Alcohol consumption to be allowed in Phoenix Park
Interested groups need to get permission from the city before hosting an event
Jacob McCormick
Issue date: 4/16/07 Section: Campus News
In addition to graduation parties and music festivals, Buchanan said family reunions and campus organizations would also be encouraged to host their events in the park.
"I think (the ordinance) is a great thing because it will allow more activities and people to have access to Phoenix Park," he said.
Buchanan said the restrictions will promote responsible use of alcohol in the park, even if opponents of the ordinance may not believe in careful drinking.
"Phoenix Park has become a lightning rod for all the alcohol problems in the city because some people don't believe there is such a thing as responsible alcohol use," he said.
Hammer said she's opposed to people just walking into the park with alcohol unless it's part of a larger event.
"I don't think you should be able to go there and just have a beer," she said. "It might get a little ridiculous with littering and everything, but any major event would be OK."
Duax said the argument against the measure isn't focused on preventing citizens from drinking in parks.
"The question is why Phoenix Park?" Duax said. "It's beautiful, new and more of a family park. It's not built for large events - it's built for small events."
Phoenix Park is not as large as Carson Park, where it's easy to break up groups of people to share the space, he said.
Duax said his opposition to the measure is not directed at any group, but rather stems from the messages sent to community members and families.
"My feeling is we're sending the wrong message that you need alcohol to have fun in parks," Duax said.
"No one is being told to not have a drink," he said. "Taverns are around the park and other Eau Claire parks do allow alcohol."
"I think (the ordinance) is a great thing because it will allow more activities and people to have access to Phoenix Park," he said.
Buchanan said the restrictions will promote responsible use of alcohol in the park, even if opponents of the ordinance may not believe in careful drinking.
"Phoenix Park has become a lightning rod for all the alcohol problems in the city because some people don't believe there is such a thing as responsible alcohol use," he said.
Hammer said she's opposed to people just walking into the park with alcohol unless it's part of a larger event.
"I don't think you should be able to go there and just have a beer," she said. "It might get a little ridiculous with littering and everything, but any major event would be OK."
Duax said the argument against the measure isn't focused on preventing citizens from drinking in parks.
"The question is why Phoenix Park?" Duax said. "It's beautiful, new and more of a family park. It's not built for large events - it's built for small events."
Phoenix Park is not as large as Carson Park, where it's easy to break up groups of people to share the space, he said.
Duax said his opposition to the measure is not directed at any group, but rather stems from the messages sent to community members and families.
"My feeling is we're sending the wrong message that you need alcohol to have fun in parks," Duax said.
"No one is being told to not have a drink," he said. "Taverns are around the park and other Eau Claire parks do allow alcohol."
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