Pittsfield Parks Commission Questions Fee-Based Recreation Programs
 The Parks Commission is concerned about programs that charge for participation using public parks. |
The commission scrutinized provisions in several park-use applications that required fees for professional instruction in yoga, soccer and skating, ultimately voting to allow it in the case of the latter two.
The commissioners questioned a $20 fee for outdoor yoga classes slated to be held by Radiance Yoga at Springside Park, compared to a suggested donation of $10 for previously approved yoga classes by another provider there and at Burbank Park.
"In the past, we haven't been terribly in favor of that," said Chairman John Herman. "The parks are public and free to use and we'd like to see it continue that way. The other problem is that if we have people start coming in and charging for things we set a precedent."
Radiance representatives said they preferred to charge a mandatory fee, since they must pay for the instructor's time, but were willing to concede to the condition that it be a suggested donation. One-hour classes will be held on Thursday evenings at 5:30 and Friday mornings at 7:30 on the rise overlooking the gardens of the Hebert Arboretum at Springside.
An exception was made in the case of a $10 fee for soccer lessons by the Sports Domain Academy, which will offer a program at Fred Garner Park from July 4-Aug. 24, weekdays from 9 to noon and 4 to 8. In this case, the commission granted permission partly in consideration of the fact that the academy donates a significant amount of professional time and services to the city as a partner in the Just for Kicks program, to be held this year at Clapp Park July 8-12.
"These guys are great. They're phenomenal," added Recreation Coordinator Rebecca Tefft of the academy's contribution to the free program.
Program coordinator Richard Powell said the academy has a scholarship processs so that no youth would be turned away.
A similar combination of in-kind return and willingness to accommodate youth unable to pay also prompted the commission to allow a $149 cost for the Garden Summer Camp, a program returning for its second year at the Pittsfield Skate Plaza on Friday mornings from 10 to 1 from July 1 to Aug 1.
Skate-shop proprietor William Whittaker, defended the fee as a necessary cost in order to pay instructors to take on several small groups at various age and skill levels.
He said no other appropriate facility in the area exists for such training, and that the instruction given includes the kind of safety information and etiquette essential to avoiding problems at the recently established but heavily trafficked East Street skate park. The Garden is also willing to work with families to figure out a workable payment arrangement.
The commissioners concurred that the guidance being offered by the Garden instruction has a beneficial impact for the park, but asked if Whittaker could offer a couple of scholarship slots to ensure no one was turned away, which the skate shop owner agreed to do.
"We would love to do something like that," said Whittaker, whose store has offered raffles, contests, and helmet discounts to support the youth community of users at the plaza since its opening in late 2011.
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