Town Park Peace of Mind

[HuckinFappy]

Us long-term, chronic Town Park campers who have malignant Town Park-itis, have seen the ebbs and flows of population, personalities, problems and security.

Last year got a little extreme.  There were more vanishing items, conflicts, problems and disturbing incidents than I've seen in 21 years.  Many (but not all) were related to non Town-park residents accessing the camp ground. I'm not referring to Ilium or high School Campers, but generally the local transient population.

I know there have been several references recently to discussions between "veteran festivarians" and Planet Bluegrass, and I know specifically some of this went on during Jerry's visit to the ranch last month.

Folks who know me, know I'm bringing an ever-growing family, and we have a high level of concern.  So, as a "veteran festivarian" who has been outside those discussions...what are we doing different this year?  anything? 

Thanks
~Jeff

[Hippie]

  Good morning all 

Since I've kinda been "called out" here. I'll mention a few of the things that are floating around between some of us "veteran campers". I am sure Dustin will be able to weigh in on this subject at some point before the madness of  Festival.

We all recognize that we are a very unique family in Town Park. The best thing we can do is to watch out for each other. I hope that we can all respect each other and our own individual boundaries. The most important thing we can do is to communicate with each other. All of the major camps will have a direct line of open communication to Tim the Campground host, who is our direct contact to the Planet and town authorities. Understand that if there is a grave immediate threat to life or property it's important to dial 911 and then get word to the campground host.

We've always been a peaceful self regulating family, allowing for our own little or large individual quirks. I am grateful for the openness with which we accept everyone with open hearts and minds. Most of the issues we have experienced the last few years have occurred during the pre fest time after we take over the campground. Here are a few things we can do to help make things safer in Town Park during the Pre Fest:

Keep track of your own stuff, keep valuables with you or safely tucked out of sight in your closed and zippered tent.

Have someone in your camp be vigilant in keeping watch over your camp and your neighbors, make sure you meet your neighbors. Invite them over to share a meal or cocktail.  Be a "peaceful warrior" maintain vigilance and if you witness something wrong going on, do not confront the perpetuators, observe and report them immediately to the Campground host. They will know how to address the situation

Keep your booze in a cooler and out of sight. Untap or turn off the CO2 on those kegs when camp is unattended and at night.

Encourage all your friends and neighbors to get their wristbands installed as soon as possible after your arrival in camp. If everyone has a wristband we will at least know they belong with us.

Be kind, open, and welcoming to all. Act like a good festivarian to all that you encounter. Cooperate with everyone and do not be afraid or panaroid. We are all in this thing together.





 Listening to: The Lester Chambers blues review

[HuckinFappy]

Thanks Jerry....I only called you out because it had been mentioned to be by more than one person that you had been involved in these discussions...hope you don't mind!

so it sounds like status quo pretty much.  I'm not objecting to that at all, I just needed to know if we were sticking with status quo, "protect yourselves", or if there were any "official" changes (closing to non-wristbanded folk earlier, etc).   Now I can reinforce to Camp Billy that we need to self-police more than ever, to avoid any of last year's problems.

Thanks,
~Jeff

[dayton]

We are all in this thing together.

 

[Bevin]

More than anything, the issue has been and will continue to be the transients and local homeless folks who set up camp in the woods near Town Park and then help themselves to your booze and munchies in the middle of the night, or even during the day.  Sometimes they'll help themsleves to your cell phone while it's plugged in and charging at the bath house. 

In recent years the Town Marshalls, who are probably the friendliest cops you'll ever meet, have been unable or unwilling to effectively address the local transients and contain them or at least get them out of their hobo camps just outside the Town Park campground during the festival week.  But you'll know 'em when you see 'em.  When they walk by, they look right past you to see where you hid your cooler. 

The other part of the problem is the complete breakdown in Town Park security after the festival ends each night.  It should be that during the 4 days of the festival only those with Town Park or Warner Field wristbands can access Town Park and Warner Field campgrounds, but in recent years, the Planet has been unable to provide post-festival gate control and the campground fills up at night with folks who aren't camping there and who have nothing to loose by grabbing your bottle of Patron before heading to their cars or hotel rooms.  Volunteers at the Town Park customs gate told me last year that there's nothing they can do to keep just anyone and everyone from taking a swing through Town Park on their way out. 

I respectfully request the Planet address at least the post-festival gate control issue.  There's not much they can do about hobos on public lands, however, without a strong commitment to campground security from the Town of Telluride. 

I'm putting a hasp and lock on my beer cooler and will probably use my Kryptonite lock to fix it to a large tree all week.  It's a shame that it's come to this. 

[TheBanjomatic]

Along the same lines as what Bevin says, the problem seems to be worst between Sunday night and Monday morning in the past...

[Bevin]

Along the same lines as what Bevin says, the problem seems to be worst between Sunday night and Monday morning in the past...

Right, Adam. It seems things get worse at the end of the week since the thieves seem to know we're all frazzled and seeing double by then. 

[Auntie Hope]

Along the same lines as what Bevin says, the problem seems to be worst between Sunday night and Monday morning in the past...

Adam, wasn't it Monday morning when your phone took a walk without you?

[JAM Strait!]

I'm putting a hasp and lock on my beer cooler and will probably use my Kryptonite lock to fix it to a large tree all week.

That may work to keep out the squatters in the woods...but how are you gonna keep ol' DukTape Man out? 

You might need to set up a diversion or something...an open box of luke warm Hamm's?

 

[DukTapeMan]

I'm putting a hasp and lock on my beer cooler and will probably use my Kryptonite lock to fix it to a large tree all week.

...but how are you gonna keep ol' DukTape Man out? 

You might need to set up a diversion or something...an open box of luke warm Hamm's?

I's eat krypsonmonmite to simmer my's hangovers!
Where's da Hamm's?? <hic!>

[Hippie]

  I'm thinkin more along the terms of intervention, but then, naaah; That wouldn't work 

That may work to keep out the squatters in the woods...but how are you gonna keep ol' DukTape Man out? 

You might need to set up a diversion or something...an open box of luke warm Hamm's?