DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Request to update alcohol exemptions in City parks
SUMMARY:
On May 26, 2015, Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales asked staff to consider prohibiting alcohol in the following parks located in District 5: Amistad, Father Albert Benavides, Calderon Boys and Girls Club, Cassiano, Elmendorf Lake, Kelly Area, Morrill, Roosevelt and Juan Vidaurri Parks. Staff also recommends removing Escobar Park located in District 5 from the list of exemptions as it is located adjacent to the listed parks.
Additionally, the City recently acquired Northern Hills Golf Course which is currently operated by Municipal Golf Association - San Antonio (MGA-SA). North East Golf Center is currently operated by and leased to Northeast Golf Center, LLC. It is recommended to further amend City Code in order to permit alcohol sales, possession, consumption and distribution at these facilities as is consistent with other municipal golf facilities.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Section 22-1 of the City Code establishes restrictions on the sale and use of alcoholic beverages in public parks. In 2002, City Council approved an Ordinance which established a restriction on alcohol in all City parks, except for those specifically exempted and listed in the Ordinance. As a result, the alcohol prohibition makes it unlawful for any person to sell, possess, consume, or distribute alcoholic beverages in any City park except for a list of exempted park locations. The majority of parks exempted from the alcohol restriction, fall within one of three criteria: 1) park designed or traditionally utilized for large group functions; 2) park serves as a destination for tourists or convention groups; and 3) park is under lease or license that allows alcohol to be served. Under the current Ordinance, alcohol is permitted at 53 parks and facilities out of a total of 245 loc...
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