Denver Direct: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the proposed “Chive Fest” at City Park


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the proposed “Chive Fest” at City Park

From: Parks and Rec 
[email protected]

Due to the number of questions we’ve received regarding the proposed “Chive Fest” at City Park on August 16th, we’ve developed these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as a response, as many of the individual emails we’ve received share common concerns and ask identical or similar questions about the planned festival.
 In general, it is important to know that if and when an Admission Based Event (ABE) permit for City Park is issued to Chive Fest, the organizers of the event are responsible for the organization and monitoring of the event, based upon predetermined rules, per the ABE policy and Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) rules and regulations for event management.
 Please note that a permit has not yet been issued for this event.  We are in regular communication with the event promoters to work through certain requirements they must meet (outlined in the information below) and information that must be provided before they can be issued a permit.  Assuming all of these requirements and requests for information are satisfied, a permit will be issued.  This is the same process that would be put in place for any large special event/festival permit application.
What do the organizers plan to do to address neighborhood impacts regarding parking, security, noise, trash, restrooms?
The event organizers are planning to address the event plans and answer questions at a public neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, July 30th at 6:00 PM at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in the VIP room.
What is an Admission Based Event?
The Admission Based Event Policy (ABE) was adopted in 2010, after approval from the Denver Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Manager of Parks and Recreation at that time.  An ABE is any kind of event for which a third party has to obtain a DPR permit; and for which an admission will be charged, a paid ticket for entry will be required, or other considerations must be provided in order to enter the permitted space within a Denver park facility.
How many ABEs have been held in the City since the adoption of the policy?
To date, four unique events have been held per the ABE policy.  Examples include a VIP area for the Pro Cycling Tour at Civic Center Park, and an event at Ruby Hill Park to support funding for the future Levitt Pavilion.
 Why is this type of event different from any other event in parks?
In other events like festivals or runs/walks, the event is open to the public with no admission fee required.  This event requires a paid ticket to enter the controlled event site.
 What is the Chive Fest event?
The event organizer, All Phases Event Group, LLC, describes the event as a music festival to be held on August 16, 2014, from 12-10 p.m., in the large meadow area of City Park.  They have estimated attendance at the permit maximum of 7,500 persons and they have also applied for and received a license to sell alcohol on site during the event.  They have applied to permit the park for set-up on August 14 & 15 (7am- 11pm) and breakdown on August 17 (7am- 11pm)
Does the event pay for exclusive use of the park?
The event does not get exclusive use of the park since they have not permitted the entire park.  They will have exclusive use of the area they’ve permitted.  They will pay for each set up day, event day, tear down day and damage deposit for any potential damage to the park.  At present, the current permit fee for this event in excess of $10,000.
What is the City’s responsibility around the event and what is the Chive Fest organizer’s responsibility?
The City is responsible for reviewing the permit application for adherence to polices and rules, issuing the actual permit, and monitoring the event for compliance with the permit as well as all park rules and regulations.  The event organizer is responsible for management of the event in regard to: security, event layout, insurance, parking, noise monitoring, restroom facilities, trash planning and removal, adherence to park rules and regulations regarding alcohol, and any other issues regarding the event.
Has the ABE permit been issued already and how can an event that does not have a permit advertise for ticket sales?
Event organizers have not yet received their event permit from Denver Parks and Recreation.  Event organizers advertise and sell tickets at their risk as there is no guarantee an event will receive a permit. In this case, after submitting the application and event plans to the City, there are outstanding issues that need to be addressed.  If the organizer’s plans around these issues are further developed and sufficient for the size and scale of the event, DPR will issue a permit for the event.
How do event organizers plan to address people coming to City Park to listen to the concert outside the event boundaries, but not purchasing a ticket? 
The City is assuming “but for” this event, there are limited impacts to the park on a summer Saturday and increased attendance at the park will be attributed to the event organizers.  The City is requiring the event organizer’s plan to address and pay for increased trash removal, portable restrooms, parking options, and security due to this anticipated demand.
Noise has been a major concern among neighbors, specifically how the noise levels at the park will be monitored and how it will impact animals at Denver Zoo?
The event organizers will be required to adhere to the Denver Revised Municipal Code (DRMC) regarding noise levels. The current plan is to have a designated DPR staff person take decibel readings at various intervals throughout the day, and post these readings on the City of Denver Parks and Recreation Facebook page to inform neighbors of adherence or violation of required levels.  If levels are exceeded at various locations, the organizers have agreed in writing, to reduce noise levels to allowable levels.  The decibel levels set per DRMC protect the Zoo animals, as well as humans.  In addition, the event organizers have been asked to discuss their plans directly with the zoo in an effort to clear up any concerns and answer questions they may have regarding the planned music festival.
How does this event differ from the music event that was planned in 2008?
Event organizers who planned to conduct a music festival in 2008 voluntarily withdrew their permit application so the event did not take place.    At the time, the ABE policy was not in place to address these types of events in parks.  There are two major differences between Chive Fest and the music festival planned back in 2008.  The first is that the 2008 event was a three day (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) music festival whereas Chive Fest is one day.  The second is that the 2008 event restricted attendance to 53,000 people while the maximum attendance for Chive Fest is 7,500.
Will smoking be allowed in the permitted area?  
Yes, tobacco smoking will be permitted during the event. DPR park rules allow for smoking in public parks.  However, public consumption, display, transfer or sale of marijuana is strictly prohibited.
Will there be public access to City Park during this event?
Yes, the remainder of City Park will be open during the event.  The meadow area and the roadway (north of the meadow area) will be closed during set-up, event date, and take-down of the event.  Minor road closures due to the event will be necessary and detailed by the event organizer at the public meeting.
Regards,
Denver Parks and Recreation
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