tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11700422.post4256310801407909429..comments2023-05-24T08:31:01.030-06:00Comments on Denver Direct: Parks Policy in the MakingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11700422.post-74995905665345438812008-02-14T10:32:00.000-07:002008-02-14T10:32:00.000-07:00Newspaper Looks at Parks Policy Talks on Admission...Newspaper Looks at Parks Policy Talks on Admission<BR/><BR/>In a front-page story, Denver Daily News reporter Peter Marcus examines the positions involved in developing a coherent policy on events which would inhibit full public access.<BR/><BR/>Reprinted with permission, here is the text of the story published February 13, 2008:<BR/>___________________<BR/> <BR/>Parks Event Idea Panned<BR/> Neighbors worry over impact,<BR/> no access to public property<BR/><BR/>By Peter Marcus<BR/>Denver Daily News Staff Writer<BR/><BR/>Neighbors are concerned that a city proposal to allow commercial special events in city parks would lock people out of public property and create a chaotic environment of congestion and noise.<BR/><BR/>The city has proposed a policy for event promoters to obtain a permit for hosting major events in seven of the city's parks, including Sloan's Lake, City Park, Confluence Park, Civic Center, Creekfront Park, Skyline Park and Sculpture Park at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. The proposal was suggested after AEG Live regional President and Chief Executive Chuck Morris proposed holding a two-day music and arts festival in City Park.<BR/><BR/>Morris met resistance not only from neighbors, but also from Denver Zoo officials who said the festival - that is expected to attract 50,000 people per day on July 19-20 - would disrupt the nearby animals in the zoo. Morris has since announced plans to move the Mile High Music and Arts Festival to Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.<BR/> <BR/> Seeking less red tape, opposition<BR/><BR/>But city officials have since tried to work out a policy so that event promoters like Morris are able to use the seven parks for major events, without as much opposition and red tape. City Park neighbor David Felice says it is unfair for the city to permit commercial promoters on public property.<BR/><BR/>“By doing this, the city is essentially denying free and open access to our public parks,” said Felice. “The parks should be open to the public.”<BR/><BR/>City leaders and neighborhood organizations meet to continue discussing the proposal.<BR/><BR/>Felice said the permitting would be different than other city festivals like A Taste of Colorado and the People’s Fair, because admission would be charged to enter the park and a perimeter would be established to keep patrons without tickets from entering.<BR/><BR/>“This is a policy that is strictly covering the privilege of allowing commercial organizations to use public property to in effect usurp the public’s right to use that property,” said Felice. <BR/><BR/>But Scott Robson, deputy manager of parks and planning, said events like A Taste of Colorado already exclude those from the park who do not wish to be a part of the festivities.<BR/><BR/>“Although events like that are not fee-based, if you don't want to be a part of that particular festival then you are effectively locked out, or you have to use a different portion of the park,” he said. “What goes on today in Denver's city parks is that there are a lot of events today that parallel fee-based events.”<BR/><BR/> Impact<BR/><BR/>Felice is also concerned about what the impact of a major festival or event would have on the individual neighborhoods themselves.<BR/><BR/>“There is the very real potential for serious, near catastrophic disruption of neighborhood life, and that is a big concern,” he said, adding that if the city wants to allow for large commercial productions in the city's parks, then it should build an amphitheater in a part of the city that wouldn't be disturbed by the event.<BR/> <BR/>Robson said the city is only in a very preliminary planning stage and that his department is open to hearing from neighbors about their concerns in order to find a solution that would not catastrophically disrupt neighborhood life.<BR/><BR/>“There are so many questions still left to be answered. That's why we pulled together this broad-based group within the special events policy committee that does include those registered neighborhood organizations,” said Robson. “They're the ones who know the neighborhoods the best.”<BR/><BR/>Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Jill McGranahan added that each special event would be handled on a case-by-case basis concerning parking and occupancy issues. She said that when the city was working with Morris on the proposed Mile High Music and Arts Festival in City Park, it was suggested that 1 percent of ticket sales be donated to individual neighborhood organizations to benefit the specific neighborhood. McGranahan said a similar proposal would likely be suggested for future special events if the city adopts a policy.<BR/><BR/> Morris: Parks are best<BR/><BR/>Morris said that as a concert promoter, his objective is only to bring music to the people and find the best possible place for that to happen. Parks like City Park offer the perfect environment for such an event and other cities have adopted similar policies to allow such special events to happen, he said.<BR/> <BR/>“We're a very progressive city, but that’s the one thing we’re behind the times with,” he said. “I don’t think it’s unfair. We want to have a simple policy and there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s all.” <BR/><BR/>Morris said he is hopeful that future proposals to host major events in the city's parks will be met with less resistance.<BR/><BR/>“It was not an easy process to go through, but I'm very optimistic,” he said. “We have a very cool mayor and a wonderful bunch of people that help run this city. I think many of them have seen the big picture.”<BR/><BR/><BR/>www.thedenverdailynews.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05330213637108775516noreply@blogger.com