HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 - NB-1 - Proposal by American Civil War Society - 3/15/2011CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: MARCH 15, 2011 ITEM NUMBER:
SUBJECT: PROPOSAL BY THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOCIETY TO USE A PORTION OF
FAIRVIEW PARK FOR A CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT AND REQUEST TO WAIVE THE
SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FEE AND PARK USE FEES
DATE: MARCH 3, 2011
FROM: PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT
PRESENTATION PETER NAGHAVI, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES
BY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
RECOMMENDATION
ERNESTO MUNOZ, CITY ENGINEER, (714) 754-5335
Approve the proposal by the American Civil War Society (ACWS) to use a portion of
Fairview Park for a Civil War reenactment on April 15-17, 2011, and request to waive the
Special Event Permit Fee and Park Use Fees of $1,625 for the three day event.
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
volunteers 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.
Visitors to the reenactment 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 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.
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
The ACWS proposes to utilize the landscaped area east of the main parking lot at Fairview Park
(Attachment 2) and the Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) parking lot on April 16-17 for a
Civil War reenactment. Set-up will begin on Friday, April 15`" and tear down of the camps would
occur on Sunday evening April 17th. The event would involve 150-200 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 west of the turf area near the dirt mounds.
The battles include infantry, cavalry, and black powder artillery being fired. Above ground cooking
fires will be set-up in the camps.
The event and parking will be free to the public. Parking for the re -enactors and vendors will be at
the OCME parking lot on the east side of the park. The public will park at Estancia High School,
the main Fairview Park parking lot and the OCME parking area.
During the day, visitors to the event 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 reenactments. Service clubs will be invited to set-up booths and sell food
to raise funds for their organizations. On Saturday night a period correct dinner and dance with
non -amplified music will be held for reenactors and invited guests. ACWS expects
approximately 2-3,000 attendees over the two day period. The program also involves an
educational component on Friday, April 15th organized by ACWS and Newport Mesa School
District. Eighth grade students will be given an assignment for extra credit that requires them to
visit the camps and complete a historical questionnaire.
ACWS is responsible for all public relations and advertising, providing security and parking
control, 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 Council may approve the request and waive the Special Event Permit Fee and Park Use Fees
of $1,625 with conditions or deny the use of Fairview Park for a Civil War reenactment.
FISCAL REVIEW
ACWS will be funding the event through sponsorships and donations. ACWS will be required to
submit a $1,500 deposit to the City to cover the cost of one Maintenance Worker during the event
and for any damages to the park from their use during the event.
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 to
American Civil War Society (ACWS) for a Civil War reenactment on April 15-17, 2011, and waive the
Special Event Permit Fee and Park Use Fees so that it is feasible to present the reenactment free to
the community.
Peter Naghavi, Director
Department of Public Services
Attachments: 1-
2-
ACWS Overview
Ernesto Munoz
City Engineer
Fairview Park Aerial with Event Layout
Cc: Chief Executive Officer
Police Department
Administrative Services Director
Deputy Fire Chief
Maintenance Services Manager
Recreation Manager
Parks Project Manager
Contract Administrator
Management Analyst
E
American Civil War Society ATTACHMENT 1
The American Civil War Society (ACWS) is dedicated to the historical period known as "The War Between the Slates". 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 stales 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 1661 - 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.
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