Alcohol ban at San Marcos city parks

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - If your idea of a good day spent at the park includes a bottle of wine and some finger sandwiches – you might want to hold off on doing that in San Marcos.

On Tuesday, the San Marcos City Council approved an ordinance that would enact a range of new rules for its parks.

The biggest change: the ban of all alcohol consumption in all city parks.

The new rules would also ban the use of Styrofoam coolers, ice chests, cups, plates, and other Styrofoam type products.

While the new rules might seem overreaching to some park users, the City’s mayor insists the rules will benefit the community.

"Our goal is to enhance the safety and enjoyment of our park system for all of our residents and visitors," said Mayor Daniel Guerrero. “The new rules are aimed at public safety and protecting the fragile environment of the river and park areas."

For some park users, the environment trumps having a couple of drinks.

"If we have to drink before we come to the river, I mean, that's not that big of a deal. But [we can't have] all this trash in the river," said Jon Camp.

If you’re actually in the San Marcos River, you’ll be able to have alcoholic beverages, but displaying or consuming alcohol on the river banks would not be allowed. If you have a special event contract designated area of a rented park pavilion, park facility or picnic tables, then you are allowed to have alcohol.

If the ordinance is approved on the second and final reading on April 3, the park rangers will work with park visitors to make sure they know the rules.

“We want to take the time to let them know what the rules are and use enforcement only as a last step,” said Fire Marshal Ken Bell.

The proposed amendments would:

• Ban the public display and consumption of alcohol in city parks
• Prohibit alcohol on city owned dams, spillways and bridges
• Ban the use of Styrofoam type products in parks and the river, including coolers, ice chests, cups, plates, toys, floats, kickboards, rings or swim gear. Styrofoam liners used as floatation devices or dock supports are exempt if they are encapsulated by a water-based acrylic or latex coating or within a boat.
• Prohibit smoking and chewing tobacco in play areas and athletic fields
• Require the securing of lids and covers on containers in the San Marcos River
• Authorize the parks director to establish rules for barbecue pits
• Prohibit all-terrain vehicles in city park areas that are not improved roadways
• Prohibit spear guns in the San Marcos River without a permit
• Increase fines for littering to a range of $250 to $500
• Apply park rules in City natural areas and greenspaces