Motley’s Two Rivers Music Fest will have access

to Veteran’s Memorial

Park Thursday, July 22 - Sunday, July 25. However,

after they’ve unloaded their gear in the park, vendors, festival leaders and musicians will need to park their vehicles elsewhere.

These were two decisions made by the Motley City Council at their regular meeting June 8.

The city does not, as of yet, have a process in place for reserving its parks. However, the council voted to allow the Two Rivers Music Fest to have full access of Veteran’s Memorial Park July 22 - 25.

Whether or not vehicles can remain in the park has been discussed every year since the festival began in 2007. It was discussed again at the meeting June 8.

Festival organizers feel vendors and musicians need to be able to park in the park. Larry Beckner, with the Two Rivers Music Fest, told the council that some vendors work out of the back of their vehicles. He also argued that many musicians have to carry heavy equipment and they need to park as close to the stage as possible.

Members of the Motley Parks Committee, however, do not feel it is appropriate for vehicles to be in the park.

Ginger Olson, parks committee member, expressed concern at the council meeting that because there has been so much rain this year, vehicles could damage the park’s lawn.

Olson also suggested that the festival be held on a farm or perhaps the fairgrounds, where vehicles are allowed to park.

Council member Duane Solga said that he has not been aware of any problems vehicles have caused in the past three years at the festival. “If something’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Solga said.

In addition to concerns about damages to the park property, the council discussed the need for a permit system in city parks, a set of standard rules and regulations that everyone abides by. Setting up a reservations system was also discussed.

Olson expressed frustration that there have been parks committee meetings scheduled to address these issues, but not enough members attend. Without a quorum, no decisions can be made.

Utilities Supervisor and parks committee board member Wayne Barros said he hopes that an indepth policy will be ready in the near future.

In the meantime, however, council member Nancy Nieken reminded the council that the City of Motley already has a city code which states, “Unless designated by the city council as an area for recreational motor vehicles, the use on city park property shall be unlawful.”

Motley Mayor Konrad Alexander said, “We have an ordinance in place, we’ll have to stick with it.”

After some discussion, the council voted to abide by the city code. Vehicles will be able to unload their merchandise and/or gear, but then must park elsewhere.