Denver residents on Tuesday encouraged officials with the city Parks and Recreation Department to proceed with caution as they consider formally allowing the sale of alcohol at four city parks.
“When you add booze, you compound the problem,” said Bob Nelson, board president of City Park Jazz. “Why do that?”
Nelson was among about 30 residents who showed up at the Montclair Civic Building for the first public hearing on the proposed policy changes, which could ultimately go to the Denver City Council next month for consideration.
Currently, the city only allows the consumption of 3.2 percent beer at city parks. It prohibits the sale of alcohol except in “downtown event areas” that include Civic Center as well as Skyline, Sculpture and Sloan’s Lake parks.
The department’s proposal, however, calls for adding City Park and Confluence, Creek Front and Ruby Hill parks to a list of those where alcohol can be sold. It also intends to allow the consumption of beer and wine at certain permitted events at 13 parks and three other park facilities.
Some residents praised the proposal, saying it gives people planning special events more choices while providing needed revenue to the parks system.
“I can’t tell you how many nonprofit groups I’ve worked with trying to hold an event somewhere. People will say, ‘What about Washington Park? What about City Park?”‘ said Elaine Calzolari. “But then they ultimately get ruled out when they realize they can’t sell alcohol.”
Tiffiany Moehring, the department’s communications director, said the proposal allows Denver Parks and Recreation to keep a much tighter rein on park functions.
“What I don’t think people realize is that the new proposal requires a permit, and now we have a mechanism in place to track them,” Moehring said.
There will be three more public hearings before the proposal heads to the park advisory board for consideration. They will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Thursday at Scheitler Recreation Center, 5031 W. 46th Ave.; Tuesday at College View Recreation Center, 2525 S. Decatur St.; and July 28 at the District 3 Police Station, 1625 S. University Blvd.
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-1240 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.
