Campaign to Reduce Noise Pollution
in Freedom Park

Friends of Freedom Park wants to hear from you!

• The proposed goal is to reduce the decibel levels and the frequency of times amplified sound is permitted in Freedom Park and to ensure that only large groups are granted permits.
• The purpose is to allow ALL park patrons the freedom to enjoy their own leisure activities in the park without the intrusion, annoyance or domination of amplified sound from individuals in the park or from groups that "rent" the park for private events.

The Biggest Cause of Noise:

The main source of noise pollution in Freedom Park is the policy of the park department to regularly rent out the park - usually on weekends when the park has the most visitors - to private, sometimes very small, groups, The rental allows them to use high powered amplification for music, announcements, speeches and preaching. This amplification engulfs the entire lake area and nearby neighborhood.

Frequently, the groups renting the park have only a few people actually attending but the amplification forces everyone in the lake area and nearby neighborhood to hear their private program.

On Saturday, April 24, 2005 an all-day and much of the evening event , generated noise reached levels in the park and nearby neighborhood that prompted letters of complaint to several County Commissioners and park officials (excerpts attached). As a result, the Park Dept. has agreed to consider the issues. Previous efforts by FOFP and the Freedom Park Neighborhood Association have resulted in restrictions on frequency of permits.

Key Points:

• This effort is not about restricting meetings or events in the park. It is about the inappropriate use of amplified noise in a park designed as peaceful escape from city noise and congestion.
• This effort is not about restricting any type of group or event in the park. It does not matter if the group is religious or any particular type of religion, commercial, political, or charitable, etc. When amplified sound is used, the rights of everyone else in the park and nearby neighborhood are affected.
• We are seeking a new policy from the Park and Recreation Dept. or the County Commission that keeps Freedom Park open for all to use and enjoy. We are questioning the policy in which everyone else should lose the opportunity to fully enjoy the park due to noise pollution, just because a private group paid a rental fee.
• As in the campaign over the "Freedom Bell" and the cutting down of the cherry trees, the issue comes down to what is the main purpose and value of Freedom Park, especially the beautiful lake area? Tourism for out of town visitors? A venue for special events of private groups? Or is it a unique place for Mecklenburg residents to enjoy beauty, nature, open space, a place where everyone can enjoy it on their own as long as they don't infringe on others rights?
• We believe amplified sound should be allowed in the park for very special events.

What do you think? Let us know.

Names and contact information of FOFP Supporters are never shared.