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Resident urges council to revise 1971 Collin Park Bandshell policy to allow city sponsorship of religious events
Summary
Anne Henriksen told council the current 1971 Collin Park Bandshell policy effectively bars religious groups from using the stage and conflicts with the city's nondiscrimination ordinance; she asked the city to provide a sponsoring department or co-sponsorship process so faith groups can request stage use.
During the public-comment period, Anne Henriksen of Zeeland urged Holland City Council to update a 1971 policy governing use of the Collin Park Bandshell so religious organizations can secure a city sponsor and use the stage rather than being limited to the grass area.
Henriksen said the clerk’s office routinely denies stage requests when there is no city sponsor and does not provide a sponsoring department, leaving applicants with no next step. She asked council to "annul, revoke, amend, revise the up and or update the 1971 Collin Park Bandshell policy" and to provide a clear path for religious groups to request sponsorship.
Henriksen cited Holland’s nondiscrimination ordinance (chapter 25-9) and the Michigan and U.S. constitutions, and asked that council ensure religious organizations are not effectively excluded from park facilities. She noted the mayor previously expressed that religious expression is embraced in the community and asked the council to act to remove the policy barrier.
Mayor Box and council members acknowledged the prior attorney guidance on the ordinance and said the matter had been discussed at past meetings. The council did not take formal action at the Sept. 4 meeting; Henriksen’s request was recorded in public comment and staff and council indicated they would review the issue further.
