Shelter fee for nonprofits mulled

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Nonprofit organizations may have to start paying fees to rent shelters at parks owned by the city of Delaware.

The Delaware Parks and Recreation Advisory Board plans to review its shelter rental policy on Tuesday. Currently, nonprofit entities do not pay for using shelters. City Parks and Natural Resources Director Ted Miller wanted the board’s input about whether to continue that policy or adopt a new one.

“Twenty-five percent of our rentals were (by) nonprofits,” he said.

In the last quarter alone, 11 of the shelter rentals were made by nonprofit groups, which includes Delaware City Schools. Changes could include nonprofits paying a discounted rate similar to what is charged by other central Ohio communities. The cities of Dublin and Gahanna charge nonprofits to rent shelters.

The shelter rates for Mingo Park’s three-season shelter and the Spray and Play at Veterans Park range from $40 to $120, depending on the day of the week and the length of the rental. The rate ranges from $20 to $100 for the other shelters.

In other business, the board:

• will discuss whether to close the dog park, 840 Mill Run Crossing, seasonally. The city had to close the 5-acre park, located behind the Kohl’s department store on U.S. 36/State Route 37, sporadically because of inclement weather between the end of February and April, according to Miller. He said the turf is sometimes damaged by the spring thaw.

• will consider a recommendation to Delaware City Council for the renaming of Eastside Park on Rheem Street to honor the late Dick Bennett, a former police officer. Bennett, who died in October 2015, was a member of the committee that established the park.

• discuss how to improve awareness of the Dave Staley Adult and Youth Triathlon. The event will take place at Mingo Park on Aug. 13. This year marks the triathlon’s 37th year. It was named after a retired Ohio Wesleyan University professor.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at City Hall, 1 S. Sandusky St.

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By Brandon Klein

[email protected]

Gazette reporter Brandon Klein can be reached by email or on Twitter at @brandoneklein.

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