Oshkosh looking to ban alcohol from city parks

The City of Oshkosh is contemplating an ordinance banning alcohol in city parks after a series of complaints from businesses around Opera House Square Park, near downtown on north Main Street.
The ordinance comes from a recommendation of the police department.

According to officials, There have been incidents related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages within the Opera House Square Park area.

It was decided to word the ordinance to include all city parks because of concerns that regulating alcohol consumption in a single park while allowing it in others would send the problem from one public location to another.

Oshkosh currently has an ordinance in place where open alcohol can be consumed in the downtown district if purchased from certain downtown facilities, and only during certain hours and days. This rule known as the Downtown Open Refreshment Area, would still exist, just not in any city park that resides in the boundaries of the district.

Wording in the ordinance would exclude the new rule during certain downtown city events like the downtown Holiday parade. The City Council will vote on the ordinance at the upcoming November 26th meeting.

In the City of Fond du Lac, alcohol is restricted in most parks however it is allowed in Lakeside park between the hours of 8AM and 8PM away from the playground, zoo area, and the lighthouse triangle flowerbed area. Alcohol is allowed from 8PM to 11PM in the pavilion, shelter or open grill areas if a reservation for a picnic area issued by the Park Superintendent has been granted.