Government

No public events for Mitchell Park … after these two

Mitchell Park is no longer  available for public events. (File photo)
Mitchell Park is no longer available for public events. (File photo)

No new public events will be allowed at Mitchell Park for the foreseeable future following a Village Board vote to place a moratorium on issuing mass assembly permits for use of the park space. 

The mayor on Monday introduced the resolution, which was not written on the meeting agenda, and the board voted 5-0 in favor of enacting the ban immediately.

Beforehand, however, board members did approve two more mass assembly permits that were on Monday’ night’s agenda. The mayor stated that would be the last time the board would consider any event applications until a comprehensive policy on issuing mass assembly permits for the use of Mitchell Park is developed.

The moratorium comes after two religious groups threatened to take legal action against the village for denying their organizations use of the park for public gatherings.

Events sponsored by the village, such as Dances in the Park and the Maritime Festival, are not affected by the new ban, the mayor said.

A public hearing has been scheduled for July 28 for the public to weigh in on a new policy on issuing mass assembly permits at the park.