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Franklin commission debates park reservation rules, pickleball access and reservation software
Summary
Commissioners discussed updating park reservation policies, who may reserve league facilities (the meaning of 'recognized community groups'), the possibility of online booking software (estimated $30K–$50K/year), and equity implications for neighborhood users versus tournaments.
The Franklin City Environmental and Parks Commission took up park reservation and permitting policy on Dec. 8, reviewing an online 'park rental' brochure, a reservation request form posted on the city website, and prior draft policy language on who may reserve league sports facilities.
Staff reported the current park rental brochure (2024) needs updating and that a posted reservation request form exists on the city website. Commissioners raised conflicting past practice around whether pavilion renters could also reserve courts and asked the clerk’s office and staff to clarify. The commission asked staff for a slide that defines 'recognized community groups' — the form’s current eligibility phrase for league reservations — and to present that slide at the next meeting.
Members re‑opened a previously discussed proposal for an online reservation system (candidates included widely used platforms such as RecTrac). The system was not funded in a prior budget cycle; participants estimated annual subscription/implementation costs in the '$30,000–$50,000' range and agreed to ask for budget consideration in January. Commissioners emphasized that courts should remain accessible for local residents and neighborhood groups and cautioned against allowing out‑of‑state for‑profit tournament organizers to use city parks without local partners.
Commissioners also discussed how Franklin’s relationship with the school district and the city's rec programming affects who captures revenue for reservations; some programs run by the school district collect fees that do not come to the city. Staff and commissioners agreed to refine the policy language that governs league reservations, clarify whether special public events (e.g., recurring concert series) should return to the commission for review, and to bring examples and a clear definition of 'recognized community group' to the next meeting.
