Council approves free pavilion use for Campers United at Scott Family Park for four 2026 events

Council voted to approve Campers United’s request to use the small pavilion at Scott Family Park at no charge for four 2026 events: a Father's Day craft (June 20), bingo on July 4, bingo on Aug. 8, and a kids craft on Oct. 3. The motion passed in council with five yes votes, one no, one abstention and one absent.

Erica Waterman, who identified herself as representing Campers United, described the volunteer-run program’s activities and typical attendance: about 20–30 children for craft events and around 30 for bingo nights. She said volunteers fund supplies through modest bingo proceeds and that events are intended primarily to serve campers and their families; the group typically provides its own supplies, cleans up after events and seeks to minimize water and electricity use.

Council members questioned how the parks committee will handle future facility use and whether a minimal charge should be adopted to cover cleaning, utilities and administrative costs. Several aldermen argued that dates already approved should be "grandfathered" if the council later adopts a fee schedule; others requested that the parks committee finalize clear guidelines for donated use versus rentals. Council directed staff and the parks committee to continue work on rules for facility donations, with the approved Campers United dates exempted from any future fee adopted in the near term.