By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Rules addressing decorations and cancellation for Wood County Park District shelters and facilities are among the changes and additions to the rental rules recently approved by the board of park commissioners.
The changes were part of an overall effort to bring the county parks rental rules in line with other parks and rental facilities, said Christopher Smalley, director of the park district.
Glitter and confetti have become a clean-up problem for park personnel, he said., which prompted the change. The updated decorations rule prohibits glitter, confetti, confetti cannons and cold sparkler fountains, according to a park board document that outlined the rule changes and additions.
The previous rule prohibited the use of helium and water balloons and sidewalk chalk. In addition to glitter, confetti and cold sparkler fountains, the updated rules do not allow the release of balloons, birds, animals, insects, or the throwing of rice, birdseed, real or artificial flower petals or other loose material.
Alternatives that are allowed include candles in enclosed containers for inside decorations, and bubbles, whistles or noisemakers for outdoor celebrations.
Renters cannot use nails, staples, or tape for decorations and signs within the facilities or on park property. The use of tape was added to the restricted list after the John and Virginia Hankison Great Room at the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve sustained damage when taped decorations were removed.
Additional language was included in the updated rules to clarify that the reservation holder is responsible for the removal of all decorations and signs. Failure to comply with the rules, any damage or excessive cleanup will result in the loss of the deposit.
Cancellation policy for facilities
The board agreed to a new cancellation policy more in line with what other rental facilities and park districts use. Citing the old policy as “more generous than any other rental facility we could find,” the new policy changes the deadline for cancellations and the refunds allowed.
Under the old policy, people would reserve multiple dates and then cancel all but one, with only a $5 service fee charged if the cancellation was 14 days ahead of the rental date. “This kept other willing renters from booking it,” according to the rationale for the change.
In the new policy, there will be no refund of the rental fee or deposit for cancellation notices received less than 30 days prior to the rental date. Cancellations received from 30 to 59 days, will receive 50% of the rental fee and all of the deposit, minus a $25 service fee. For cancellations provided 60 days or more prior to the rental date, a full refund of the fee and deposit, minus a $25 service fee, will be provided.
Alcohol permit rules clarified
Rules related to alcohol permits for the park district were mostly clarified, Smalley said.
Alcohol is only permitted at Otsego Park inside the Thompson Stone Hall and on the patios, and at the W.W. Knight Preserve inside the John & Virginia Hankison Great Room, and on the deck.
A special-use alcohol permit costs $225 and must be purchased at least 10 days before the event via the Wood County Park District website (click on “Facilities”) or at the district headquarters, 18729 Mercer Road, Bowling Green.
Additional rules approved for the rental agreements address fundraising events, holidays, music, outdoor weddings, parking, signs, smoking, soliciting, overnight vehicle parking and weather.
Smalley reported an update to the rental fees for park facilities and shelter is expected to be on the board’s agenda in December.
In other business, the park commissioners:
- Authorized Smalley to enter into an agreement with the Wood County Sheriff and the county commissioners that will allow the park district to participate in a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) law enforcement records software accessing agency agreement.
- Accepted revisions to the employee manual for park district employees, which board chair Tom Myers praised as being “very thorough, well written and fair,” and updates to the park police manual.
- Learned the board meetings for 2024 will be on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. (Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10).
- Heard the district expects to learn about the Clean Ohio state grant for the J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve expansion.
- Took no action after an executive session to discuss land acquisition.
