Objections to the ordinance have included the concern that it would infringe the rights of everyone who drinks socially and responsibly in the park. A ban could constitute a harassment of people who have a right to meet and enjoy the park as much as anyone does. Some individuals have stated that they feel confident that they can go anywhere in the park and do not have to be concerned for their safety, including near to where the 'ongoing party' took place during the summer. People have been concerned that the problems will just move to another nearby park. There has been a concern expressed that this ban is part of a pattern of restricting the rights of citizens in the City of Madison.
Background on this ordinance would include the following: on Thursday, August 20 the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association Board voted unanimously to recommend that the City Parks Commission forward an ordinance to ban alcohol, except by Parks permit, at Tenney Park, Filene Park, Burr Jones Park and along the Yahara River Parkway from Lake Mendota to E. Washington Ave -- all within TLNA boundaries. (TLNA then-President Richard Linster: 251-1937 or current President Tim Olsen: 255-9358). On September 9, The Parks Commission supported an ordinance to ban alcohol, except by permit, in Tenney Park. That ordinance does not include any areas outside of the park boundaries.
This action was taken in response to a rash of problems associated with alcohol abuse as has been reported in the WI State Journal on 8/13/98, 8/14/98 in the Local section and on the front page of the Sunday, August 23rd Edition. The Madison Police Department has carried out a survey of nearby residents that has shown overwhelming support for the alcohol ban; 80% of more than 200 respondents. (Central District Captain George Silverwood: 266-4575; Alder Barbara Vedder: 249-8428) The police department has also documented, via a memo to Parks Department Superintendent Dan Stapay (266-4711), a few of the numerous police calls for violent and illegal behaviors that may be attributed to alcohol abuse in Tenney Park. A letter to the TLNA of 11/16/98 confirmed that the police department research found that of the 40 individuals who were identified in the park during police calls, only four had any contact with the drop-in homeless shelter.
Anecdotally, officers reported that some individuals drinking on a regular basis in the park and near the shelter had a history of being ejected from bars for inappropriate behavior. (Lieutenant Offerdahl: 266-4022)Behaviors and consequences associated with alcohol abuse have proved very expensive for taxpayers throughout the city (Alder Tim Bruer 221-4848). Superintendent Stapay has also reported previously on the costs of maintenance and repairing damage to Parks property and on refunds made to groups who had reserved the park shelter for special events. An October 6, 1998 letter from the Parks Dept. (Stapay) to the Parks Commission found that many cities in the U.S. ban alcohol from all public parks. These include Milwaukee and a wide distribution of other cities from Juneau, Alaska to Michigan, North Carolina, and Arizona including Phoenix and six other cities.
On August 23 at 4:00 PM there was a Kids Parade to "Ban Alcohol Not People" organized by park users and nearby residents that proceeded to Tenney Park where two local television stations provided coverage. (TLNA then Safety Chair Kathi Bresnehan: 251-7399)
Neighbors and park users are all encouraged to attend the City Council meeting and to otherwise make their views known to various media. Past articles locally have included a TLNA Newsletter September/October 1998 article written by David Mandehr (259-1497) titled "Should Alcohol Be Kept Out of Tenney Park?" and TLNA President Richard Linster wrote a column titled, "Let's Take Back the Park!"
Current names and contact information for City Council members may be obtained through the City of Madison web page or with the assistance of the Mayor's office at 266-4611.
I�ll report on the results of the January meeting in the next newsletter.