I have felt for some time that Rendezvous has outgrown East City Park...
when a big concert draws 2,000 people or more, it takes too heavy a
toll on the park and the neighborhood. At one point when I was the
Rendezvous board, we discussed Mountainview Park as an alternative, if
some natural ampitheatre could be constructed that would put Moscow
Mountain behind the stage. Another possibility is the old UI arboretum,
scene of Blue Mountain Rock festivals in the '70s. Wouldn't that be
a place to have Hempfest without bothering any near neighbors (except
Elisabeth Zinser)?
Could the conflict resolution process employed by the Fair Board with
neighbors of the fairgrounds be applied in this case? It wouldn't be
too difficult to invite everyone who lives within 4 blocks of the park
to an informal meeting.
How about giving the neighbors who are most upset a gift certificate
to go to dinner the evening of the concert and see a movie, so they
can get out of the house if they don't want to hear the music?
KENTON