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Parks & Public Spaces
Unlimited Events & Marketing, Inc. application to conduct “100 million smiles” Brush-a-thon, sponsored by Colgate -Palmolive’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures community program , in Greeley Square Park on Tuesday, October 27th, 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, Unlimited Events & Marketing, Inc. has submitted an application seeking permission for a brief public awareness event to be conducted in Greeley Square Park on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 between the hours of 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM; and
WHEREAS, The proposed event, known as “100 Million Smiles” is sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive’s “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures” community program, as a celebration of their seven-year effort to promote oral health education and prevention to underserved children around the world, including 100 million children in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Activities within the event include a public “brush-a-thon” for approximately 175 public school children, dental screenings, and possible guest speakers such as the Mayor, the NYC School’s Chancellor, the US Surgeon General, and an undisclosed celebrity guest, who have been invited to deliver positive dental health messages; and
WHEREAS, Little time would be required for set-up of this event, specifically, two (2) hours from 9:00 PM until 11:00 PM on Monday October 26, with set-up recommencing on Tuesday October 27 at 7:00 AM, and likewise dismantling and clean-up would be expeditiously completed by 3:00 PM; and
WHEREAS, Set-up within the park would include a 16’-0” wide X 12’-0” deep X 2’-0” high stage with a 16’-0” wide X 8’-0” high banner backdrop, two (2) video screens with amplified sound to provide participants with a close-up view of the on stage activities, approximately thirty-seven (37) 6’-0” wide tables at which the “brush-a-thon” participants would stand, additional feather banners would be hung along the fence surrounding the park, and a tent to cover the event area, only in the case of inclement weather; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the applicant has applied for permission to have two (2) dental vans parked adjacent to the park, in which free dental screenings would be offered and conducted for interested and willing participants; and
WHEREAS, The graphics exhibited in the stage banner backdrop, on the feather banners along the fence, and on the dental vans shall be limited to variations of the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures theme, with very subtle reference to Colgate; and
WHEREAS, This event would be free-of-charge, open to the public, and there would be no sale of food or merchandise, nor would there be any product promoted; and
WHEREAS, The 34th Street Partnership has approved this event, and sponsors would pay $45,000.00 to the city’s general fund, and
WHEREAS, The proposed event would be brief in duration, would require little space, would not inhibit access into or through the park, and would continue to allow for the park’s traditional respite and recreation usage; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five consistently favors special events that have minimal to no commercial intent, and we remain supportive of programs within our park spaces that have a non-exclusive, participatory component and those that offer educational and public service benefits, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by Unlimited Events & Marketing, Inc. to conduct the 100 Million Smiles event in Greeley Square Park on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.