The Springfield Park District has issued a request for proposals from vendors interested in operating the Washington Park concession stand that has been home to the Park-N-Chill ice cream shop for nearly a decade.
The move has prompted an outcry of support on social media for Park-N-Chill and its operators. Park-N-Chill supporters also attended a Park District committee meeting the evening of March 11 to voice their desire for the ice cream shop to remain in Washington Park.
“It would be a huge loss for the park and the entire park district if we lost such a wonderful, accommodating, and loving family owned business!” one Springfield resident commented on the Park District’s Facebook post about the RFP. Park-N-Chill is operated by the Klyczek family and is open seasonally in Washington Park.
Derek Harms, executive director of the Springfield Park District, told Springfield Business Journal the RFP is not a reflection of any dissatisfaction with Park-N-Chill. He said another potential vendor approached the Park District and expressed interest in operating the concession stand, and the district wants to ensure anyone from the community interested in bidding for a parks contract is given the opportunity to do so.
“As a public entity, it is important we give all members of the community access to utilize what are public facilities,” Harms said, adding that the district issues RFPs to allow multiple vendors to bid for “many, many parts of the Park District.”
Harms said the Park District has invited Park-N-Chill to submit a bid to continue to operate in the concession stand. Sandy Klyczek declined to speak with SBJ but in a message shared with a customer who reached out, she wrote that she was “very emotional” and “deeply saddened by the situation.”
The deadline to submit a proposal is March 20. Harms said the Park District’s goal is to make a selection “very quickly” after the deadline, taking into consideration the public feedback they’ve received.
“We will go through an evaluation and make a decision, and that positive feedback will be part of that process,” he said. Harms said the Park District has been glad to hear about the great experiences people in the community have had with Park-N-Chill.
“Creating those kinds of positive experiences is what we’re about here at the Park District,” he said.
This is very unprofessional on the part of the park district. Rules should exist that determine when contracts are awarded by RFP and when they are small purchase or other process. It shouldn’t merely be the happenstance of an inquiry. Everyone should follow the same rules. and process.
I’d think the business would do better if it were contiguous to the picnic area. That has a much higher public usage. As far as a RFP. How about having recommended vendors for the picnic area and the soft ball areas. Let’s get the Boards fingers into everything until it all get killed and no one uses the parks. Let’s bring in formula V auto races. There would be thousands watching and millions to be made on admission and concessions. Sure would stir up the ducks!
I suppose the question is it written in city park district policies or city policies that these contracts are bid on yearly, randomly or what is the process? What is the criteria are they treated like every other outside business that contracts with the city? Where does the public or business find the criteria and process for sending a bid. When was the last time this was up for bid and where was it published?
Leave it to the park district to mess up simple things like ice cream and baseball parks.
Where do you have to file out application?
Our family loves the personal service we receive from Sandy at Park n Chill. We enjoy the Dole Whip, especially since our grandchildren have dairy allergies. They would be greatly missed.
Where is the support for small business. Sandy has a significant investment in Park N Chill. Is all for naught? Why isn’t the lease longer term as it is for most businesses? Why would anyone do this, if they had to rebid each year?
let them open