For-Profit Groups Will Be Charged to Use Parks

For-profit groups will be charged $10 per day to use village parks under action taken by the Whitefish Bay Village Board Monday night.

The proposal originated last year, when residents near and park users complained about an exercise group blowing whistles and making noise in the park starting at 6 a.m.

Personal fitness trainers hold several group exercise classes, such as exercise "boot camps," in the park, and the Village Board decided last fall to track park usage with a permitting system, said Assistant Village Manager Matt Schuenke.

The proposal brought before the board would have required groups to pay $15 per day, but on a suggestion from Trustee Kevin Buckley, the fee was lowered to $10 per day. Groups of 10 or more people will be required to complete the application, pay the fee and adhere to normal park hours and rules.

Trustee James Roemer said he would have liked a higher fee, and he suggested a requirement that the group carry an insurance policy.

He said he did not think the park usage fee would be enough to drive the groups outside of the village.

“I’ve seen what these boot camp (exercise) groups charge, and $15 is a drop in the bucket for these folks,” he said.

The board voted 5-1 to set the fee at $10 per day, with Trustee Richard Foster casting the sole vote in opposition. Foster said he did not think there should be a fee for groups to use the parks.

“I didn’t think this required a government solution,” Foster said. “I would caution my fellow trustees not to make too many demands on park users.”