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Larry Abel/de-signs, vb. application to conduct Hidden Valley Ranch “Veggie World” promotional events in Father Duffy Square on Friday & Saturday October 9 & 10, 2009 and on Friday & Saturday October 16 &17, 2009
WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and
WHEREAS, Larry Abel/de-signs, vb. has submitted an application on behalf of their client Hidden Valley Ranch to conduct a series of promotional events in Father Duffy Square, on Friday & Saturday October 9 & 10, 2009 and on Friday & Saturday October 16 & 17, 2009, between the hours of 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM; and
WHEREAS, According to the Special Event Permit Applications submitted to the Department of Parks, the proposed promotional events would require set up to begin at two days before, and then for dismantling and clean-up to be completed by one day after, therefore requiring the usage of park space for four days per each event; and
WHEREAS, The concepts of proposed event series known as Hidden Valley Ranch “Veggie World” have been described as the following:
WHEREAS, Guests of “Veggie World” will be queued outside the set-up of tents and invited on a self-directed interactive tour lasting approximately 5 – 8 minutes; and
WHEREAS, It has been predicted that “Veggie World” will receive approximately 7,500 guests each day; and
WHEREAS, For this proposed event series, Father Duffy Square, which is a small park space intended for public respite and recreation, would be thoroughly covered by the assortment of tents, line-up areas, equipment and other temporary infrastructure, for approximately eight days in duration; and
WHEREAS, Although this has been presented as an event geared toward educating mothers and children on a healthy lifestyle and diet, it is quite transparent that the true mission is to sell salad dressing; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five has repeatedly resolved to deny access to its parks for “special events” which require excessive amounts of park space; which are lengthy in duration; and which are blatantly commercial in nature, providing questionable public benefit; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application by Larry Abel/de-signs, vb. to conduct the Hidden Valley Ranch “Veggie World” promotional events in Father Duffy Square on Friday & Saturday October 9 & 10, 2009 and on Friday & Saturday October 16 & 17, 2009.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.