Whether it’s a group of mothers lightly jogging with strollers or a yoga class stretching beneath the sun, it’s fairly normal to see organized group activities taking place in a park. In Denver, Colo., however, pursuing these outdoor exercise classes comes at a price.
The city recently devised and proposed a system of fees and permits to regulate fitness businesses that have been hosting group classes in taxpayer-funded public parks. According to Denver’s city council, profitable classes being held in parks violate regulations against commercial use of such places.
“We want people to enjoy our parks and this is kind of balancing the needs and wants of the commercial operators with the way that regular citizens and general park visitors use the park,” Jeff Green, with Denver Parks and Recreation, told the local CBS station.
Under the new system, a 90-minute session for a group of 25 people or fewer could cost somewhere between $4.50 and $32.50, depending on the park, season and time of day.
Class leaders and participants have fired back in opposition to the city’s proposed regulatory system.
According to The New York Times, the individuals who exercise in Denver’s parks have said the government should support physical activity rather than saddling those who promote group exercise with extra costs.
While pointing out other, less-productive activities that occur in the park, trainer and gym-owner Chris Lindley expressed his outrage over the city’s intention to charge businesses using the park to hold fitness classes.
“You can smoke pot, but you can’t exercise,” Lindley told The Times. “This is Colorado.”
Amy Fuller, the owner of various fitness classes for new mothers, said the proposed fees could cost her as much as $1,200 per month, forcing her to relocate some of her business to a nearby suburb where city officials will allow her to conduct classes at no cost.
“They totally priced us out,” Fuller told The Times.
A city council subcommittee will hear public comment on the proposed regulations Tuesday and then decide whether or not to advance the issue to the entire board, the CBS affiliate reported.
The Denver Parks and Recreation department could not be reached for further comment at this time.
