Elkhart parks board OKs multiple event permits; Wendy's Frosty 5K cleared with conditions

The Elkhart City Parks and Recreation Board approved multiple event permits during its July 15 meeting, including the Studebaker Park movie night and a Frosty 5K proposed by the Delight Restaurant Group (Wendy's franchisees), with conditions.

Jamie Tate, a restaurant operations director representing local Wendy's franchisees, told the board her group plans a Frosty 5K at Studebaker Park on Aug. 17 to benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The board approved the permit contingent on two items: proof of liability insurance and an agreement with the Delight Restaurant Group to reconsider the event name to avoid confusion with an existing city event called the Frosty 5K.

The board approved a permit for a free community movie at Studebaker Park on July 25 (the organizer said the film will be The Goofy Movie), and a Sarah Strong Run 5K and kids fun run were also listed on the permit agenda and approved. Approvals were recorded by voice vote; the transcript indicates assent but does not list individual vote names.

Separately, Jill Martinson of the Elkhart Public Library asked the board to waive the McNaughton splash-pad fee on one night for the library's summer reading prize party, which expects about 1,000 attendees. Staff said the fee-waiver process requires board approval; the board directed staff to prepare a memo and have Bill sign it on the board's behalf so the waiver can be ratified at the next financials meeting. That step was described as an administrative follow-up rather than an immediate vote at the meeting.

Board members also asked organizers to limit signage and said the movie and community events should remain free where advertised.