Tampa Discusses Relaxing Alcohol Policy For Parks

To what extent should alcohol be available in city parks and community centers?

City council members are wrestling with that question as the parks and recreation department rewrites some of its codes.

Existing rules generally prohibit alcohol sales and consumption in parks and recreation areas, but alcohol sales have been allowed in some city parks as long as the concession or restaurant is not operated by the city, such as Malio's restaurant in Kiley Gardens.

The city is trying to find a way to work out the inconsistencies in when and where alcohol can be sold.

Thursday's discussion was instigated by a recent request to rezone property at Ballast Point Park to allow Taste of Boston, a small restaurant in the park, to sell alcohol. The council rejected the proposal.

Parks director Karen Palus told the council she expects some requests to sell alcohol in city parks to be made in the next few years. She used the new Tampa Bay History Center in Cotanchobee Park and the new museums slated for Curtis Hixon Park as examples.

Although they are in city parks, those facilities won't be operated by the city.

Concessionaires at Ben T. Davis Beach and Al Lopez Park might want to sell alcohol someday, Palus said. The city in a few weeks is expected to request proposals for a concession stand at Al Lopez Park. If alcohol is sold, the city could get a cut of the revenue.

That bothered council Chairman Tom Scott, who said he hopes the city isn't responding to budget shortfalls by trying to make money off alcohol sales.

"What is it going to lead to?" Scott said. "If this is the way we need to raise money, that's bad, that's pathetic."

Councilman John Dingfelder said he wants to work with the parks department on a policy on alcohol in parks. He said he might be amenable to allowing alcohol in downtown urban parks but doesn't want it to spread to more community-based parks. Once a policy is created, he said, it should take five, rather than four, votes on the seven-member council to approve an exception.

The city also is launching a pilot program this year that would allow alcohol in two rental facilities, Ragan Park Center and Seminole Heights Garden Center. Those who want to serve beer and wine will need a permit, and alcohol must be provided by a licensed and insured caterer. Those facilities can be rented for weddings and other parties.

If the program succeeds, the city would consider expanding it to the Kate Jackson, Hunt and Barksdale community centers.