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Zionsville tightens park rules: board bans commerce in shelters, adds 10% revenue share for park vendors
Summary
After extended debate, the Zionsville parks board amended park rules to prohibit sales or fundraisers in shelter reservations, clarified insurance and vendor requirements, added a 10% revenue-share requirement for special-event vendors on park property, and clarified tents/stages rules.
The Zionsville Board of Parks & Recreation adopted amended park rules that restrict on-site commerce and revise vendor requirements for special events, following a lengthy debate about the role of vendors, nonprofit fundraisers and the town’s fiscal outlook.
Jared, the parks superintendent, read the proposed rule tightening that would prohibit sale, advertising or promotion of goods or services in parks except under the town’s special event permit; the rule requires vendors to maintain a $1,000,000 commercial general liability policy and to provide a certificate of insurance at least seven days before the event. During discussion, board members expressed differing philosophies: some argued parks should not be a venue for commercial transactions, while others warned a broad ban could hurt local nonprofits and small businesses.
The board considered two competing amendments: one to strictly prohibit all commercial transactions in parks (including during special events) and another to add a 10% revenue share for permitted vendors on park property. The board adopted the 10% revenue-share amendment and also amended rules to explicitly include stages and tents and to clarify that 10x10 vendor tents may be allowed following fire marshal guidance. On shelters specifically, the board amended the shelter reservation policy to state that a shelter reservation does not authorize the operation of concessions, sale/display/distribution of goods, beverages, services, or fundraisers of any kind; that policy change passed 6–1.
Board members asked staff to develop clear permit language and enforcement mechanisms, including end-of-day sales reports and possible permit conditions or fines to verify revenue-share compliance. Jared said the department would require end-of-day reports and could pursue permit conditions or fines if revenue-share reporting is not provided.
The board approved the set of rule changes and directed staff to prepare final wording for administrative use.
