Gaspee Days Committee Aspray Boat House & Pawtuxet Park Rules and Frequently Asked Questions Maureen McGovern, Chair

How do I rent the Aspray Boat House? The Aspray Boat House is available for rental by sending an e-mail inquiry to Maureen McGovern at mamsold@aol.com.  You MUST put in the subject line : "Aspray Boat House".  If your date and time is available, you will then need to submit the application form and fees. How much does it cost to rent the Aspray Boat House? For members of the public, the basic use charge of the Aspray building, meeting room and foyer is $75 per day (with an additional $50 refundable security deposit required on a separate check). There is an additional charge of $25 per day for use of the adjoining kitchen if desired. Actively involved members of the Gaspee Days Committee are entitled to a discounted rate. Pawtuxet Village area non-profit organizations may reserve the Aspray Boat House free of charge, conditional on proper clean-up, and we strongly encourage the contribution of money or services-in-kind for the Aspray Boat House & Pawtuxet Park maintenance and beautification on a yearly basis. What is the capacity of the Aspray Boat House? The City of Warwick Fire Marshal has determined that the limit of 56 persons in the main meeting room is not to be exceeded.  Of course, during the summer you might have many more guests milling about on the outside, but there should not be any more than 56 persons in the meeting room at any one time.  The meeting room itself is 23 x 37 feet, or approximately 850 square feet of floor space. For what time of day can the building be reserved? From 9 am to 9 pm.  City of Warwick ordinance limits the closure time to no later than 9 pm. Can I come in the night before to set-up? Unfortunately, no.  Building security concerns and maintenance-cleaning schedules dictate that we cannot allow access the night before your event. What else is provided for use with the rental? There are nine 8 foot long collapsible tables and 60 chairs for use in the meeting area.  These must be set up and taken down by the user.  Be careful not to drag chairs and tables across the floor.  The foyer has two handicapped accessible bathrooms. Toilet paper and paper towels are provided.  There are no shower facilities available. A waterside patio is available.  However, some erosion has occurred nearby that requires that you do not allow guests to pass beyond the limits of the brick patio itself. Can I decorate the Aspray Boat House for my event? Yes, but use caution and common sense (and, hopefully, good taste).  You may not move or remove any of our framed posters and art prints that are hanging on the walls.  There are hooks provided around the perimeter of the meeting room in the window wells.  Any damage to the painted walls from tape, tacks, etc will result in the forfeiture of your security deposit, and possible other actions.  What are the items I need to bring to the Aspray Boat House? Table linens, plateware, cookware as appropriate for the occasion, and cleaning supplies. If you are hosting a particularly large event consider bringing along extra trash bags and toilet paper.  Decorations are optional, of course, and do be careful not to damage the room in any way. What do I have to do after completion of my event at the Aspray Boat House? All tape, balloons and other decorations must be completely removed by the user. All table and chairs must be returned and stacked neatly in the storage locations against the walls. Be careful not to drag chairs and tables across the floor. Sweep floors, turn off lights, and check that all doors and windows are locked and secure before leaving. If using the kitchen; clean, dry, and return all kitchen items in a clean state. Remove all food and trash in or around the Aspray Boat House, taking it home for disposal. Leave the Aspray Boat House in a clean and orderly fashion.  Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of your security deposit, and possible other actions. Return the key to us. Can I serve liquor to my guests at the Aspray Boat House? It is the official policy of the Gaspee Days Committee that individuals and groups renting the Aspray Boat House may not use or consume alcohol on the premises.  The City of Warwick, however, does allow consumption of alcoholic beverages within the Aspray Boat House building or grounds upon obtaining all applicable permits and licenses from the City of Warwick Police Department – Board of Public Safety.  Any properly licensed group or user renting the Aspray Boat House that serves alcohol during an event does so at their own peril, and subject to the laws of the City of Warwick and the State of Rhode Island. The user is responsible for the conduct and actions of their guests. Further information on permits can be obtained from the City of Warwick Police Department-Board of Public Safety at (401) 468-4340 or email: wpdlicense@warwickri.com Can I allow my guests to smoke inside the Aspray Boat House? No.  Since the building is owned by the City of Warwick, there is no smoking allowed inside a municipal building. If guests smoke outside, please remind them to dispose of butts properly and not litter. Can I have music at my event at the Aspray Boat House? Music is allowed within the constraints of the municipal ordinances of the City of Warwick until 9 pm.  Excessively loud music disturbing to our neighbors at any time is not allowed. Can I enter through the parking lot door to the Aspray Boat House? No.  The West room is reserved exclusively for the use of the Gaspee Days Committee and contains materials used for our Gaspee Days Events. It can be a dangerous area with stuff packed up high. Can I dock my boat at the Aspray Boat House? No. This is a City of Warwick municipal dock, and boat usage is limited to 15 minutes, just enough time to load or unload passengers. Can I launch my boat from the Aspray Boat House boat ramp? Yes, this is a City of Warwick municipal facility.  Boat launches and retrievals should be brief and take less than 15 minutes.  We request that if you need to park your vehicle and boat trailer that you utilize the spaces to the West, alongside Narragansett Parkway. Can I reserve the parking lot of the Aspray Boat House? No, again, this is a City of Warwick municipal parking lot.  We cannot guarantee lot space, but the lot can accommodate approximately 30 cars. Bear in mind that adequate clearance MUST be retained at all times for boat launching and retrieval operations from the adjoining boat ramp facility Can I reserve Pawtuxet Park and/or the gazebo that adjoins the Aspray Boat House? Yes. Pawtuxet Park and the gazebo are owned and maintained by the City of Warwick Parks and Recreation Department.  Through a cooperative arrangement, Warwick Parks & Recreation grants the Gaspee Days Committee scheduling operations for Pawtuxet Park and the gazebo.  If you desire to reserve the Pawtuxet Park and/or the gazebo for an event, please contact Maureen McGovern to schedule. You must put in the Subject Line: Pawtuxet Park. Courtesy of the City of Warwick, there is no charge for reservations of  Pawtuxet Park itself or its gazebo by itself, but you must clean up after the event.  Please also realize that you may not prohibit the public from using the Pawtuxet Park during your event.  The pupose of the reservation process of Pawtuxet Park and its gazebo is only to prevent conflicts in scheduling.  If you are having a particularly large or important event at the Aspray Boat House or at Pawtuxet Park you should specifically mention this in your reservation request to ensure that there will be no conflicts encountered. Can I use the outside water faucets? Possibly, but this would require specific arrangements ahead of time. Can we feed the ducks and swans? We do not advise it.  They hiss loudly and bite on a regular basis. Are there any multimedia services available? There several electrical sockets in the meeting area, but no cable, ethernet, or telephone service. Cell phone reception can be erratic and depends on carrier signal strength.  Wireless internet access is also erratic and would depend on available neighborhood unsecured signal strength. There is no projector, but there is a screen available, or the white walls can be used for projection purposes. There are no shades available to darken the room adequately for daytime presentations. What's the fine print? As owner of the Aspray Boat House, the City of Warwick reserves the right to force a rescheduling at any time.    It is also possible that the building or grounds might not be usable due to natural disasters, vandalism, etc  The Gaspee Days Committee is NOT responsible for any losses or claims, material or otherwise, arising from use or failure to use the Aspray Boat House, any or all of its facilities, and surrounding properties. The Gaspee Days Committee disavows any endorsement of the user of the Aspray Boat House or Pawtuxet Park for political, religious, or any other purposes. You may not allow use or entrance into areas marked "Keep Out", or “Gaspee Only”. You, the renter, are responsible for results of acts of negligence by your guests resulting in damage to the building or grounds, and for any missing or damaged property. Immediately report any problems that occur to Maureen McGovern, Aspray Boat House Booking Chair, Gaspee Days Committee, at 263-2028. Rules and an alternate contact list are posted near the Boat House foyer entrance. These rules are subject to change at any time subject to the Gaspee Days Committee and/or the City of Warwick. Any other questions? E-mail Maureen McGovern, Chair of the Gaspee Days Boat House subcommittee, at mamsold@aol.com, Subject line:  "Aspray Boat House", or, if necessary, call (401) 263-2028.

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