[Mpls] Campaigning in the Parks

[anniey at visi.com]

Common Sense and our basic Rights about Freedom of Speech seems to have
prevailed.

MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND RECREATION BOARD
	2117 West River Road North
	(612) 230-6400
FAX 230-6500

	M E M O R A N D U M

TO:		All Commissioners

FROM:	Jon Gurban, Superintendent

DATE:	June 23, 2005

SUBJECT:	Attached news release

This is a copy of a news release that is being sent out.  It has the approval of
legal counsel and the President of the Board.

June 23, 2005



Dear Park Users

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board has had a practice of requiring a permit
for individuals or small groups to engage in the distribution of literature in
our parks.  The primary purpose of this practice was to reinforce the sense of
parks as a place of refuge and relaxation.

The recent event at Pearl Park regarding literature distribution (of a
non-commercial nature) has caused us to review this policy.

Our legal counsel has advised me that case law has evolved since 1991 when the
present regulations were established.  Further, that our current regulations
may be overly restrictive from the sense of requiring permits for individuals
or small groups to distribute non-commercial information.

Therefore, I am advising park staff today that NO PERMITS WILL BE REQUIRED OF
INDIVIDUALS OR SMALL GROUPS (defined as less than 50) WISHING TO DISTRIBUTE
FLYERS, LEAFLETS, PAMPHLETS OR OTHER NON COMMERCIAL LITERATURE.  I will ask the
Park & Recreation Board staff to review the 1991 regulations.  If the
regulations are flawed, I will be pleased to lead the charge to have them
corrected.

I am also asking that any individual or small group who are in the Park
distributing literature to use common sense!  By that I mean please do not
block access or egress to Park Buildings or block or impede traffic on parkways
or paths.  Do not litter or bother parents and guardians who may have children
in wading pools or people playing on athletic fields.

Most importantly, the peaceful enjoyment and solitude of park patrons must be
respected.


Thank You!





Jon R. Gurban, Superintendent