Franklin park board approves fee changes; staff outlines community garden, active adult center and Scott Park plans

The Franklin City Park Board on Feb. 20 approved revisions to its 2025 fees and charges after staff reported falling rental demand for some facilities and proposed lower, more granular rates for community garden plots and new rental categories for the city’s forthcoming active adult center.

Park Board Chair called the vote after a staff presentation; the motion passed by voice vote with all members responding “Aye.” The board also approved routine items earlier in the meeting including past meeting minutes, February claims and the human resources report.

Board staff summarized why the fee changes were proposed. Chip (staff member) told the board that room rentals at the recreation center have fallen roughly 50 percent compared with previous years for some users, and that a recent fee increase had “priced people out”: “People that were consistent renters with us … we priced them out,” Chip said, explaining the drop in repeat reservations. He noted pool rentals and whole-facility pool bookings also declined after the new price moved totals into a higher perceived bracket.

To respond, staff recommended rolling back roughly seven adjustments made in November and adopting several new, more detailed fees. For the community garden (the renovated site at South Street and South Main Street), staff proposed separate charges so more people can rent the…