Kenosha Parks Commission approves summer event permits, golf-course sponsorship signs

The Kenosha Parks Commission on May 12 approved permits for several summer events in city parks and authorized new and renewed sponsorship signage at Washington Park municipal golf course.

The approvals included a multi-day Rotary Club softball tournament at Lincoln and Sanarelli Sports Complex Park, a Father’s Day car show at Baker Park, the Kenosha Art Market at Union Park, a kite festival at Lincoln Park, a series of monthly art-market dates at Union Park, and a church service event at Neuer Park. Commissioners voted to approve each permit after brief public comment or staff presentation.

The Rotary Club of Kenosha requested use of Lincoln and Sanarelli Sports Complex Park with a proposed setup on July 8, 2025, and takedown on July 15, 2025; the application included requests for extended park hours, food vendors, games, temporary structures, amplified sound and signage, and language in the request referring to sales of alcohol (recorded in the application text as “sell from all and or wine beverages”). Bridal Kader, identified in the record as a past president and current member of the Rotary Club of Kenosha, thanked the commission and said the tournament is a long-running event that is “our home.” The commission approved the Rotary Club request by voice vote.

Commissioners also approved new and renewal sponsorship signage at Washington Park municipal golf course. One commissioner briefly objected on aesthetic grounds, saying, “Aesthetically, I wish we didn't have the need for having this extra income source,” but moved to approve and the motion passed. The approved request included multiple new and renewal signs; the record does not specify the exact number, sign locations, or sign designs.

The Kenosha Plant Street Machine’s annual Father’s Day car show at Baker Park was approved for June 15, 2025, with setup at 7 a.m., food vendors and temporary structures permitted. Alex Costerman, speaking as a representative of the organizer, answered the commission’s questions and noted that a park building previously used during the event is gone and that electricity at the park is no longer available. Commissioners and members of the public who spoke encouraged the event and approved the permit.

The City (presented by Chris Coachman, community relations liaison) requested Lincoln Park for a kite festival and family event on Sept. 27, 2025, with free kites and activities for children and participation from community partners. Coachman described the event as family-focused with free kites and food in prior years; commissioners approved the request.

Lehi Street Gallery’s application for the Kenosha Art Market—requested for several dates (June 15; July 20; Aug. 17; Sept. 21; Oct. 19, 2025)—at Union Park was approved; the organizer was not present and Chris Coachman answered questions on their behalf. One Voice Church Inc. requested Neuer Park for a “Praise in the Park” event on July 27, 2025; Pastor Lawrence Kirby described plans for an outdoor Sunday service with food and baptisms, and the commission approved the request.

All approvals recorded in the transcript passed by voice vote with commissioners saying “aye”; no roll-call tallies or individual yes/no votes were recorded in the minutes excerpt provided.

The meeting included routine procedural steps: a roll call at the start, moving agenda item 6 (the Rotary Club request) to the start of substantive discussion to accommodate a staff schedule, and adjournment following the approvals.

What the commission approved (high level): setup/takedown dates and hours, permission for food vendors and temporary structures, amplified sound, public entertainment, signage, and (in at least one application) language indicating alcohol sales. The transcript did not provide estimated attendance figures, specific sign designs or exact counts of signs, insurance or sanitation conditions, or detailed staff conditions attached to approvals; those details were not specified in the record provided.

The approvals clear the way for a full slate of community events this summer and fall, while at least one commissioner signaled an interest in limiting visual impacts from sponsorship signage at the municipal golf course.