Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Debate: Park Fees for fitness groups?
I can definitely see pros and cons on both sides of the story. And I will admit my bias up front: I participate in Camp Gladiator (LOVE it- btw).
*I don't see how some of these camps will be able to pay the $500 fee when they are just getting started or only have 5-10 people.
*The camp I am in does running, pushups, and that type of thing. It really isn't putting more stress on the parks than they were created for; we run on the trails.
*The coaches have to go out there before us and scoop all the poop in the morning. Hello, isn't that more of a benefit for other park users? 
*I have seen photos of some people pulling tires in the grass. NOT okay, IMO. Maybe there could be rules about what fitness camps could/ couldn't do.
*Austin prides itself on our fitness. I think having these parks available is a major contributor. This fee will reduce the number of fitness groups and possibly prevent future business owners from making the effort. I honestly wouldn't be working out at the park unless I paid someone to tell me what to do. Yes, I am that unmotivated.
*There are very few people at the parks at 6:30 in the morning when we're there- why not maximize use of the park? We aren't impeding any one else from being there.
So please, tell me if you agree or disagree, and why.
Re: Debate: Park Fees for fitness groups?
My Bio (wedding pics added 7/6)
My 101
I agree with all of FCB's points on the matter and don't think these groups should be charged to use the park, with certain restrictions. The parks are there for people to use and enjoy. What if a group of friends wanted to get together there to workout? Would that be misinterpreted as a "fitness group" and fined? Not that I would be fined, because as much as I *want* to, I can't summon enough motivation to actually exercise, but anyway.
Austin also prides itself in being small business friendly and this would obviously go against the reputation that they are trying to build.
"There is a fine line between a princess and a witch...thinking you're one does NOT give you the right to act like the other." my grandmother
I'm leaning toward agreeing with this. They ARE putting wear-and-tear on the city's property, and I feel like they should pay for that, rather than just passing it on to taxpayers. Also, the legal liability to the city is an issue. Just because some sort of accident is not the city's fault does not mean lots of people wouldn't sue anyway. And, as the article mentioned, other vendors that use the parks have to have a permit, so it only seems fair. At any rate, I don't think it's a good arguement that it should be free to help small business owners. I'm a small-business owner in Austin, and I guarantee that I don't get ANYTHING for free. If I decide to set up shop in a park instead of the building I pay to rent, then I should have to pay there, too.
"There is a fine line between a princess and a witch...thinking you're one does NOT give you the right to act like the other." my grandmother
Fee- no. But, I do think that there need to be some general rules in place. But, I say that b/c for the past three weeks, there has been a group working out on the trail where I run and it's a pain in the butt to run around them (and their equipment). I started running through the group, who, I will say again, is taking up the whole trail for about 1/10 of a mile and the instructor gave me the side eye. You know, for running on the running trail.