Oshkosh considers temporary ban of alcohol in city parks

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)—The City of Oshkosh is considering adopting a temporary ordinance that will ban alcohol in city parks until March 31, 2025.

In a memo to the Common Council requesting the ordinance, Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith said several complaints had been made to the police about intoxicated persons in the Opera House Square Park violating or attempting to violate other ordinances.

Common Council Member Kris Larson explained more of the reasoning in a Facebook post.

“The ask to prohibit alcohol for a short period of time has to do with the fact that Opera House Square, over the past few months, has had quite a few disturbances and behavior from folks that should not be occurring in our public parks,” Larson wrote. “Some of this behavior is absolutely due to the fact that there is alcohol involved. This has gotten to the point where it is tough for businesses located near there to do business, and for folks to enjoy that park.”

Larson explained that temporarily prohibiting alcohol in public parks is hoped to give officers a way to provide outreach in the park.

The ordinance will affect all parks to address the current problems and allow the city to evaluate its effectiveness and identify long term solutions. If the ordinance to temporarily ban alcohol in city parks passes, it will also require an amendment to the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) downtown to remove the city parks and sidewalks adjacent to the Opera House Square Park. There would be exceptions made for special events and park facility rentals. 

The council will take up the ordinance and vote on it during their November 26th meeting.