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Council adopts rotating schedule for large-group feedings in parks; selects Southwest Park for roster
Summary
To reduce pressure on a few parks, the council amended city code to rotate weekend large‑group‑feeding opportunities among designated parks and chose Southwest Park for the Group B weekend roster after public comment and staff recommendations.
The council adopted an amendment to Chapter 42 that changes availability for large‑group feedings in city parks by rotating weekend opportunities among two groups of parks. The amendment aims to distribute activity more equitably across neighborhoods while maintaining the overall number of weekend opportunities.
Under the approved framework, Group A will include Jimmy Moore Park, Riverview Park and Brothers Park; Group B will include Wells Park, Sherwood Park and Southwest Park (council selected Southwest Park over Eddie Lee Taylor during the meeting). The new schedule designates first/third and second/fourth weekends for alternate groups, with an administrative rule for fifth‑weekend handling. Staff clarified that fees and permit waivers are addressed administratively: organizers may seek permit‑fee waivers on a case‑by‑case basis, while rental charges for pavilions or green space remain.
Several Riverview neighbors asked council to consider the burden of more frequent feedings at Riverview Park and urged distribution; Parks staff and the city attorney said administrative rules can clarify exact locations within parks and appropriate fee/wavier handling. Council adopted the ordinance and directed staff to refine administrative guidance prior to second reading.
Next steps: staff will finalize ordinance language for second reading, develop administrative rules on permitted locations and clarify fee‑waiver procedures, and report back with any operational recommendations.
