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Council clears way for Concerts in the Park return to Riverside Park, waives reservation fee but keeps damage deposit
Summary
Council approved a use permit and voted to waive park reservation fees for the Chamber of Commerce’s Concerts in the Park series while retaining the refundable damage deposit; organizers estimate about 2,000 attendees across five nights.
Grants Pass City Council voted unanimously to permit a five-week Concerts in the Park series at Riverside Park and to waive the city’s park reservation fee while retaining the refundable damage deposit.
Park staff described the application from the Chamber of Commerce to return the long-running free concert series to Riverside Park for five Tuesday evenings, June 10 through July 15 (no July 1), with estimated total attendance of about 2,000. Josh Hopkins, park superintendent, told council the event’s fee schedule totaled about $1,402.50 across the five nights and included a refundable deposit the chamber requested be waived. He said organizers plan a stage in the parking-lot area with vendors and food trucks; the series would run 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Terry, representing the Chamber, said the event is intended as a community gift: "This is very much geared toward fam family and kids," and she described vendor and volunteer arrangements that keep costs low. Council members pressed staff and the Chamber about whether food or alcohol vendors would pay separate fees; staff said food vendors are not charged by the city and that alcohol requires a separate administrative fee tied to police review. Jason and Josh confirmed private event insurance and indemnification remain required.
Councilmember Victoria moved to approve the commercial-activity resolution for Riverside Park; the motion carried on a unanimous roll call. Councilmember Joel then moved to grant the waiver of the park reservation fee while keeping the refundable damage deposit in place; that motion passed unanimously.
Council clarified the waiver does not remove the event’s insurance or indemnity requirements and that any repairs attributable to the event would be charged against the retained deposit. Organizers said food vendors pay no city fee but may provide in-kind services to volunteers and band members.
The council also discussed logistical needs such as porta-potties, stage power and vendor layout. The park superintendent said most staffing needs will be covered by existing park staff and event volunteers; staff noted the deposit is normally used to cover repairs such as broken sprinkler heads.
The adopted actions allow the Chamber to proceed with event planning and to apply the waiver as approved by the council.
