Changing the Rules

Members of the Columbia City Council are expected tonight to adopt two ordinances which will enable City staff to make a number of changes in parks & recreation procedures recommended by the Play Commission:

• Expand rental of park facilities to include Metter Memorial Park;
• Revise the park pavilion application to add new facilities and expand periods of use;
• Create an application for athletic areas;
• Create a new special event permits; and
• Revise posted park rules.

One of the proposed changes will allow rental of park pavilions for two periods each day--from opening until 2:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. until closing.  Play Commission members argue that this change will provide more turnover at pavilions and, hence, allow more use of the facilities.  Local residents may still use the pavilions, free of charge, if no one has reserved them during any given rental period.  A placard system will be used to help manage reservations over the weekends.