Recreation Department

Mountain Lakes Recreation Department Halloween Porch/Door Decorating Contest

Submit a photo of your door or porch and send your street address to recreation@mtnlakes.org. Deadline for submission is October 23^rd.

Top 3 homes win a lawn sign announcing their victory and a $50 gift card to either The Station or Hapgoods Restaurants.

Winners will be notified via email and announced on Borough of Mountain Lakes Facebook page and website on October 30^th.

OPEN TO MOUNTAIN LAKES RESIDENTS ONLY. YOU MUST RESIDE IN MOUNTAIN LAKES TO ENTER.

Rules/Regulations:

• The deadline to submit your photos (max of 5 photos per entry) are 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2024. NO EXCEPTIONS
• Judges will be looking at overall creativity, special effects, lighting, theme, etc.
• Each winner will receive a gift and a lawn sign displaying their win.
• Decorations cannot cover/interfere with any fire safety equipment or walkways.
• Decorations/displays must be viewable from the street.
• No professional installations.
• Entries cannot be made up of multiple neighbor structures or homes.
• Mountain Lakes Recreation representatives will deliver yard signs for winners to display on their property at the conclusion of the contest.
• Participants give permission for their home to be photographed and their address to be listed on Mountain Lakes, NJ social media outlets and official websites.
• Participants agree to hold harmless the Borough of Mountain Lakes for any incidents or accidents that may occur, directly or indirectly, as a result of the Halloween Porch/Door Decorating Contest.
• Participants understand that the decision of the judges is final.
• Questions: contact Mountain Lakes Recreation Director, Laurie Stepper at recreation@mtnlakes.org or 973.334.3131×2004.

Tennis Court Rules

1. Courts are for the sole use of Mountain Lakes residents, Mountain Lakes High School students, and their guests.
2. Courts are for tennis only. All other activities are prohibited.
3. No pets, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, glass containers, or alcoholic beverages allowed.
4. Players must yield to waiting players after one hour.
5. Courts reserved by MLHS and ML Recreation Department have priority over other users.
6. All group tennis lessons must be approved by ML Recreation Department.
7. Teaching professionals who are Mountain Lakes residents have the same court rights as any ML resident. Other teaching professionals may only use the courts to instruct ML residents.
8. Courts must be left clean with trash and recyclables placed in the appropriate containers.

Tennis court privileges may be revoked for misuse or misconduct. Individuals using the courts who are not ML residents and not accompanied by an ML resident are trespassing and may be fined accordingly.

MLHS Tennis Teams typically have all courts reserved in the Fall and Spring on Monday-Friday 3-6pm and Saturdays 8-10am. Recreation Programs typically have one set (3 courts) reserved on Sundays from 8:30am-4:30pm, the other set of courts are open for resident use.

Youth Sports Programs provided by USA Sports Group– click HERE for more information and to register for squirts soccer, flag football, multi-sport, and tennis programs.

Fall Field Hockey and Junior Cross Country – click on the respective Field Hockey and Track links on the left under Youth Sports for more information

TJD Sports Academy Fall Basketball Program

Beach Tags 2024 Application

Mountain Lakes Swim Test

The swim test is given to children 12 years and younger for them to:

1) Swim in deep water areas (past their shoulders)

2) Use diving boards (if open)

3) Be on docks (if open)

4) Be on swimming or diving team (if open)

• Children who pass this test may come to the beach alone if they are at least 10 years old.
• The test is only administered at Birchwood Beach, 11am-4pm every day from the day after schools out through Labor Day but gives the child privileges at both Birchwood and Island Beach.
• A child may only take the beach test once per day.
• To pass the swim test:
  • The child must be able to swim the designated distance using the front crawl stroke with good rotary breathing.
  • His/her face fully submerged in the water.
  • They must be visibly exhaling into the water.
  • They must swim the entire distance without stopping.
  • They must show the endurance to be able to swim the distance without total exhaustion.
  • They must also have an acceptable back crawl and be able to tread water.

The lifeguard administering the swim test will explain the test and what is necessary to pass before the child makes their attempt. They will then provide feedback regarding the reasoning behind the pass/fail after the test. Both children and parents are encouraged to ask the lifeguard questions to know what needs to be improved in order to pass.

Mountain Lakes Rules for Birchwood Lake and Island Beach Rules and Enforcement

• Recreational facilities are open dawn to dusk. Volleyball is open until 11pm.
• Lifeguards are in full charge of the beach
• Beach is open to residents only
  1. Beach tags are required for residents 3 years and older when lifeguards are on duty
  2. Proof of residency is required at all other times
  3. Beach tags are non-transferable
• Beach tags and privileges attached may be withdrawn for misconduct or using a tag not registered to you
• Children who must be accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older:
  1. All children under 10 years of age
  2. Children 10 years through 12 years who have not passed the swim test and received a swim badge
• Swim badges must be worn on the suit
• Children 12 years and under without a swim badge are restricted to shallow water areas
• Swimmers over 12 years of age and those who are wearing swim badges:
  1. May use deep water areas (swim lanes, rafts, and diving boards)
  2. Swim Pre-Team members may utilize the swim lanes during Swim Practice only.  Must be supervised by Swim Coach
• No personal floatation devices (bubbles, vests, floaties, lifejackets, etc.) of any kind except in swim classes
• No running, pushing, or roughhousing on beach, rafts, or docks
• Ball playing only at the far end of the beach
• No glass containers on the beach
• No alcoholic beverages permitted
• No dogs permitted on the beach
• Special events require permits
• No fishing allowed on the docks at Birchwood Lake any time during the summer

• No fishing allowed on the beaches while beaches are open
• No sitting or waiting on the floating docks
• Restrooms will be open during beach hours and will be maintained

PUBLIC PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND FIELDS:

ALL township parks, playgrounds and fields are currently open.  Please adhere to all posted rules and regulations.

For further details, contact the Recreation Department through email at recreation@mountainlakes.gov.