Residents and faith groups press Holland City Council to change Collin Park band shell policy

Dozens of residents, pastors and leaders of faith-based groups urged the Holland City Council on Feb. 19 to change the city’s policy that restricts use of the Collin Park band shell to city-sponsored or co‑sponsored events.

Speakers from local churches and nonprofit faith groups said the band shell’s acoustics and stage protection are essential for musical worship and community events and that the current practice leaves them performing on the grass or being denied use entirely. "We are here to admonish you, counsel, to change the policy to align with your 2020 anti discrimination DEI ordinance law," said Anne Hendrickson, co‑chair of the National April Faith Month Action Organization.

Why it matters: Several speakers framed the issue as one of equal access and First Amendment concerns. Mark Jones, vice president of the Holland chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, told council that the city’s online policy (adopted 02/2004 and amended 02/2014, per speakers) states Collin Park is a "unique forum for public use and expression" but then limits the band shell to city‑sponsored events, he said. Joel Studebaker, a longtime musician, read the First Amendment during his remarks and asked council to consider removing the restriction that forces faith groups to perform off the stage.

What speakers said and asked - Anne Hendrickson (National April Faith Month Action Organization) said churches and ministries have been denied use and asked council to "change the policy to align with your 2020 anti discrimination DEI ordinance law." - Pastor Aaron Garcia (Pastor, Ebenezer Spanish Assemblies) and his wife said their church was directed to perform on the grass rather than in the band shell, and they asked the council to allow Christian concerts and events on the stage. - Joel Studebaker (musician) urged council to consider the First Amendment and asked, "Where do you draw the line?" when the city decides which performers may use the stage. - Mark Jones (Christian Motorcyclists Association) said faith‑based groups have been denied access even when other performing groups regularly use the shell and described the limitation as "unfair and discriminatory in nature." - Doyle Passmore and Walter Slaughter, pastors who spoke, asked the council to allow churches with established reputations to use the band shell for worship and outreach.

Council response and next steps: Council did not vote on the band shell policy during the meeting. Multiple councilmembers acknowledged the public comments and asked staff to pass the concerns on to the appropriate city staff and policy committees. Chelly Zuniga and other speakers asked the council to "assign or create a department in order for us to use the band shell at Collin Park for the purpose of worship and prayer for our community." The mayor closed the public comment period after hearing multiple speakers; no ordinance change or formal direction was adopted during the Feb. 19 meeting.

Context and local details: Speakers cited a city "use of city facilities" policy (noted in public comments as adopted in 02/2004 and amended in 02/2014) that, according to several speakers, limits band shell use to city‑sponsored or co‑sponsored events. Several speakers also referenced the city’s 2020 anti‑discrimination/DEI ordinance when asking for policy alignment. Some speakers said the band shell’s design projects sound into the audience and protects instruments and equipment from the elements, making it functionally different from performing on the grass.

Ending: Council accepted the public comments into the record but took no legislative action on the band shell policy at the meeting. Multiple commenters asked the council to revisit the policy; staff said they would relay concerns to the appropriate departments for follow up.