Committee approves multiple Campagnon Common permits, urges groups to limit noise; one large event tabled for additional paperwork

A Lawrence council subcommittee recommended sending multiple park permit applications to the full council with favorable recommendations — while repeatedly urging applicants to secure Recreation Department approval and to limit noise after a season of complaints.

The committee considered a series of requests to use Campagnon Common (also referred to in discussion as O'Connell Park and Campagnon Common): permits reviewed included a church event titled “Raining in the Valley,” a family gathering, the 41st annual Bread and Roses/Bridal and Roses festival (Labor Day), a cycling event run by the Lawrence Cycling Team, a food‑truck anniversary, and several other community gatherings. Presenters included Melissa Garcia Munoz (event organizer), Michael Jackson (Campagnon Common permit), Elizabeth Pelarito (Bridal and Roses festival), Andrew Melo (Lawrence Cycling Team), Lamine Mansivo (Soil Food Trucks) and Cody Santiago (Minds of Purpose nonprofit).

Councilors repeatedly reminded applicants that a Recreation Department confirmation is required before the permit can proceed to full council. For example, the Bridal and Roses organizer said she believed Recreation had cleared the date; councilors asked for that confirmation in writing and advised bringing a hard copy to the full council meeting. Several motions carried with the condition “pending Recreation availability.”

Noise was a recurring concern. Councilor Del Rosario said last summer’s church events generated “the most complaint of noise in the park” and urged religious groups to be mindful: “we gotta be mindful that all the peoples... that lives around the park and also people that are in the park not in the event.” He and others asked applicants to keep speakers directed toward event attendees and to reduce volume. Multiple presenters acknowledged the city’s request to “leave the park better than how you found it” and described trash, recycling and restroom plans.

Not every request moved forward immediately. Minds of Purpose requested permission for an Aug. 24 charity basketball tournament but the application lacked Recreation Department sign‑off and the committee voted to table that item until the organizer obtains written confirmation from Recreation. The cycling event (July 13) and a food‑truck anniversary (also July 13) received favorable recommendations to go to the full council with the expectation the applicants coordinate final details with Recreation and other departments; presenters said they would return next Tuesday for the full‑council agenda item.

Councilors reminded organizers that permits at Campagnon Common do not automatically give exclusive use of the entire park except where a specific area (for example, a basketball court) is reserved. Several applicants said they intended limited footprint use (tents, tables, stage area) and would avoid damaging grass or placing heavy vehicles on turf. One food‑truck applicant was told to park on pavement if possible and to coordinate staging with Recreation because a bandstand renovation could affect space availability.

The committee’s actions send the individual permit items to the full council for final approval; several motions included explicit conditions that Recreation confirm availability or that applicants provide written documentation before full‑council consideration.