Council approves Maple Springs Park cleanup-deposit plan; discusses Cinco de Mayo and town-sponsored events policy

The Mantua Town Council approved a cleanup-deposit arrangement for a May 7 work party at Maple Springs Park and discussed several other park uses, including a May 3 Cinco de Mayo gathering and whether to permit a town-sponsored slip-and-slide event on the hillside.

During the meeting the council confirmed that a cleanup deposit would be required and refundable after the park is left clean. The motion for the May 7 work party included the deposit requirement; the transcript records a second and the chair saying, “All in favor. Yes. Yes. Yes,” indicating the council approved the arrangement.

Council members also discussed a May 3 Cinco de Mayo event. The transcript indicates organizers said Dave Ornelas agreed to pay fees for that event and that the group sought use of the whole park rather than only the pavilion. One council member said they did not think a cleanup deposit was needed for that gathering "as long as it's brought up here and approved." The council did not record a separate formal roll-call vote for the Cinco de Mayo reservation in the provided transcript.

The council debated whether to allow a slip-and-slide on the hill, noting it can damage grass. One speaker described it as “town sponsored once a year,” and other participants said occasional use was acceptable but more frequent events would harm turf and should be decided by the council when proposed. The council discussed a $50 fee for pickleball and clarified that town-sponsored events that draw broad participation must come before the council for approval.

The meeting also touched on logistics such as water hookups and the need to bring proposals to the council when an event is considered a town-sponsored mass gathering.