By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Some fees to rent park buildings in Bowling Green may soon increase – but only for those renters who trash the facilities.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Board voted Tuesday evening to change some of the fees associated with renting park buildings. The basic rental costs won’t increase.
“We did not want to raise the actual rental fees right now,” Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley said to the board.
However, Otley said the department needs to cover its costs when renters damage buildings or leave the facilities trashed when they depart.
Here are the proposed changes:
- Security deposit for a non-alcohol rental is currently $100, but will be raised to $150. Renters who do not do any damage and follow all the rental policies will receive their full deposit back after the rental. “A hundred dollars to some folks isn’t quite enough incentive to do the right thing,” Otley said, explaining the fees for rental with alcohol are already higher. Buildings have experienced damage like windows being broken and coat hooks being pulled off walls.
- An extra clean up fee will be charged. The current rate is $35 per hour, and the new rate would be $50 an hour. This would cover clean up beyond the normal for a building rental, when the staff has to spend additional time and materials to return the building to a usable state. “We want to make sure we’re, at the very least, covering our costs,” Otley said. “We want to encourage people to be responsible.”
- Early access fee will remain at $100, but the time will be limited to two hours. Building rentals begin at 11 a.m. on weekends and 9 a.m. on weekdays, so staff has time to clean buildings from rentals the night before, which can go until midnight. Otley said she understands that some renters need a little extra time, however, the staff also needs time to clean up from the previous rentals.
If approved by City Council, the new fees will go into effect in 2023. Any rentals already on the books will receive the rates that were in place when the rental agreement was finalized.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, Otley reported:
- Parks and Recreation Board member Ardy Gonyer will be the board’s liaison for the Parks and Recreation Foundation.
- The first BG Brew Fest is scheduled for Nov. 18, from 7 to 10 p.m., in the Veterans Building in City Park. Four local breweries are planning to participate.
- A meeting will be held with Bowling Green pickleball players to talk about phasing in of proposed pickleball courts outside the community center.
- The Citizens for BG Dog Parks organization is continuing to work on a feasibility study with BGSU’s Dr. Shannon Orr and her students.
- A new entrance apron off Conneaut Avenue has been installed at Simpson Garden Park. Security lights will soon be installed in the parking lot.
- The drive around City Park, with a new expanded area for walkers/runners, is almost completed.
- The inclusive playground in Carter Park is progressing. Several city departments are helping Wood County Plays with the project. “This is truly, truly a team effort,” Otley said.
