Rogers parks event rules get update

ROGERS -- Residents who host events at city parks might find the terms of agreement slightly changed.

The Parks and Recreation Commission agreed during a meeting Wednesday to updates in the Rogers Parks Event Use Guide to reflect current policies.

Guests who host events must reserve pavilions. A list of directors or on-site organizers of the event also should be included when applying.

Curfews and cutoff times will be included in the guide to make it easier for users to know when their party must end. Commission members noted it would be helpful since parks are near residential areas.

Lights in city parks generally shut off around 9 p.m., said Andrea Brinton, assistant director for Rogers Parks and Recreation Department.

A request for a Nov. 13 trail and road duathlon, a running and cycling event, is being considered. The event would limit trail use and block city roads for about six hours.

Commissioners are taking care with the request because they speculate similar events could happen and should have the same rules and amenities.

This particular event happened in Rogers last year and they had about 200 people attend, Brinton said.

Participants in the 2016 event would use off-road trails for running and would have an option of biking either a road route by way of Walnut Street and Pleasant Ridge or taking their bikes on the trails.

Though city trails can't be entirely closed for an event, large races limit the public's access and road closings would require police-monitored corners. Such requests don't require approval from the Council, Parks staff members said.

There will be a trail liaison with the events, Brinton said. "Volunteers will be at any crossings and if a multiuse trail crosses a hard surface trail, we'll manage it."

Other changes, such as cost of reserving parks and a threshold for what minimum size event would go before the committee, also were discussed.

NW News on 08/18/2016

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