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Parks board approves one‑evening Salvation Army collection at Holiday Lights after legal concerns raised
Summary
The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved allowing the Salvation Army to collect donations on one evening during the Holiday Lights festival after public comments raised an ordinance question; a resident cited Section 86‑1, and board counsel and staff clarified the collection would occur on park property, not a city street.
The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on Sept. 17 approved a request from the Salvation Army to collect donations for one evening during the Holiday Lights festival after public speakers raised legal questions about soliciting on public streets.
Tommy Kolovic, who identified his address as 1316 Ohio Street, told the board he believed the city ordinance prohibited soliciting from streets or alleys and read from the code, citing "Section 86‑1" and reciting the language that "No person at any time shall step into any street or alley… for the purpose of soliciting any donations, money, credit card, property…" He warned that allowing the Salvation Army could prompt many other groups to seek similar permission.
Board members and staff replied that the Washington Park entryway being used for Holiday Lights is park property and not a dedicated city street; staff noted park driveways and interior areas are parkland and that the board can authorize collections on park property. A board member suggested exploring rotating or dedicated weekends so other nonprofits could also be accommodated. Resident Scott Mellon (Kenwood Place) suggested dedicating slots to other groups.
Formal action: the board moved and seconded a motion to allow the Salvation Army to collect donations on one evening of the Holiday Lights festival; the motion carried.
Why it matters: The item raised the intersection of city solicitation ordinances and park control of park property and set a precedent for how the Department will manage third‑party solicitation during large park events. Board members directed staff to limit the authorization to one evening for the Salvation Army and to consider whether other nonprofit groups could be scheduled for other days.
Next steps: Staff will coordinate event logistics with the Salvation Army, confirm the collection location is on park property, and explore whether other nonprofit groups can be scheduled on additional evenings during the festival.
