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Council approves Riverside Park permit and fee waiver for regional tree-climbing competition
Summary
Grants Pass council unanimously approved a commercial-activity permit and waived $521 in reservation fees for the Southern Oregon Regional Tree Climbing Competition, citing public safety, community benefit and in-kind tree work by certified arborists.
The Grants Pass City Council on March 18 voted to allow a commercial tree-climbing competition at Riverside Park and to waive the associated park reservation fees.
Brad, a city staff presenter, told the council the Pacific Northwest chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture seeks to hold the Southern Oregon Regional Tree Climbing Competition April 10–12. He said the group expects about 70 participants, plans food trucks (no alcohol) and requested permission under municipal code section 6.46. Brad said the fee waiver being sought would total roughly $521 and that certified arborists participating would perform safety work—removing deadwood and other in-kind tree maintenance—worth an estimated $5,000 to $10,000 to the city.
Councilors raised liability and tree-impact concerns. "My understanding is this would be considered a recreational activity and there's recreational immunity in all of our parks," Brad said, adding that the organizers must provide a certificate of insurance. The applicant, Mike Oxendine, who joined online, told the council the competition uses rope techniques and canopy work "with no adverse impact to the trees" and that the group conducts pre-event pruning and deadwood removal to make trees safe for public viewing.
Councilor Joel moved to approve both the commercial-activity authorization and the fee waiver; the motion received a second and passed unanimously by roll call.
The resolution allows the event to proceed as proposed and directs staff to finalize the permit conditions, including insurance documentation and any staff oversight required before the event. The council noted the event could also provide modest tourism and lodging-tax benefits if some participants or visitors stay overnight.
