City Council to consider expanding alcohol ban in city parks, public property

Open or unsealed beverages could soon become illegal to drink or possess in most city parks and other public property, according to ordinance changes being considered by the Sioux Falls City Council.

It proposes banning drinking, attempting to drink or possessing open or unsealed alcoholic beverages in the following city parks: Arrowhead, Barb Iverson, Heritage, Kenny Anderson, Lyon, McKennan, Nelson, Pasley, Phillips Avenue Plaza, Tomar, Tower, Tuthill, Van Eps, Veterans’ Memorial and Whittier.

The restriction wouldn’t apply to reserved events at Arrowhead House located in Arrowhead Park.

City ordinance already banned drinking in many city parks, but this item expands it to include possession of an open or unsealed container as well as attempting to drink. New additions include the Phillips Avenue Plaza and Nelson Park with the opening of the Barb Iverson Skate Plaza.

The change also bans alcohol in Falls Park, Fawick Park or any park property located adjacent to and within 500 feet of the Big Sioux River between Falls Park Drive and south to the Cliff Avenue bridge between 12th and 14th streets. Exceptions must be approved by the City Council and do not apply to places licensed to serve alcohol within their premises.

In all other city parks, the change would ban alcohol except for malt beverages and wine and where alcoholic beverages are licensed to be sold.

An additional ordinance change makes it unlawful to drink or possess open or unsealed alcohol in any public place unless the premises is licensed or in a qualifying lease. Public places mean any place, whether in or out of a building, owned, leased or managed by the city and any public street, alley, highway or public sidewalk.

“We noticed as a team there were green spaces or public spaces that didn’t fall under parks but still needed to be addressed,” said Brett Kollars, assistant director of parks and recreation for the city.

“This broader alcoholic beverage ordinance ensures people are using the appropriate spaces to carry and consume alcohol.”

He compared the change to a recently updated ordinance involving drinking on Siouxland Libraries property that has given police more authority for enforcement.

The Sioux Falls City Council will vote on the changes July 15.