If you head out to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on any given morning, you’re likely to see an amazing array of fit people (and those aspiring to be fit) engaging in some rigorous workout routines.
It’s always been quite the scene.
So we wouldn’t be terribly surprised if there were a little blowback over to let a private group have sole access to the venue for an hour at a time over a series of 13 weekend days.
However, we think it’s a perfectly legitimate use of the facility and here’s why:
is a Denver-owned, 650-acre park. The city frequently rents out the venue for a variety of events such as weddings, graduations and .
This fitness use isn’t a heck of a lot different. And the rest of the park still will be open to the public, including trails and stairs (which athletes like to use for exercises) outside the venue that lead to the amphitheater, said Brian Kitts, director of marketing and communications for Arts & Venues Denver.
What is happening at the amphitheater is a special event at a specified time. HealthOne, the entity putting on the has a $140,000 sponsorship agreement with the city in which it gets signage and other promotional opportunities at city-owned venues.
As part of its sponsorship deal, the city is allowing the group to have the venue to itself for an hour at a time for use by 350 participants who are trying to get fit. Those participants will pay $150 each for the sessions, and they’ll be assisted by trainers and medical experts.
After the sessions, the general public will be allowed into the amphitheater to engage in fitness regimens.
In our minds, it’s not that much different from other ticketed events in city parks, such as movies, . Scale and access are key considerations in determining whether private uses of public places are appropriate.
If paid events overwhelmed other uses of the park, blocking access to ordinary folks for long stretches of time, that would be a problem.
This use doesn’t go that far, and we think it is within the bounds of reason for a picturesque location that beckons those seeking a tough workout.
