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Clark Park is host to a number of large events, such as the Woodland Avenue Reunion, the Clark Park Music and Arts Festival, and the Spruce Hill May Fair.
Back in 2001, a committee was formed to address community concerns regarding parks usage, specifically for permitted events. The Clark Park Quality of Life Task Force (QOL) included representatives from the Recreation Dept, the 18th Police District, Friends of Clark Park, the UCD, several community organizations and a few large event organizers, including the Clark Park Music & Arts Festival and the Woodland Ave Reunion. After a series of meetings, guidelines for park usage were developed and approved by the Recreation Department.
Get Good Advice
First-time event organizer should talk with experienced event organizers well before your event. They will give practical answers and valuable tips.
Call:
the Friends of Clark Park Large Events Committee Chair
Tony West
anthony_west@earthlink.net or (267) 456-5687
or FoCP President
Frank Chance
chancefl@sas.upenn.edu or (215) 573-4203
To Organize Any Large Event,
Please Keep to the Following Guidelines:
Dates
Annual community events including the Spruce Hill May Fair, Clark Park Music & Arts Festival (CPMAF) and the Woodland Avenue Reunion are pre-scheduled on their regular weekend. Other events will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Permits
Permits for use of Clark Park will be issued for events on Saturdays and Sundays, but only one event per weekend will permit amplified sound.
Permits are issued by Barbara McCabe, Parks Coordinator. Contact her at:
Barbara McCabe
Parks Coordinator
1515 Arch St, 15th Fl
Philadelphia PA 19102
Barbara.McCabe@Phila.Gov or (215) 683-3679
Flea Markets
The Department of Recreation has a set of guidelines for people or groups wishing to conduct a Flea Market at their facilities. These guidelines cover such issues as the permits required, requirements for financial reporting, and restrictions on items to be sold.
To obtain copies of these guidelines and to acquire the required permits, contact Barbara McCabe, Parks Coordinator, at:
Barbara McCabe
Parks Coordinator
1515 Arch St, 15th Fl
Philadelphia PA 19102
Barbara.McCabe@Phila.Gov or (215) 683-3679
Amplified Sound
As stated above, only one event per weekend can have amplified sound. There can still be an event on Saturday and on Sunday, but only one can have amplified sound, whether it be music or speech. Also, there can still be music both days, but one of them must be unplugged.
There can be a maximum of 13 amplified-sound events during the six-month period from May through October, preferably spaced no less than two weeks apart.
Amplified sound will be limited to six hours in duration per event. Permit holder will select a six-hour time slot within the window of 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Time slot will be noted on the permit.
Note: The Clark Park Music & Arts Festival is an exception to this, and has been grandfathered. Its events will continue to have amplified sound from 11AM-8PM for the June event and 11AM-7PM for the September event.
Placement of Stages
Amplified sound events scheduled in Park “A” (the north section between Baltimore and Chester Avenues) must direct speakers away from Baltimore Avenue residences and toward Chester Avenue. A site map of preferred stage locations and angles is available at http://www.clarkpark.info/Misc%20PDFs/LargeEventGuideMaps.pdf.
Films
Films will be given special exception since they must be shown after dark. Films will not be scheduled the same night as another event, but could be scheduled the same weekend.
Electric Power
There is an electric power box in the Middle Park near the shed. Only the Friends of Clark Park have keys to it. At least two weeks before your event, contact Tony West or Frank Chance to arrange for someone to unlock the power box on the day of your event.
Tony West
Friends of Clark Park Large Events Committee Chair
anthony_west@earthlink.net or (267) 456-5687
Frank Chance
FoCP President
chancefl@sas.upenn.edu (215) 573-4203
Advertising, Posters, and Flyers
Three kiosks are provided in Clark Park for posters to advertise your event. To avoid damage to the plants, posters or flyers may not be posted on trees. If you are interested in placing a large banner, please contact Tony West or Frank Chance to set up an appointment with maintenance volunteers for discussion of banner possibilities.
Tony West
Friends of Clark Park Large Events Committee Chair
anthony_west@earthlink.net or (267) 456-5687
Frank Chance
FoCP President
chancefl@sas.upenn.edu or (215) 573-4203
Vehicles
Vehicles are not allowed in Clark Park. To prevent damage to the paths, grass, and trees, no vehicle may leave the paved walks or remain parked unattended anywhere in the park. With special permission of the Department of Recreation, one vehicle per large event can drive into the park to unload and reload heavy equipment.
Please contact Tony West or Frank Chance to get a permit.
Tony West
Friends of Clark Park Large Events Committee Chair
anthony_west@earthlink.net or (267) 456-5687
Frank Chance
FoCP President
chancefl@sas.upenn.edu or (215) 573-4203
Note: There is a parking lot at Kingsessing Mall that can be reserved for weekend events, with proper lead time.
Cleanup
Event producers and residents work together cooperatively to comply with these guidelines. Please leave Clark Park cleaner than you found it!
The event organizer’s cleanup crew will patrol the area that was used by attendees. All trash will be bagged and placed in or near trashcans at streetside. Burnt charcoal refuse cannot be dumped on the ground as it is poisonous to plants and other users of the park. Organizer must work to see their attendees do not dump ash, and they must clean up after those who do.
About the Guidelines
The Recreation Department participated fully in the development of these guidelines, and had final approval of them. These guidelines are a tool for better scheduling and presentation of events.
We believe that they represent a reasonable compromise between park users and the neighbors immediately surrounding the park. We want the park to continue to be a venue for events and community gatherings. We also want the neighbors who live near the park to have the peace and relaxation they deserve on summer weekends.
Clark Park has always been a popular park for community events and festivals. These guidelines help us continue these traditions, while protecting the park itself and preserving the equanimity of the community.
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