Park Liability and Park Plants

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Take preventative steps to limit your liability in a park setting and stay out of the courtroom.

park and playground aerial view

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Park Liability and Park Plants
Course Code: AL0904CA26
Date of Most Recent Offering: March 6, 2026

Date: February 24, 2026 March 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Check-in time: 8:30 am)

Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course

Registration Fee: $210 per person

Registration Closes: February 22, 2026 March 4, 2026

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Certificate iconThis class is part of the Public Grounds Management Certificate Program.

During this class, sports field expert Scott Bills will discuss your responsibilities, your liability, and how to stay out of the courtroom – also, the best way to be prepared should you end up in litigation.  Later horticulturist Steve Kristoph will discuss some of the best plants that can be used in a park setting as well as some of the ones to avoid.

Who Should Attend?

This class is intended for professionals who work in parks and related settings.

Meet Your Instructors

Scott Bills, Sports Field Solutions, LLC

Headshot of instructor Steve Kristoph

Scott Bills is a nationally recognized Certified Sports Field Manager and president of New Jersey-based Sports Field Solutions, LLC.

With more than 40 years’ experience, Scott has designed, constructed and renovated hundreds of sports fields and athletic complexes in addition to numerous golf courses.

Scott expertly evaluates, consults and manages natural and synthetic athletic field projects across the United States. Scott also provides formal training to school grounds departments, parks maintenance departments and private sports organizations, helping them improvement the safety, playability and appearance of their fields. For more than 10 years, Bills has been teaching courses for the Rutgers University Department of Continuing Education related to sports field construction, maintenance and park liability.

Scott also provides site evaluations, inspections and expert witness services for both plaintiff and defendant cases specifically related to sports field issues and contract disputes.

Scott lives in New Jersey and has two daughters and three grandsons.

Steve Kristoph, Steven Kristoph Nursery

Headshot of instructor Steve Kristoph

Steve Kristoph is widely known for his encyclopedic knowledge of plant material. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from Rutgers University, and he has been an adjunct instructor at Rutgers for more than 25 years. He also owns and operates Steven Kristoph Nursery in Monmouth County, NJ, where he grows many types of ornamental trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials. The landscaping division of his business, P. Steven Kristoph Garden Design, serves both residential and commercial customers and offers a full range of services, including design, installation, maintenance and seasonal color. Steve is passionate about plants and enjoys sharing his passion with others.

Student Reviews

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Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Park Liability and Park Plants was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Park Liability and Park Plants course (5.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): Pending

Course Requirements and Policies

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least two (2) weeks in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

coronavirus icon COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Red checkmark in circle iconPre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

Icon of map marker over folded mapLocation Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Red car iconCampus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

  • A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
  • When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
  • All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Park Liability and Park Plants, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

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Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Turf management specialist Matt Henn prepares practice fields for Rutgers football team

Athletic Field Maintenance and Construction

Couple strolling on paved path through well maintained park with trees and flowers

Public Grounds Management Certificate Program

Two women in a garden surrounded by small trees, potted plants, and a watering can

Caring for Ornamental Plants

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