The Orange City Council is considering whether to let two churches get reserved space at Navy Park that could set a precedent for allowing other groups the same courtesy. One of the churches asked to hold a tent revival in the park for three days at the end of the month.
The council last week discussed the matter but agreed to table the matter for a future vote.
City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre told council members they may like the churches, but in the future, some group that you “disagree with religiously, politically or personally” will want similar permission. “The decision you make will affect decisions down the road,” he told council.
“If we open this can of worms, we have to accept what would come down the road,” said District 4 Councilor Annette Pernell.
Mayor Jimmy Sims said religious groups have rented the downtown Riverfront Pavilion and met the city’s rental policies to hold public events. However, allowing a group to take room at a park “could present a pretty good problem down the road.”
Dr. Oubre said the city does not allow park space to be reserved.
One of the churches is Victory Life Church, 7708 North Highway 87. Senior Pastor Nathan Fleetwood wrote the church wants to have a regular “Sunday in the Park” from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. once a month. The church would have games, foods and snacks for the neighborhood.
During the discussion, city staff and council members said people go to a public space like Lions Den Park to hold birthday parties and picnics. They show up and hold a place for their parties. Churches have held events in Navy Park, but the city didn’t reserve space for them.
Bishop Dr. Gerald M. Gunn, senior pastor of the Back to God Fresh Anointing Ministries, wrote that his church and others want to hold a tent revival from 6 to 9 p.m. on September 28, 29, and 30. The groups would provide portable toilets and clean up afterward. The event would be free to the public and food will be served.
Public Works Director Jim Wolf, who oversees the parks department, said city staff would have to cover up the ‘No Parking’ signs along the park for the revival. Then the workers would have to go back and remove the sign covers.
City Attorney John Cash Smith said a 30-foot by 40-foot tent could present safety problems like a possible collapse or people tripping over spikes.
No vote was taken on a decision and instead the council members agreed to table action.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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