The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05 - NB-1 - Proposal to Use a Portion of Fairview Pa - 4/6/2010CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: APRIL 6, 2010 ITEM NUMBER: SUBJECT: PROPOSAL TO USE A PORTION OF FAIRVIEW PARK FOR A CIVIL WAR RE- ENACTMENT DATE: MARCH 25, 2010 FROM: PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION PETER NAGHAVI, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES BY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ERNESTO MUNOZ, CITY ENGINEER, (714) 754-5335 RECOMMENDATION Approve the proposal by the American Civil War Society and Marching Thru History Exposition to use a portion of Fairview Park for a Civil War re-enactment on May 14th through May 16, 2010. BACKGROUND The American Civil War Society (ACWS) is a Non -Profit 501 (c) (3) Educational Corporation dedicated to the historical period known as "The War Between the States" (Attachment 1). This war has remained the bloodiest conflict in American's history pitting brethren against brethren. ACWS are re -enactors portraying these vulnerable pages in our country's history. The re -enactors have researched and developed period correct uniforms, weapons, civilian attire, and living history encampments to portray some of the conditions back in that period of our country's archives. Marching Thru History Exposition (MTHE) is the largest time -line living history event west of the Mississippi River (Attachment 2). MTHE has nearly one -thousand historical interpretive specialists representing many different aspects of world history from Ancient Rome, to Elizabethan England, to Colonial America and beyond. MTHE is a family-oriented, educational atmosphere, celebrating the history of those who have defended their civilizations throughout history. Visitors are invited to walk through the camps of the participants and learn about the lives of the common man or woman or of the great names in history through interpretive specialists. There are battle re-enactments that demonstrate the technology of the times, and each encampment is an opportunity to walk back into time and relive the rich history that is now only available in two -dimensions — through reading materials or the internet. ACWS and MTHE performed a similar Civil War re-enactment at Fairview Park on May 8-10, 2009 and the event was a great success. (Pictures of the event are available on the City's website.) Staff reported no major areas of concern at the conclusion of the event. ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION The ACWS proposes to utilize the landscaped area east of the main parking lot at Fairview Park (Attachment 3) and the Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) parking lot on May 15th and 16th for a Civil War re-enactment. Set-up will begin on Friday, May 14th and tear down of the camps would occur on Sunday evening May 16th. The event would involve 100 to 150 re -enactors, equipment, and artillery camped out at Fairview Park on Saturday and Sunday. ACWS will set-up two camps on the turf area of the park and perform battle re-enactments between the camps. The battles include infantry and black powder artillery being fired. Above ground cooking fires will be set-up in the camps. The event will be similar to last year's event, and will be free to the public. ACWS is working with staff at Estancia High School to utilize the school's parking for the public. The public will be directed by ACWS volunteers to the reenactment site. OCME parking on the east side of Fairview Park may be used for staging and re -enactors equipment. During the day, visitors will experience living history in the camps which are set up with hospitals, civilian and military tents, trades and crafts. Two times per day the re -enactors will perform the battle re-enactments. The Estancia Football Boosters Club will be selling food to the public to raise funds for their organization. On Saturday night a period correct dinner and dance may be held for invited guests. ACWS expects approximately 2-3,000 attendees over the two day period. ACWS and MTHE are responsible for all public relations and advertising, providing security, porta-potties and trash containers, insurance and applying for a Special Event Permit which contains conditions set forth by the Public Services Department, Fire Department, Police Department, and Administrative Services. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED The City Council may approve the request with conditions or deny the use of Fairview Park for a Civil War re-enactment. FISCAL REVIEW ACWS and MTHE will be funding the event through sponsorships and donations. LEGAL REVIEW There is no legal review required with this item. CONCLUSION It is recommended that the City Council authorize use of the landscaped portion of Fairview Park for a Civil War re-enactment on May 14th through May 16th, 2010 to the American Civil War Society (ACWS) and the Marching Thru history Exposition (MTHE). ERNESTO MUWOZ PETER NAGHAVI, Director City Engineer Department of Public Services Attachments: 1. American Civil War Society Overview 2. Marching Thru History Exposition Overview 3. Fairview Park Master Plan with Event Layout E c: City Manager Assistant City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Fire Chief Police Chief Administrative Services Director Maintenance Services Manager Parks Project Manager Recreation Manager Fairview Park Plan Administrator 3 American Civil War Society ATTACHMENT 1 The American Civil War Society (ACWS) is dedicated to the historical period known as 'The War Between the States". This war has remained the bloodiest conflict in American's history pitting brethren against brethren. The war is probably the most complex and socially controversial ever in our country's history. The very issue of the meaning of the Declaration of Independence was clear and precise in 1776, but when the Southern states exercised their rights as described in that declaration, the United States government said, "The Union must and shall be preserved!" Each person had to declare for themselves what best fit their ideology. There was no foreign powers attacking our country, thus causing a single united front of concern. The issue was clearly State Rights and what was the meaning of our forefathers' Declaration of Independence to hold for future generations if secession was not allowed. ACWS is re -enactors portraying these vulnerable pages in our country's history. We continue to educate the public through as many diversified perspectives as were the issues back in 1861 - 1865. We the re -enactors have researched and developed period correct uniforms, weapons, civilian attire, and living history encampments to portray some of the conditions back in that period of our countries archives. The ACWS is active throughout San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego Counties. Our historical presentations are recognized by several County Regional Park Departments and our Living History Insurance liability exceeds the Counties requirements. In addition to the re-enactments that are done on specified weekends, the Society has provided programs for private organizations, schools, parades, ceremonial presentations, and commemorative celebrations as an educational tool to better share living history with the general public. The ACWS is a Non -Profit 501 ( c) (3) Educational Corporation. Marching Thru History - ATTACHMENT Click here to view our event flyer "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your objective. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson MTHE is open to all groups or individuals who have a desire and ability to educate the American public and to the visitors from around the world, on the history of civilizations both past and present. MTHE is one of the largest time -line living history events west of the Mississippi River. MTHE has over one - thousand historical interpretive specialists representing many different aspects of world history from Ancient Rome, to Elizabethan England, to Colonial America and beyond. Our timeline starts with the beginning of the civilized world and marches its way through history to the current conflicts in the universal War on Terror. MTHE is a family-oriented, educational atmosphere, celebrating the history of those who have defended their civilizations throughout history. Visitors are invited to walk through the camps of the participants and learn about the lives of the common man or woman or of the great names in history through interpretive specialists. There are reenactments that demonstrate the technology of the times, and each encampment is an opportunity to walk back into time and relive the rich history that is now only available in two -dimensions — through reading materials or the internet. MTHE allows for all of your senses to become active while you march with your friends and families through the history of the civilized world. Come out and join us one and all... camping is available through Prado Regional Park for all scout, fraternal, school, or family groups who would wish to experience MTHE as a weekend event. We go to great lengths to provide an environment that is conducive to the education of the American Citizenry and to offer the same citizenry the opportunity to reflect for an afternoon on those brave men and women of the our nation and their sacrifices to keep the United States of America the greatest experiment in the history of the world. Jeff Sharp — Executive Director ATTACHMENT 3 EXISTMG FIC-STROOMS EMSTINO ir WIDE ASP PAVING $ILFMT FIYK-R STAGING AREA, Civil War Reenactment Fairview Park May 15-16