Alexandria board approves Anderson Town Powwow site use; organizers, board discuss parking and accessibility

The Alexandria Parks Board voted to allow the Anderson Town Powwow organization to use park grounds and the building for a Saturday evening dinner as part of the two‑day powwow the weekend after Labor Day.

Debbie, a Powwow representative, told the board the event has run about 20 years (with cancellations for weather and COVID) and typically attracts roughly 3,500 visitors. She described programming that includes arena dancing, a Lenape hoop dancer and a historical interpreter, and said the Powwow has run an artist‑in‑residence program at Alexandria High School that benefits students.

Board members raised specific logistical concerns: reserving parking close to performance and handicapped areas, gating and entry control so dancers and staff can use reserved spaces, and coordinating shared parking with the 4‑H fair association. Debbie said in prior years she had been told a building and its associated parking were available but that this year she expected to share some spaces; she asked for five nearby spots for handicapped use and for clear guidance about which gates and access points would be reserved for performers.

Members asked staff to provide an aerial map showing which areas could be opened for Powwow use and discussed barricade placement and volunteer staffing for traffic control. The board also confirmed building rental rules (the building is rentable Friday, Saturday and Wednesday nights) and that the Powwow’s Saturday dinner would be the only time the building was used by organizers that weekend.

A motion to allow the Powwow organization to use the grounds and building for the Saturday evening dinner was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board noted the need for a follow‑up meeting after the event to review logistics and suggested staff coordinate with the Powwow organizers and with Mike, the former park coordinator who previously handled a lot of logistics.