The Parks and Recreation Committee met 07/21/2025. The meeting was brief as they just had one action item which was a request to approve ordinance changes to Section 13-1(f) Special Use Areas, Section 13-5(o) Prohibited Items and Uses, and Section 13-8 Possession of Alcoholic Beverages.
All of these changes were unanimously recommended for approval by the committee.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
SPECIAL USE AREAS CHANGES – The changes to this section removed mention of the Gardens of the Fox Valley Memorial Park as the group no longer operates the Scheig Center and Gardens. It also adds Vulcan Heritage Park as a special use area as part of it is leased by Fratello’s Riverfront Restaurant.
PROHIBITED ITEMS AND USES CHANGES – The changes clarified that park tennis courts could not be used for anything other than playing tennis or pickleball. Director of Parks and Recreation Dean Gazza mentioned that there had been some vandalism of pickleball courts and they were not being used for their intended purpose which prompted this change.
Alderperson Martyn Smith (District 4) mentioned that the tennis courts at Erb Park were sometimes used as volleyball courts and asked if that would be prohibited. Director Gazza said that it would, noting that using the courts to play volleyball damages the tennis court nets.
POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CHANGES – These changes reflected the Common Council action restricting alcoholic beverages within 20 feet of pavilions and playgrounds.
Additionally, open containers of permitted alcoholic beverages are only allowed in parks between 10AM and 10PM. This ordinance change would change the start time allowed in Reid Golf Course to 8AM. The reason for this change is because most gold tournaments start at 9AM and people want to buy alcoholic beverages before the round starts. Allowing open containers of alcohol at Reid starting at 8AM will allow setup and start times for tournaments to run more smoothly.
The committee voted unanimously to recommend these changes be approved.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1305801&GUID=C23396C1-F60D-41AA-8AF8-B517C89E45DC
Be the first to reply