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Parks staff propose fees for new Franklin Park facilities, including Harlinsdale barn pricing
Summary
Parks and Recreation staff presented proposed rental and closure fees for newly established parks and facilities, including rates for the Harlinsdale barn, plaza and park closures; Friends of Franklin Parks lease terms and use rights were clarified. The committee discussed the schedule but did not vote because there was no quorum.
Suzanne Carr, Parks and Recreation superintendent, presented proposed fees for newly established Franklin Park facilities, including rates for Harlinsdale and other park spaces. The committee discussed the proposed fee schedule, questions about Friends of Franklin Parks' role and comparisons to nearby venues, and no formal vote was taken because the meeting lacked a quorum.
Carr said the city reevaluates park fees annually "to ensure financial sustainability, adapt to inflation, support accessibility and equity, and align with the community needs." She reviewed existing fees (in effect since July 2022) for athletic fields, tennis courts and pavilions and then outlined new proposed rates for recently established facilities.
Key proposed fees presented: pavilion rentals (existing rates noted: $100 for small pavilions, $150 for the larger Jim Warren enclosed pavilion, occasional corporate rate $250); Harlinsdale barn and event pricing (weekday barn rate $300 per hour; weekend combined indoor event space and outdoor event lawn $5,500 per day; indoor-only weekend rate $5,000 per day and $2,500 weekday; outdoor event lawn $1,000 per day); penalty for overruns $75 per half hour; plaza rental $500 per day; staff fee $45 per hour; street closure fee $500 per day; overflow parking $100 per hour (minimum 4 hours). Carr also outlined park-closure fees: a $2,000 per day fee cited for event setup, a $5,000 per day fee cited for the full event day in a full-park-closure scenario, and partial-closure fees ($1,000 per day for setup; $2,000 per event day); Carr presented a map showing anticipated application to Harlinsdale and Robinson Lake.
Committee members asked about comparables and Friends of Franklin Parks. The mayor asked how Harlinsdale's rates compare to other venues; Carr responded that comparable municipal and private venues range widely (examples given: Ravenwood Mansion in Brentwood $2,000–$4,500; Wilma Rudolph venue in Clarksville $1,300–$1,600; private barns $3,500–$8,000). The committee asked whether the outdoor equestrian arena is available directly; Carr said the arena is leased to the Friends of Franklin Parks and rental requests for that facility are handled by that organization in coordination with city staff. Carr said Friends of Franklin Parks has up to three no-fee events per year under their lease.
As with other agenda items, the committee did not vote on the proposed fee schedule because there was no quorum; staff will return the proposed rates for formal action at a future meeting.
