http://ucreview.com/contrary-to-the-rumors-new-regulations-issued-from-parks-rec-do-not-aim-p3445-73.htm
Contrary to the rumors, new regulations issued from Parks & Rec do not aim to privatize public parks Clark Park in University City, which has recently formed an activities committee in response to new rules passed from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Photo: Nicole Contosta UC Review • Wed, Jun 13, 2012 By Nicole Contosta Staff Reporter Rumors, whether juicy or titillating to hear, often skew the facts. They’re either completely untrue, or they’re wildly exaggerated. And there’s one rumor buzzing throughout the city that our publications would like to squash. And that pertains to the new rules implemented by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation concerning permits for picnics and special events. Some seem to think that the new rules result from a conspiracy between certain institutions and community organizations as a way to make public parks private. Some of these rumors have even alleged that certain park associations will use the picnic permit laws to force an individual eating a sandwich or group of individuals playing chess from the park because those people are considered "undesirable." For the record, those rumors are both untrue and wildly exaggerated. After first hearing them, this reporter made a quick call to the city’s Special Events Office for clarification. After asking the representative if a park user would need a permit to either eat a snack or play chess, the representative laughed before issuing a resounding, "No!" The representative then went on to clarify that the ways that a picnic permit could affect those without one. And that would occur if a group of people, who had received a permit to host a picnic in a designated area, asked those not invited to the picnic to leave that designated area within the park. Frank Chance, a former President of Friends of Clark Park (FoCP), echoed that explanation in an over the phone interview. "None of this [the new rules] applies to four people who want to sit in the park, have sandwiches and soda. That’s fine," Chance said. "It only gets complicated when people want to reserve an area to do different things. And we [the FoCP] want to make that fair to everyone." That’s one of the reasons why the FoCP has formed an Activity Location Committee, which met for the first time on June 7th. The committee’s formation came in response to new rules issued after the merger between Fairmount Park and the city’s Rec Department. The Department of Recreation will now designate certain areas of city parks for either picnics, sporting activities and special events, Chance explained. As a result, the FoCP formed the Activity Location Committee as a way to make recommendations to the Department of Parks and Recreation for where those designated areas will be in Clark Park. While the Department of Parks and Recreation will make the final decision, the FoCP, "did not like the idea of Parks and Recreation making a decision without community input. And Parks and Rec does not like that either," Chance explained. "They want community input." Chance, then went on to encourage those engaged in the park’s use to join the Activity Location Committee, which has many future meetings planned before it finalizing any recommendations. Thus far, it’s proved a complicated process. For instance, when it comes to making recommendations for areas designated for picnics, some people suggested the seating section set up in the park’s plaza. However, many opposed that suggestion because it would deny the general public access. When it came to sporting activities, concern was also generated over designated sporting areas. For instance, if the "bowl" was designated as the sport activities area, some expressed concern over where park users would be allowed to play spontaneous "pick-up" soccer games, Chance explained, adding that the recommendations the Activity Location Committee plans to make on sporting activities "are farther down the line." In the interim, the FoCP, "would love to hear the community’s response," Chance said. For more information on the new picnic and special event permits throughout the city to to www.phila.gov/recreation. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
