Prescott Park Blanket/Chair Policy: Do You Agree?

A policy went into effect Saturday prohibiting people from setting up blankets and chairs too early for Prescott Park Arts Festival events.

It has been common practice for people to claim prime spots for festival events hours in advance. Last year, some people set up blankets and chairs as many as 10 hours before an Ani DiFranco concert.

Festival officials said as of Saturday, blankets and chairs may not be set up before 3 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. on weekends before events.

Phyllis Eldridge, chair of the Prescott Park Trustees, said the policy will protect the park. She said chairs and blankets left on the lawn for hours can kill grass.

"It's impossible to have the park look they way it should when the lawn is covered starting in the early hours," she said. "This is not new.  Until a few years ago this was always the policy."

She continued, "We have no reason to think it will cut down on attendance and that is certainly not our goal."

What do you think of the policy?

The arts festival continues Monday night with a screening of the James Bond film "Skyfall."