Throwing a picnic or graduation party in a Bridgeville park used to be a great deal for people who don’t live in the borough.
Out-of-towners could secure a picnic pavilion for just a few dollars more than the fee that Bridgeville residents pay.
As a result, more and more non-residents were renting Bridgeville’s parks for picnics, graduation parties, and other events. Park rentals nearly sold out each summer, with just a few random dates available for people who failed to reserve a date early.
Council addressed this issue last week by raising the non-resident rental fee from $83 per pavilion to $130. The fee for Bridgeville residents remains $65. The full rate sheet is here.
“People were coming from other communities where our rates were cheaper than what they were paying in their own communities,” said councilman Joseph Colosimo. “So we evened it up, but kept it the same for our own residents.”
This year’s higher fees for non-residents could could help Bridgeville raise a little extra revenue, or it could convince those people to rent space elsewhere.
Alcohol is still prohibited in Bridgeville’s parks, according to the borough website, and Bridgeville requires that any live entertainment at parks be pre-approved by the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Park rentals in Collier or South Fayette include the option of an alcohol permit, and there appears to be no government oversight of your taste in bands or DJs.
A South Fayette resident planning a retirement party will now have to consider whether to pay:
a). $130 for a pavilion at Chartiers Park, where you can’t legally drink and the polka band must pass muster with a government committee.
b). $135 to rent a 60-person pavilion at Fairview Park, where you can bring those kegs of Old Milwaukee and let that Frank Yankovic tribute group do their thing.
Of course, park availability is a crucial issue, and less outsiders in Bridgeville’s parks could mean more open dates for Bridgeville residents.
During a meeting last spring, Bridgeville Borough Council discussed the alcohol ban and the problems that police were having enforcing it.
This year’s park reservations begin on March 1 for Bridgeville residents and March 15 for nonresidents. The borough website does not indicate exactly how to go about securing a rental, so your best bet is to just call the administrative office at 412-221-6012.