Stage

In order to keep our Parks safe and pleasant for all users, the following Park Rules & Procedures apply to all Parks within the Town:

1. With exception to the Town of Thompson’s Station Community Center, hours of use are Dawn to Dusk, unless approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board through an Event Permit or by the BOMA through a Special Event Permit.
2. All dogs shall be leashed, except within the fenced areas at Nutro Dog Park. Dogs shall always be under the control of their owner/caretaker. All dog waste shall be cleaned up by the owner/caretaker.
3. Adult supervision is required for all minor children. 
4. The following are strictly prohibited: 
   1. The consumption, possession, or usage of alcohol;
   2. Smoking, including vaping; 
   3. The use of personal fireworks and/or sparklers; 
   4. Weapons; 
   5. Glass containers; 
   6. Harvesting firewood and/or cutting/removal of any trees; 
   7. Fires, except for the grills provided in Sarah Benson Park; 
   8. Littering and/or dumping; 
   9. Signs/bills, including political signs;
   10. Hunting; 
   11. Removal of cultural/historic artifacts. This includes a prohibition of metal detecting, unless associated with a Town approved archeological/historic investigation; an approved educational program/class; a state sponsored archeological/historical; or request by law enforcement.; 
   12. Unauthorized motorized vehicles, including drones; 
   13. Camping/Overnight Parking; 
   14. Commercial/For-profit activities, unless approve by the Parks Board in advance; 
   15. External equipment (bouncy house, tents, trailers, port-a-potties, etc.) unless approved as part of an Event or Special Permit. 
5. Any events within Town Parks shall require a Parks Event Permit in accordance with the following:
   1. Event Permits for any event of up to 50 people may be issued by Town Staff, so long as the event meets all other Park Rules and Town Regulations. Town Staff may forward any Event Permit to the Parks Board, based on the specific circumstances of the event request.
   2. Event Permits for an event of 51+ people shall require review and approval by the Parks Board and applicants shall provide a Certificate of Insurance as part of the Permit submission. Applicants shall attend the Parks Board meeting to present their event to the Board and answer any questions that the Board may have. The Parks Board may add conditions or restrictions to any Event Permit, as deemed reasonably necessary by the Board.
   3. Events of 150+ people shall require approval of a Large Scale Event Permit, according to the Town’s Large Scale Impact Event Rules and Procedures.
   4. All events not associated with a Large Scale Impact Event Permit in Town Parks shall have participation/attendance limits, as follows:
      1. Event Permits in Sarah Benson Park shall not exceed 50 people, unless otherwise approved by BOMA through a Special Event Permit.
      2. Event Permits in Preservation Park shall not exceed 300 people, unless otherwise approved by BOMA through a Special Event Permit.
   5. All events utilizing the Town of Thompson’s Station Community Center shall require review and approval by the Parks Board and applicants shall provide a Certificate of Insurance as part of the Permit submission. Applicants shall attend the Parks Board meeting to present their event to the Board and answer any questions that the Board may have. The Parks Board may add conditions or restrictions to any Event Permit, as deemed reasonably necessary by the Board.
   6. Fees (governmental & school groups waived from all Park Event fees):
      1. Events 0-150 people: No fee
      2. Events 150+ people: $300
      3. Community Center use: $250 + $50 per hour after two (2) hours of reservation
         *The Parks Board may waive usage fees for any non-profit group utilizing the TSCC who have agreed to provide 2+ hours of volunteer service to the Town of Thompson’s Station Parks system per TSCC event use.

In addition to the General Rules & Procedures, the following park-specific rules & procedures apply:

Preservation Park Specific Rules:

PP1. Hiking is at the user’s sole risk. Preservation Park, as a nature reserve, may contain an array of wildlife, including: deer, coyotes, snakes, skunks, rabbits, and other wild animals, as well as natural obstacles. 

PP2. Horses are prohibited. 

PP3. Trailers/Horse trailers are prohibited. 

PP4. Access to the Community Garden shall be limited to those who have reserved and paid for a plot. During the growing season, the Community Garden shall be closed to the general public.

Sarah Benson Park Specific Rules:

SBP1. Bikes are only permitted on Alexander Trail (part of Heritage Park, connected to Sarah Benson Park).

SBP2. Pavilion/Stage rentals for groups under thirty-five (35) people shall require staff approval of the rental application. Rentals for groups of over thirty-five (35) or as deemed by Staff people require an Event Permit from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.