose sight of the fact that you are a role model for your child.
• Children imitate their parents. If you act inappropriately your child probably will copy your actions.
• Stress fair and sensible play. Stress the importance of the team play.
• Winning probably means more to you than it does to your child.
• The stands are not a place to shout personal instructions to your child.
• The Umpires and/or Referees are doing the best job they can possibly do. Take time to learn the rules of the game. It is easy to get “caught up” in the game. But please do not be abusive to our officials.
• Respect the coach’s decision and abilities. Remember that our coaches are volunteers. A “thank you” every once in a while is often reward enough.

First Time Children & Adult Registrants

First time youth registrants and all adult registrants will be required to show proof of residency. The only accepted forms of proof will be the following: driver's license, current tax or PSEG bill, water bill, renter’s agreement, deed to house or notarized letter from a landlord stating residency. The following are not accepted forms of proof: automobile registrations, bank checks or statements, cell phone bills, credit card bills. If proof is not provided at the time of sign ups, registration will be denied and "spots" will not be held. First time youth and all adult registrants taking advantage of the mail in pre-registration format need to include a photocopy of their residency proof. Forms that arrive without proper proof of residency will be sent back to the sender.

Copies of Birth Certificates need to accompany all applications for first time registrants. If this is not attached to the registration form, the registration will not be accepted and a "spot" will not be held. Forms that arrive without copies of birth certificates or copies of passports will be sent back to the sender.

In-Person & Mail-in Registration

During the pre-registration mail-in period of time, registration forms can be mailed in to the Recreation Office. Forms cannot be dropped off. After the listed deadline the pre-registration period will end and no other registration forms will be accepted or processed by the Recreation Office. Forms that arrive before the pre-registration period will be penalized and not processed until after the mail of the third work day. Forms that arrive postmarked after the deadline will be sent back. In person registration will be held on two days after the pre-registration period at Petruska Park between the hours of 9 and 11:45 a.m.; 1 and 3:45 p.m.; and 7 and 8:45 p.m.

The back of every registration form includes a Liability Waiver as well as the Zero Tolerance Policy notification and Withdrawal/Refund Policy. Registration forms that arrive without the Liability Waiver, Zero Tolerance Policy and Withdrawal/Refund Policy being properly completed will not be processed and will be mailed back. Please note, a parent’s signature is required three times on the back of each registration form. Please check to make sure that for every person registered all Liability Waivers, all Zero Tolerance Policy, all Withdrawal/Refund Policy notices have been signed. Starting dates and other pertinent information will be posted on your receipt. 

Payment

For those signing up online, it is important that you print out your receipt. Those who take advantage of Mail In Registration will have a receipt emailed to them as soon as the registration form has been processed by the Recreation Department. All registration forms that are mailed in must include full payment. Checks should be made out to “Paramus Recreation.” Individual checks are needed for activities that have enrollment limitations. Those registration forms arriving without payment will be sent back unprocessed. It is not necessary to send individual envelopes for every member of your family.

Late Registrations

Late registration will begin on after in-person registration and will end when a program is filled to capacity or the deadline for registration has passed. Thereafter, a waiting list for all filled and closed programs will be maintained by the Recreation Office. Late registration will be taken weekdays between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. Late registration will not be taken during the morning office hours. Please be aware that some programs might fill up prior to in person registration. The registration deadline
for each individual sport, including travel sports, can be found in the description of each individual activity.

Notice of Risk

I hereby understand that there is an element of risk in all physical activities. I hereby agree to hold harmless and otherwise indemnify the Borough of Paramus, its agents, servants and/or representatives from any injuries, including, but not limited to, medical and hospital expenses, that either I or my child may sustain as a result of my or my child’s participation in any activity sponsored by the Borough of Paramus, unless the injuries are the result of negligence on the part of the Borough of Paramus, its agents, servants and or representatives. I hereby certify that by affixing my signature to the registration form, as the registrant, or as the legal guardian or parent of any child participating in the Paramus Recreation Programs, that I have read the notice.

Online Registration

Online Registration will be available to those children who are already in the Paramus Recreation Department's computer system (any registration since Winter 2006/not including Paramus Junior Baseball or Babe Ruth Baseball). Online registration is not and will not be available to adults. Adults and any child registering for the first time must either mail in their registration forms (include proof of residency and for children copies of birth certificates) or come in person during the In Person Registration period of time during the above listed hours of operation. 

Online Registration will begin on Thursday, October 13th. Those programs that have enrollment limitations will accept up to 50% of their registrations through the online process. Once this quota has been achieved then the computer will automatically not allow any more online registrations. The reasons for a 50% limitation are because not everyone has access to a computer and not everyone feels comfortable using their credit cards for online purchases. Your printed receipt will include all vital information concerning the activities registered for.

Safety in Our Parks

The Recreation Commission is requesting that all persons operating a motor vehicle around and through the parking lots of our parks, playgrounds and ball fields, to please take it slow. Accidents can happen when children dart out from between parked cars or when Adults or Senior Citizens are preoccupied while walking. Everyone is at risk. Many lives would be ruined if someone in a hurry hits a child, parent grandparent or someone’s pet. So, please be especially cautious when driving through these areas.

Withdrawal / Refund Policy

There will be no refund or credit given if I choose to withdraw my children or myself from any Recreation Commission sponsored program.

Requests to Pair With Other Registrants

Requests to be placed on a team with another registrant will not be accepted except in the case of siblings. Other requests, such as for cousins or neighbors, will not be honored. Carpool requests will not be honored. Some programs, such as Summer Playground, may permit one request, see the individual program description for details.

Playing Time

Children registered for travel teams are not guaranteed any amount of playing time. These teams are competitive and playing time will be decided at the coach's discretion.

Schedule Conflicts

Children who are registered for more then one activity will experience scheduling conflicts. There will be conflicts between programs held in the same season. There will be conflicts for those who play on travel teams and want to participate in town programs. Credits or refund will not be given due to schedule conflicts. In many cases the schedule is not available at registration.

Volunteer & Veteran Discounts

All members of volunteer service organizations affiliated with the Borough of Paramus are entitled to a 50% discount of all registration fees. This discount does not apply to any costs associated with uniforms. Every season the volunteer’s service organization’s captain has to sign off on a certificate of certification that the member is indeed active in that organization. That certificate needs to be handed in with the registration forms.

Zero Tolerance Policy

The game will be stopped by the official when a parent, spectator, or participant displays inappropriate and/or disruptive behavior which interferes with the progress of the game. The official will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing them from the spectators viewing area and/or game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be made up and violators will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Paramus Recreation Commission. Inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include but is not limited to: 

• Cursing
• Destruction of equipment and/or property
• Fighting
• Taunting
• Threatening physical violence

Suspension & Hearing

Once the Recreation Commission is contacted regarding the infraction, the person(s) involved would be contacted by the Recreation Commission and immediately suspended from attending future Paramus Recreation sanction events pending a hearing. The Recreation Commission Judiciary Hearing could result in the following actions:

• Finding of insufficient cause for further action
• Suspensions of the person(s) from attending Recreation sanction events for a specified time period
• Being held personally liable for any fines or penalties levied due to the individual’s actions, or due to the actions of an individual under their care or supervision
• Banning persons from participating or attending from Recreation sanction events

In accordance of New Jersey Public Law 2002, c.74 (C.5:17-1 et seq.) the Recreation Commission would have the authority to require individual(s) culpable of the infraction(s) to submit proof that they successfully attended and completed anger management counseling through a public or private source at their own expense prior to consideration to being admitted back to participate or attend Recreation sanctioned events. Children who do not adhere to these rules and policies may be removed from their program at the discretion of the Recreation Commission after a hearing.