Free For All: Alcohol in Parks
So, what do you think about the County Commissioners lifting the ban on alcohol in parks? I have to admit I’m torn on the issue. I like the idea of weddings, company picnics and reunions having the option of having alcohol at their parties where presumably food will be served. I’m not so keen, however on the idea of softball leagues having drinks after a game. I’m no prude but I think that the more organized the event, the less likely alcohol will become a problem.
I’m not buying Commissioner Gray’s argument that parks will be strewn with liquor bottles, thereby sending a bad message to our youth. I think most people respect the parks and will clean up after themselves. I could be way off base though. What do you think?
from → General, News, Related Links
I’m not sure you have to worry about the softball league scenario you mentioned:
“Alcohol is only permitted in designated areas of the park and must not interfere with other park users. At no time is possession or use of alcohol allowed on any athletic fields, bleachers or spectator areas.”
The article lays out the requirements rather clearly.
Having grown up in New Orleans and having just moved away from there, alcohol laws here are way too restrictive in my opinion. We can have alcohol pretty much anytime and anywhere in NOLA (including buying it in grocery stores which I miss the most) and I’ve never really run into too many problems with it.
It is strange to me how you can’t roam Market Street at night with a cup of beer in your hand… but I guess it isn’t Bourbon.
I don’t think there’s anything to worry about here.
I agree with syako, I’m from Europe, and over there you can drink alcohol pretty much everywhere. That doesn’t mean that you find more drunks in the streets than here but as with everything – there’s always some people that would abuse this. Especially in the beginning people would be too excited and maybe overdo it.
I think the “strings attached” (i.e., written application/$25 permit required for liquor consumption, etc.) are sufficient to keep drinking under control while bringing in needed revenue. (Nobody in the County should have been surprised at the drop in rental revenue after the ban was enacted.)
I think Commissioner Thompson can relax. In my view, it’s going a bit overboard to somehow equate giving permission to serve alcohol in Frederick parks under controlled conditions with sanctioning drug/alcohol abuse and the ills its brings to society.
I played for years in the Frederick Co. Industrial Softball league. We always had a beer to sip on during the game, until around 1999. Then we weren’t allowed to drink beer until the game was over.
Prohibition doesn’t work. I know some yahoos will drink too much and make a mess, but making a law against it isn’t going to stop them anyway.
I agree. Prohibition never has worked and never will. I’m glad that the city is allowing responsible alcohol consumption… finally.
I’m so glad that they are opening our parks to alcohol. I don’t know how we ever enjoyed them without it. Go freedom… (good-bye common sense…)
just maybe you are a prude lizfrog??
what makes softball players more prone to cause anymore problems then some wedding?
don’t ya think some of the wedding parties, company picnic folks or reunion people play softball? i guess they’re more responsible at the weddings huh? i think not…
I already stated my reasons (my opinions) in the post. I don’t feel the need to repeat them here.
yes you did state your reasons liz.
and it’s that you think softball players are nothing but a bunch of drunks!