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Parks & Public Spaces
Application from Vibram USA and Backbone Media for “Vibram Arctic Grip Consumer Launch Event” a product promotion in Union Square Park on Thursday, November 10, 2016
WHEREAS, Vibram USA and Backbone Media (the "Applicants") have submitted an application to hold "Vibram Arctic Grip Consumer Launch Event," (the "Event") a product promotion for Vibram's new shoe sole in Union Square Park on Thursday, November 10, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, Set-up for the Event will commence at 8:00 a.m. and breakdown and clean-up will be completed by 7:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, The Event will allow park-goers to test Vibram's new Arctic Grip shoe sole on an ice ramp; and
WHEREAS, The Event is expected to attract approximately 75 people; and
WHEREAS, The designated 20'x20' square foot location will contain a 10'x10' tent (dependent on weather), an ice ramp, and footwear display; and
WHEREAS, Merchandise will not be sold at the Event and the Event will contain one 8'x2' promotional sign advertising the product and company; however the final sign was not presented; and
WHEREAS, There will be no trash expected to be generated by the Event; and
WHEREAS, There will be no amplified sound generated by the Event; and
WHEREAS, There will be no more than three people participating in the Event at a time; and
WHEREAS, Participants will be required to sign a waiver before testing the ice ramp, which will be easy to navigate and has had no prior issues with safety; and
WHEREAS, Film and photography may be captured by the company for social media efforts, for which the company will obtain written consent from each participant as part of the ice ramp waiver; and
WHEREAS, Applicants have produced very similar events to the Event in New York and Boston, and neither Community Board Five members nor the Applicants are aware of any complaints from residents or park users or any other negative feedback resulting from such past events; and
WHEREAS, Applicant has agreed to make a donation to the upkeep of the park; and
WHEREAS, Eight people will be staffing the event, including two staffers ushering people in, two staffers distributing Vibram brochures, and four ramp staffers; and
WHEREAS, The Applicants are proposing an event which, while commercial in nature, will have minimal impact on the park; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends denial of the Application from Vibram USA and Backbone Media for "Vibram Arctic Grip Consumer Launch Event" a product promotion in Union Square Park on Thursday, November 10, 2016, unless Applicants submit prior to the Event a suitable and revised disclaimer consistent with the Laws of the State of New York for use of digital photographs and other media of attendees obtained by Applicants during the Event and signage is minimized.