Residents report rental-car pick-ups at Christine Rathke Memorial Park; commission advises formal complaint

Tina Jasinski, a neighbor of Christine Rathke Memorial Park, told the Franklin City Parks Commission on Aug. 10 that she has repeatedly observed vehicles parked in the park with lock boxes and people arriving with luggage to retrieve cars. “There is a rental car operation being run out of Christine Rathke Memorial Park,” Jasinski said, adding she has photos, time stamps and license-plate numbers.

Another resident, George Charnecki, said the activity “destroys the integrity of the park” and described seeing people with suitcases loading and unloading in the lot. Commissioners and staff said the first practical step is filing a formal complaint so city staff can document and, if appropriate, inspect and seek enforcement. “If you submit a complaint online, that would be kinda the best way to get the ball rolling,” a staff member told speakers during the public-comment period.

Staff noted that the parks code does not allow sales or uses that amount to operating a for-profit business in city parks without permission and said they had not received any written request for such activity. Commissioners discussed options including following up with police and routing the matter through city enforcement channels. Residents said the police advised them to contact the city for an administrative enforcement path. The commission did not take a formal action that night; staff encouraged residents to submit the complaint online so inspectors can document occurrences and determine next steps.