Donora considers fee changes for park users

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Donora Council will consider setting a fee schedule for the use of all borough parks.

Councilwoman Cindy Brice said she was in Monessen recently and learned the city has a schedule for the use of varying aspects of its parks. It made her think Donora could use something similar, especially at Palmer Park.

For example, some organizations may want to use just the walking trail for a fundraising event, so Brice said there should be a nominal fee just for that.

Late last month, the Mon Valley Citadel of the Salvation Army used the entire park for a Valley-wide event, and Brice pointed out there should be varying price points for use of the entirety of Palmer Park that differs from what it may cost to rent a few pavilions and the stage.

Brice said she spoke to Capt. Sue Thwaite of the Salvation Army, who said nonprofits are used to paying fees for the use of facilities, even if it’s just a nominal fee to cover the cost of cleaning the park in preparation for the event.

Because Palmer Park has the potential of so many separate uses — the walking trail, stage, pavilions, soccer field, etc. — there could be multiple events going on at the same time. Council members talked last week at a workshop meeting about how maintaining a fee schedule for their uses, even if it’s $25, would ensure they’re reserved and everyone is on the same page.

Brice also referred to recent issues that have been brought up on Facebook on Donora community pages regarding people who have gone to the park to have picnics being chased out of pavilions by the police because they didn’t rent the pavilions.

Those who have talked about it on social media have had varying complaints, from saying they’ve had small gatherings of four or five eating sandwiches, to Bible studies, that have been interrupted.

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