Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Zionsville parks board continues decision on proposed for‑profit inflatable event at Mulberry Fields
Summary
The Zionsville Board of Parks and Recreation continued consideration of a for‑profit special event request from Tough Nutters for Mulberry Fields (Field 4) on Oct. 9–17, 2026, pending final insurance certificates and permit terms. Board members asked for clearer contractual guarantees and damage‑coverage language before final approval.
The Zionsville Board of Parks and Recreation on July 8 continued consideration of a for‑profit special event application from Tough Nutters, a traveling operator proposing an inflatable obstacle course on Mulberry Fields, Field 4, Oct. 9–17.
Jared, the parks superintendent, told the board the company proposed a turnkey operation that would recruit local food trucks and pay either 10% of commercial vendor receipts or a $100 nonresident field rental rate for each day — whichever is greater. He said the group presented a site plan and was willing to provide required certificates of insurance and that he had reached out to other park systems; one park system in Humble, Texas reported a positive experience.
Board members raised questions about insurance adequacy, vendor oversight and financial guarantees. One member asked whether the parks would have recourse if an out‑of‑state operator left after causing damage; another urged a minimum daily guarantee or clearer remediation terms. Jared said the permit would require daily sales receipts and that the permit holder would be responsible for payments and documented receipts.
Several members asked to see the final permit language and insurance certificates before granting approval. The board voted to continue the item pending final documentation and coverage review, and the chair said staff could either bring a finalized permit at the next meeting or call a special session if the applicant’s timeline required it.
The board did not approve the event at the July 8 meeting; the item was continued so staff could collect the applicant’s insurance certificate, a finalized permit with the board’s terms and any additional contract language specifying responsibility for field damage and minimum guarantees.
Next steps: Staff will obtain the applicant’s insurance certificates, draft permit terms reflecting the board’s conditions (including sales‑receipt verification and damage remediation language) and return the item to the board for final action or handle it via written consent or a special meeting if necessary.
