The Winamac Park Board will soon consider allowing vendors in the town park.
Last week, Rick DeFries asked the park board for permission for him and his wife to set up their concession trailer in the park this summer. “Things such as, just on a Saturday afternoon, when the canoes are coming in, just to give people an option of a place to get a snow cone, a hot dog, something to drink, whatever,” he explained.
They had previously been given approval by the town council to operate in the town parking lot. Park board members supported the idea of letting them sell concessions in the town park, as well, but wanted more time to put together a policy for potential vendors.
Board member Chris Schramm noted that there’s plenty of room for vendors in the park. “We’re always encouraging more people and more business to come down there,” he said. “I don’t care if there’s 10 vendors down there if there’s an event going on. I think that’s a great idea, and I’m 100-percent for it. Maybe some people will want to come down there just to go to their cart, too. So that’s going to get people in and out of there.”
Park board members requested that Town Attorney Justin Schramm put together an ordinance setting some rules for potential vendors to follow. He said there are a few different options the town could choose, such as simply designating an area where vendors may set up their operations or implementing some type of licensing system. Board member Pat Bawcum wanted to make sure vendors have the proper health department certificates before being allowed to operate in the park.
The Winamac Park Board plans to revisit the issue during an upcoming meeting.
