(A) Policy and purpose of county park facilities. It shall remain the policy of the county that the primary purpose of the county park facilities is that they are to be used and enjoyed by the citizens of Morgan County, and our guests and visitors, by providing unique opportunities for education, fellowship, physical fitness, historical preservation, and many other uses, all in a setting that demonstrates the natural beauty of the county.
(B) Regular daily use by the public free of charge. Except for events with high-volume attendance and for private events or functions, as both such exceptions are further described below, the typical daily use of facilities owned by the county and operated as public parks shall remain available for use to the public free of any user fees or charges.
(C) Fees charged during certain festivals.
(1) Any and all fees collected in accordance with the provisions of this § 35.48 shall be delivered to the Morgan County Treasurer and deposited into the Parks Department Fund.
(2) There are three events conducted annually at Old Town Waverly Park—Old Town Waverly Park Festival; The Haunting in the Park; and Santa in the Park—that attract a large number of attendees and continues to grow every year. In order to sustain these events and continue to expand the offerings and services of the county park facilities, the following nominal fee(s) and related process(es) shall be imposed on some attendees at these three events, as follows:
(a) User fees shall be charged for hay rides at the aforementioned events at the rate of $10 for each adult and $5 for each child.
(b) User fees shall be charged for golf cart rides at the aforementioned events at the rate of $3 per person.
(c) For-profit food vendors shall complete an application, which includes an agreement that they abide by certain space and size limitations, obtain insurance, among other reasonable requirements, and that they shall also pay a non-refundable fee in the sum of $50 at the time they submit their application.
(d) For-profit craft vendors, or any other vendor permitted to engage in the sale of goods at the park during these events, shall complete an application, which includes an agreement that they abide by certain space and size limitations, obtain insurance, among other reasonable requirements, and that they shall also pay a non-refundable fee in the sum of $30 at the time they submit their application.
(3) County parks may also organize and hold community sale event(s), such as a community yard sale or flea market. Any person who desires to participate in said event(s) by having a booth to sell goods shall complete an application provided by the Parks Department and pay a user fee of $20 per booth.
(4) The county and its Parks Department also has a standard practice of offering certain facilities as available for use by the public for private events, such as family reunions, baby showers, and other social functions.
(5) The county park facilities available for such use are:
(a) Wilbur School.
(b) Burkhart Creek Park, Pierce Shelter.
(c) Burkhart Creek Park, Duckworth Wildland Shelter.
(d) Old Town Waverly, Square Gazebo.
(e) Old Town Waverly, Art Wall Gazebo.
(f) Old Town Waverly, Town Square.
(6) The use for private events, as described above, is subject to certain terms and conditions, as follows:
(a) The facilities are rented on a first come, first serve basis.
(b) An individual must complete and submit an application supplied by the Morgan County Parks Department or the Office of the Board of Commissioners.
(c) Applicants must also provide proof of sufficient liability insurance coverage.
(d) At the time of submission of their application, an applicant will submit a rental fee and damage deposit as follows:
1. For Morgan County residents to use a facility for a private event that will not include the consumption of alcoholic beverages, a rental fee in the sum of $50 per day and a damage deposit in the sum of $50 per day.
2. For individuals who are not residents of Morgan County, but who desire to use a facility for a private event that will not include the consumption of alcoholic beverages, a rental fee in the sum of $100 per day and a damage deposit in the sum of $100 per day.
3. For any applicant who desires to rent a facility for a private event that will include the consumption of alcoholic beverages, a rental fee in the sum of $25 per day and a damage deposit in the sum of $400 per day.
(Ord. 2022-10, passed 7-5-2022; Ord. 2023-12, passed 5-1-2023)