A Holland resident criticized the city’s application of its bandshell policy and city sponsorship rules during public comment, citing recent large events at Collin Park including Pride and a Bridal Festival and arguing the events disturbed nearby neighborhoods.

Anne Henriksen told the council that the Bridal Festival “drew a bigger crowd than Juneteenth or the Tuesday American Legion band concerts put together,” and she accused the city of refusing to provide a city sponsor to religious groups seeking to use the Collin Park bandshell. Henriksen read a reply she said she received from City Manager Verbeek: “for practical and free speech purposes, the bandshell is a unique form that does warrant more limited use that restricts your request as religious groups and organizations to use the bandshell or any other promoting their message.”

Nut graf: The remarks raised two issues for council attention — how the city applies sponsorship and sound/use limits at a high‑visibility park facility and the balance between neighborhood livability and large public events. The city manager later said staff offer temporary stage options on the park application and that those options are “equally offered to all groups.”

Henriksen argued that large events had brought parked cars into residential streets, amplified noise and materials she found objectionable at vendor booths. She suggested the city consider other locations such as Howard Dutton Park or the Civic Center for some large festivals and asked the council to “protect our peaceful neighborhoods.”

City Manager Keith Van Beek addressed council during the communications portion of the agenda and told council staff consistently offer the same options to all applicants. “We do, consistently offer to all groups equally, and ... those that apply for use of Collin Park or any other park, it's actually right on the application for using that park ... including a temporary stage,” Van Beek said. He added the city is working through any specific questions with the attorney’s office and that staff will bring further information to council at a later date if needed.

Ending: No formal council action was taken on the bandshell policy at the meeting; the item remained a public comment and a staff‑level clarification that the application includes temporary stage options and is offered to all groups.