As park-based yoga and fitness boot camps continue to gain popularity, more communities are taking note. Washington, D.C., is the latest to raise concern about such gatherings, which are actually illegal in D.C. parks under a law that prohibits private companies from conducting commercial activity at parks.
Lawmakers don't object to the activities, applauding the focus on healthy lifestyles, but they do want a piece of the action. The district's parks and recreation committee is working on a proposal that would allow personal trainers to continue to hold classes in parks, with a permit. The income from the permit fees would support park maintenance.
"There's two ways to look at this," Tommy Wells, chair of the D.C. parks and recreation committee, told WAMU. "One way is you're providing a service. It's great you are offering something otherwise not being offered for people to get fit and healthy. The other way to look at it is you are making money, and shouldn't you share some of that revenue with the government?"
Chicago and Irvine, Calif., are among the list of cities that already have special requirements in place for exercise classes in parks, not just for financial reasons but liability issues, as well. In the event that someone is injured during a group exercise class, cities may be held responsible if the organization leading the activity does not carry adequate insurance.
