Replies to This Discussion

StudentPermalink Reply by Jessica Torus* Wagstrom on February 15, 2010 at 8:45pm

I am interested to know about this, too. I'm not sure I'd manage a meetup of 38 people, but I would love to start a hoop meetup in my area (one that's not 30 minutes or more away, ha!) and I know the perfect place, but I wonder about the permit thing...I should probably just get off my ass and look into it, but I'm curious what others have to say as well!

Permalink Reply by Rachel aka "Princess Hula" on February 18, 2010 at 6:30pm

Hi Amy,

Thanks so much for starting this discussion. You bring up a very interesting point, in fact, one that I have never even thought about before. It is very interesting that the public spaces in your area require a permit for group meetings. Are they all this way, or just a select few?

In Boston there are no regulations for who can use public space, at least not informally. I know there are certain events that go on at the Boston Common that would require permits, but those are much more large scale than our meetings. What would the park do if you all just showed up at the same time, say, by "coincidence"? I'm just not sure how someone can control use of an open space like that.

I do hope you find someone here who might be able to help you with this question - good luck!

StudentPermalink Reply by Jessica Torus* Wagstrom on February 18, 2010 at 10:44pm

I think there is some merit to the "just show up" idea. If you get stopped by police, you can say you didn't know the rules and ask for more details. (This is probably what I'm going to end up doing, ha!)

StudentPermalink Reply by Swivel Lass on February 25, 2010 at 9:18am

Here in California I've head rumors of needing these kinds of things if you are using public space to teach and make money...kind of like you are "renting" the space for your profit. But I can't think that a club getting together at a park would require a permit. Unfortunately, if that is your city's policy, as ridiculous and stupid as it is, I think you are stuck. Maybe it has to do with how many will attend (vs. a handful of friends having a good time, you know?)...another way for the city to make money and keep up the parks for us to use. It's ugly, but it has to happen. I hope you can figure it all out. :)

StudentPermalink Reply by Amy Irish on February 25, 2010 at 11:38am

Thanks everyone for your replies. Luckily it's not very expensive for permits ($25 for the season), but you have to fill out forms and even go in front of some people to get permission. For the winter, I found a private gym that is letting me rent the space for a good rate, so I'm just charging everyone $3 to cover the rental cost. I'm hoping they will let me hold the meetups once a month. It's so crazy that people have to go through so much trouble to use a public space!

Permalink Reply by Stellar Sunshine* on August 3, 2010 at 9:53pm

I started a hoop class at my local park and have not run into this problem! I certainly hope I don't. I love providing my hoop class at a very affordable cost, and I would hate to have to raise the price to cover something silly like a permit