FEE-BASED PUBLIC PARK ACTIVITY POLICIES After hearing feedback from many individuals and organizations, Denver Parks & Recreation developed a revised POFA (Private Outdoor Fee-Based Activities) proposal which they believe will better meet the needs of everyone involved in this permit policy – neighbors, providers, non-profits and professional fitness organizations.

From Denver Parks
It was becoming increasingly clear as we discussed the fees with City Council that DPR would not have the votes to get the fees passed (provided it even moved out of committee).  Knowing we’d likely have to make revisions, we wanted to do that now rather than prolong the process so that we can still have a new policy and fee structure in place for early 2014. The new fee structure we are proposing is still based on cost recovery, but does not get us to the same levels of recovery as our original proposal did.  However, this new fee structure is in line with what we’ve seen implemented in other U.S. cities and is based upon the type of user group and not on the hourly/daily impacts on the park.

We will initially present this revised policy proposal and fee structure this Thursday at the August DPRAB board meeting.  This is just going to be an introduction of the proposed changes to the policy and fees.

After giving everyone a chance to digest the new information, we will have a public hearing at DPRAB on September 12, with the desired outcome being a recommendation from DPRAB to the Manager on both the policy and the fee structure.  (While the public hearing is planned for September 12^th, there is no definitive date by which the policy and fees need to move forward.  If DPRAB feels it is necessary to delay their vote – as they did in May – the vote and hearing may be rescheduled or extended. )

Following a DPRAB vote, we’ll forward the fees to City Council for approval, with implementation to begin in early 2014.  This information will be posted on our website by August 7^th, and we’ll take comments from August 7^th through the scheduled public hearing on September 12^th.  Comments can be directed to Dody Erickson, at Dody.Erickson@denvergov.org, and we will post public feedback on the new proposal periodically so all interested parties can see public feedback.

In general, the changes we are proposing include:

1. Revision to the “per hour/specific park /specific zone location” permit structure, to a “flat fee/ specific park/no specific zone location permit”, with fees based upon Tier I/Tier II and Turf/Trail (previously known as Exclusive/Non-Exclusive).
2. Permits issued for 6 months sessions (May-October) and (Nov- April).
3. Cost recovery is based upon type of user group, not per hour impacts.  Turf group fees are higher than trail users, larger groups more than smaller groups.
4. New category for smaller groups – (5 or less) where previously there was no distinction.  This will provide smaller classes or personal trainers a fee based upon their diminished impacts.
5. Permit will be for a park, not a specific location permit at a specific time, giving providers more flexibility to program classes on an as-needed basis.
6. Reduced fees for the non-profit sector.
7. No change to the number of permits issued per park or parks listed for POFA activities in the original policy.
8. No changes to insurance requirement.  Non-profit providers have the option of purchasing insurance from the City’s TULIP program, or applying under their organization’s insurance. (i.e. Live Well)  (For-profit providers indicated that legitimate businesses already have insurance so this requirement is not a burden.)
9. Permits will be allocated for two seasons, and accepted during a 2 week window, with a lottery conducted where there are more applicants than permits available for a park.  However, providers can come in at any time to get a permit if the park is available.  No one misses a window to obtain a permit if the park is available.  No pro-rating of permit fees for this situation. (This was in the original permit policy but there was confusion with providers that if they missed the application period, they could not obtain a permit for another 6 months.) 10. No change to noise amplification requirements. 11. No change to signage allowed. 12. No change to the maximum number of participants allowed per permit (25).From: Casias, Angela – Parks & Rec – Angela.Casias@denvergov.org & Green, Jeff – DPR Administration Division, Jeff.Green@denvergov.org

– See more at: http://www.denverinc.org/news-2/weekly-news-updates/#sthash.pnJ9mQfA.dpuf