Alcohol Bans in Parks – Where and when

The other day I was talking to one of my homeless friends that that lives on the street and he told me that the police told him to drink in Law Park, and I thought that was strange and told him I was going to look that up and let him know what the law said, because I thought it was banned there (and I voted against it).  Then I noticed that Clausius and Ahrens were banning alcohol in Mayfair and Sherry (O.B.) Park.  So, here’s the info, which parks can you drink in, when and where and how.

8.24 ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL AND CONTAINER CONTROL ON CERTAIN PUBLIC PROPERTY.
(1) Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, give away, possess or consume any alcohol beverages as defined in Wis. Stat. ch. 125.02, on any of the following City properties:
(a) Penn Park, except between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages; (Am. by ORD-07-00193, 12-20-07; ORD-10-00114, 12-8-10)
(b) Breese Stevens Field, except within the walled and gated portions thereof; (Am. by ORD-12-00024, 3-5-12)
(c) The football field, the baseball diamond and the grandstand at Warner Park except during professional minor league baseball games and directly related activities authorized by lease approved by the Common Council and Mayor;
(d) Dynie Mansfield Athletic and Recreational Field;
(e) Upon the premises at 452 State Street;
(f) In any part of Elver Park on July 4 except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages.
(g) In Brittingham Park except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages or in other areas with the prior approval of the Parks Division.
(h) In any part of Newville Park. (Cr. by Ord. 10,606, 3-12-93)
(i) In James Madison Park except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages or in other areas with the prior approval of the Parks Division. (Am. by Ord. 10,930, 7-5-94)
(j) In any part of Warner Park on the day of the Rhythm and Booms celebration (excluding the exception in Subdivision (c) above) except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages. (Am. by Ord. 12,846, 7-9-01; Ord. 13,456, 11-21-03)
(k) In any part of Windom Way Park. (Cr. by Ord. 10 ,930, 7-5-94)
(l) In any part of Olin/Turville Park when the Park Commission approves any special event which includes duly designated and cordoned off are as specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages, except in those duly designated and cordoned off areas. (Cr. by Ord. 12,162, 7-20-98)
(m) In any part of Tenney Park except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages or in other areas, with the prior approval of the Parks Division. (Cr. by Ord. 12,303, 1-15-99; Am. by Ord. 12,541, 2-18-00)
(n) In any part of Bernie’s Beach except in a duly designated and cordoned off area specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages and with the prior approval of the Park Commission. (Cr. by Ord. 12,463, 9-3-99)
(o) In the Demetral Park shelter and a fifty (50) foot radius surrounding the shelter, except by permit with the prior approval of the Parks Division.
(p) In any part of Olbrich Park during the Atwood Community Center’s Summerfest Celebration except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages. (Cr. by Ord. 12,657, 8-10-00)
(q) The public right away that extends from North Carroll Street to Lake Mendota. (Cr. by ORD-11-00130, 9-28-11)
(r) In any part of Paunack Park and Paunack Marsh, except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages or in other areas, with the prior approval of the Parks Division. (Cr.
by Ord. 12,943, 12-24-01)
(s) In any part of Thut Park, except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages or in other areas, with the prior approval of the Parks Division. (Cr. by Ord. 12,943, 12-24-01)
(t) In any part of Waunona Park, except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages or in other areas, with the prior approval of the Parks Division. (Cr. by Ord.12,943, 12-24-01)
(u) In any part of B.B. Clarke Beach, except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages or in other areas, with the prior approval of the Parks Division. (Cr. by Ord.13,229, 1-25-03; Am. by Ord. 13,330, 5-28-03)
(v) In any part of Period Garden Park. (Cr. by Ord. 13,310, 4-30-03)
(w) In any part of Reger Park except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages or in other areas, with the prior approval of the Parks Division. (Cr. by Ord. 13,330, 5-28-03)
(x) In any part of Law Park except in duly designated and cordoned off areas specifically set aside for the consumption of alcohol beverages or in other areas, with the prior approval of the Parks Division. (Cr. by ORD-07-00078, 7-11-07; Am. by ORD-09-00080, 5-21-09)
(y) In any part of Eastmorland Park. (Cr. by ORD-08-00098, 8-23-08)
(z) In any part of Lake Edge Park unless a Parks Division alcohol permit is issued in conjunction with a shelter reservation. (Cr. by ORD-09-00109, 7-24-09)
(aa) The public right away that extends from North Henry Street to Lake Mendota. (Cr. by ORD-11-00130, 9-28-11)
(bb) In any part of Henry Vilas Zoo property unless specific permission has been granted by the Henry Vilas Zoo Director. (Cr. by ORD-11-00168,12-6-11)
(cc) In any part of the City-County Building located at 210 Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard, including the outdoor areas located between the public sidewalk and all sides of the building, including but not limited to the entrance steps, the planters and all cement areas adjacent to the building. (Cr. by ORD-12-00013, 1-24-12)
(dd) In any part of the Madison Municipal Building located at 215 Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard, including the outdoor areas located between the public sidewalk and all sides of the building, including but not limited to the entrance steps, the planters and all cement areas adjacent to the building. (Cr. by ORD-12-00013, 1-24-12)
(ee) Olbrich Park, except for the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and, for other areas of Olbrich Park, with the prior approval of the Parks Division or the Parks Superintendent. This ordinance shall expire twelve (12) months from the date of enactment. (Cr. by ORD-12-00084, 6-26-12)
(ff) Reindahl Park, except with the prior approval of the Parks Division or the Parks Superintendent. This ordinance shall expire twelve (12) months from the date of enactment. (Cr. by ORD-12-00084, 6-26-12)

Language to be added by the council tonight is as follows:
(gg) Mayfair Park, except with the prior approval of the Parks Division or the Parks Superintendent.
(hh) Sherry (O.B.) Park, except with the prior approval of the Parks Division or the Parks Superintendent.

So, I’ll be sure to let my friend know the police gave him bad information. And I’m kinda curious why they would have told him that . . .