By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Anyone using a patch of Bowling Green park land for commercial purposes may soon have to pay a small fee for that privilege.
Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Board will vote at its February meeting on whether or not to adopt an outdoor commercial use activity permit and fee. The parks department has long charged rental fees to reserve park buildings for use.
Now the board will be considering a fee for a commercial use of outdoor park space – but only if the individual or group using the space charges a fee for people to participate, explained Kristin Otley, director of the city’s parks and recreation department.
The fee for using a “patch of grass” in a park for commercial uses is proposed to be $25.
Otley talked about exercise classes that pop up in some city parks. No city fee would be levied unless the class is charging a fee of participants.
When asked at the last park and rec meeting if professional photographers would be charged for using park areas for backgrounds, Otley said no fees were planned for that use.
The proposed outdoor commercial use permit application would include instructions, such as:
- No amplified sound will be allowed with any activity permit, and the program cannot impede on other people’s usage and enjoyment of the park.
- If approved for usage, the activity must remain in the designated space.
- Users would have to provide details on fee charged, activities involved, specific location involved, type of equipment used, length of time to be spent at location, number of participants, and number of staff/volunteers who will supervise activity.
- Park property must be returned to pre-event conditions. Any activities which result in the damage of park amenities are prohibited.
- The permit holder will be able to place one advertisement, up to 3-feet by 2-feet, on site while services are being provided. The sign must be removed at the conclusion of the program.
- Equipment should be easily hand-carried to and from the park, no vehicles may be driven outside of roadways and parking areas. No tents may be used.
- Upon approval, a standard $1 million insurance policy listing the City of Bowling Green as an additional insured, must be provided. The permit holder assumes complete responsibility and liability for any claims, losses, damages, expenses, penalties and judgments relating to or arising from the event.
