Parks Commission approves updated marketing materials and tightens permit rules for inflatables and mechanical rides

The Parks Commission approved a set of updates to parks marketing materials and to park-use rules, including a change removing blanket permission for bounce houses, dunk tanks and certain mechanical rides from permit language.

Staff presented an updated printed packet and asked the commission to approve revisions so the updated fees and rules could be published. "So I can take this out here too then. Just I can cross this out because there's no inflatables at all. Nothing," said a staff member during the meeting as commissioners confirmed the intended policy change.

Commissioners instructed staff to remove the clause that allowed mechanical rides, dunk tanks and similar items "unless indicated on park permit" and to insert clear prohibition language under the rules. They also discussed clarifying language for crafts, decorations and items such as paint or glitter, and asked that park pavilion permits and signage match the published rules. Staff said the pavilion permit already lists prohibited items such as silly string, confetti, paint and glitter and pledged to harmonize the printed materials and the on-site signs.

The commission voted to accept the marketing and publication revisions so staff can update the printed guides and online materials; staff also agreed to post a small map image and schedule information on the Parks Commission web page and to distribute printed copies at city locations such as the library and clerk’s office.

Commissioners asked that the commission review park policies annually (suggested month: September) so fee and rule changes can be timed before budget season. The commission also discussed outreach for Arbor Day and the Friends of the Parks community- engagement items on the agenda.