Council becomes first in the UK to charge runners who use public park

From the Independent.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...-a6981736.html

In a statement ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, Stoke Gifford Parish Council said that Parkrun had caused “increased wear” on the park over the past three years and that organisers had refused to contribute towards maintenance.

The council said hundreds of runners from the surrounding area “monopolised” park paths and car parks and used toilets and facilities funded by local people.

A spokesperson said car park resurfacing recently cost £55,000 and path repairs are due to cost £60,000.

“Parkrun maintain it is their ethos to remain ‘free of charge’ and have repeatedly stated they will not pay towards the upkeep even when the council offered to complete a grant application on their behalf and all that was required was their signature,” the chair of the council said.

“The Parish Council cannot and will not stop people from using the parks for exercise and running but when it comes to an organisation with paid directors, fund raisers and sponsors it would be unfair to expect the resident’s to pay."

Originally Posted by Kursk

Are we all free to set up private companies and to use publicly funded infrastructure for buckshee?

This is a private enterprise with paid employees benefiting financially from taxpayer funded facilities.

Got a link for that? Because as far as I can see it is run entirely by volunteers and gets any finances via sponsorship..

[Osem]

I seem to recall this coming up before in connection with exercise/keep fit classes being taken in public parks. IIRC a Dragon's Den participant also wanted to start up a business involving something similar and this issue was pointed out. As has been said, I think there is a difference between private individuals using public parks for recreation etc. and others doing so in an organised way or as part of a business and insurance may well be a key factor however that'd depend on any legal advice received and whether any notice is taken of it.

[Derek]

I think it depends on the ethos behind it. Parkrun does have some central full time employees but is run as a non profit organisation and the bulk of its work is undertaken at a local level by unpaid volunteers and no one gets rich out of setting one up.

[007stuart]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Got a link for that? Because as far as I can see it is run entirely by volunteers and gets any finances via sponsorship..

It is not run entirely volunteers according to their website & as it is a known "brand" it has a value (presently unknown).

Whilst it may currently rely upon sponsorship, my guess is that it will become incorporated in the future and no doubt there will be a subsequent share issue which the creators of the idea will no doubt hold the lion's share and thus could end up being very rich when the company is sold on.

An example of this scenario is the fitness app "Endomondo" which was created by fitness enthusiasts. "In February 2015, Endomondo was acquired by athletic apparel maker, Under Armour, for $85 million. Endomondo, at that time, had over 20 million users".(from Wikipedia)

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by 007stuart

It is not run entirely volunteers according to their website & as it is a known "brand" it has a value (presently unknown).

Whilst it may currently rely upon sponsorship, my guess is that it will become incorporated in the future and no doubt there will be a subsequent share issue which the creators of the idea will no doubt hold the lion's share and thus could end up being very rich when the company is sold on.

An example of this scenario is the fitness app "Endomondo" which was created by fitness enthusiasts. "In February 2015, Endomondo was acquired by athletic apparel maker, Under Armour, for $85 million. Endomondo, at that time, had over 20 million users".(from Wikipedia)

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Got a link for that? Because as far as I can see it is run entirely by volunteers and gets any finances via sponsorship..

Confucius say "When seeing, look beyond end of nose"

[Osem]

How long before those behind it privatise it, make millions from the brand and retire to Panama?

Originally Posted by Osem

How long before those behind it privatise it, make millions from the brand and retire to Panama?

The lawyers are in Panama, the bank accounts are in the Caymans, BVI, Jersey, Guernsey, etc...

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Osem

How long before those behind it privatise it, make millions from the brand and retire to Panama?

one retires to British politics once the gravy boat is full

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Hugh

The lawyers are in Panama, the bank accounts are in the Caymans, BVI, Jersey, Guernsey, etc...

Panama's still a nice place to retire if you have money I hear...

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Derek

As a major fan of parkrun anything that can get 90,000 people running or walking 5k each week should be applauded and helped as much as possible, not seen as a form of cash cow.

While I agree that what they do is good, looking at it from the council's point of view, they have potentially hundreds of people in the people, all causing damage and there is a good chance that a lot of people will not be paying anything to the council.

Take, for instance, my local park at work. A lot of people from my company go for a run either at lunch, before work or after work. Very few actually live in the area, so they don't directly contribute anything to the running of the park.

Originally Posted by Kursk

Confucius say "When seeing, look beyond end of nose"

I did Google it and found BA about anyone getting paid a wage..So wind your neck in...

---------- Post added at 21:33 ---------- Previous post was at 21:30 ----------

Originally Posted by 007stuart

It is not run entirely volunteers according to their website & as it is a known "brand" it has a value (presently unknown).

Whilst it may currently rely upon sponsorship, my guess is that it will become incorporated in the future and no doubt there will be a subsequent share issue which the creators of the idea will no doubt hold the lion's share and thus could end up being very rich when the company is sold on.

An example of this scenario is the fitness app "Endomondo" which was created by fitness enthusiasts. "In February 2015, Endomondo was acquired by athletic apparel maker, Under Armour, for $85 million. Endomondo, at that time, had over 20 million users".(from Wikipedia)

Well I looked at the website and it states quite clearly that events are run by volunteers.

So is it possible for a link to show it has paid employees?

There's an article in the Telegraph in 2012 that mentions they are mostly volunteers, but have 7 paid members of staff.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...y-success.html

parkrun is built around its volunteers as there are only seven full-time paid members of staff.

[Gary L]

It's been cancelled due to fears that too many protestors against the council taking the pee turning up on the day.

Originally Posted by Hugh

There's an article in the Telegraph in 2012 that mentions they are mostly volunteers, but have 7 paid members of staff.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...y-success.html

Thank you.You has skills...