Parks: Ruby Hill Alcohol Sales and Rules Revisions‏

by Dave Felice


Keep Parks for People, not Profit

The Denver Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) holds two important public hearings on Thursday, April 12. The first hearing is for a request to allow sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at Ruby Hill Park. The original designation of Ruby Hill as a special events site makes no provision for alcoholic beverages.

Proponents, including event promoters, argue that alcohol sales are necessary to recoup the costs of events, are "part of the overall package" and "an essential part of the experience" of park events.
The Greenway Foundation proposes a free public concert at which alcoholic beverages can be sold and consumed. Swallow Hill Music Association contemplates closing a portion of the park and requiring an admission fee for entrance into the closed area where beer and wine would be sold.



Supporters apparently have tried to limit the discussion of the request to a small portion of Councilman Chris Nevitt's 7th Council District. Only those neighborhoods immediately surrounding the park have been involved in reviewing the proposal.

Opponents contend the sale of alcoholic beverages is a matter of citywide consideration. Those opposing the proposal argue that allowing sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is unnecessary, sets a bad example for children, results in undesirable behavior, and promotes alcohol dependency on publicly-owned property.

City officials have presented no specific plans about the area of the events at Ruby Hill Park. There is no public information on the proposed location where alcoholic beverages will be sold and consumed.

The second hearing involves a complete revision of Rules and Regulations for park activities. The revision introduces civil penalties (fines) for infraction of rules. Similar to parking tickets, the civil penalties would assess financial punishment for rule-breaking. See the attached document for complete details.

The hearings are part of the expanded regular second Thursday meeting. Those attending should be prepared to undergo security screening at the Court Street entrance of the Webb Office Building. Anyone who intends to speak at these hearings should arrive at least 10 minutes early prior to the meeting start time to sign up.

All attendees also need to allow additional time for the security check.

AGENDA - DENVER PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
April 12, 2012 – 5:30- 8:00 p.m.
Wellington E. Webb Building
201 West Colfax
Conference Room 4g2
(Security entrance on Court Street and 15th St)
BOARD ACTION ITEMS
Call to Order
Approve March Minutes DPRAB 5:30 p.m.
MANAGER’S REPORT
Manager’s Report Lauri Dannemiller, Manager, DPR 5:35 - 5:40 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
Alcohol Policy Amendment– Ruby Hill Council President, Chris Nevitt 5:40 - 5:45 p.m.
Community Input 5:45 - 6:30 p.m.
Board Review 6:30 - 6:45 p.m.
DPR Rules and Regulation Bob Finch, Director of Natural Resources 6:45 - 6:50 p.m.
Community Input 6:50 - 7:30 p.m.
Board Review 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Home Page:
http://www.denvergov.org/parksandrecreation/ContactUs/AdvisoryBoard/tabid/430499/Default.aspx
To get the list of Parks and Recreation Advisory Board memebers, click the link halfway down in the middle of the page (Current Advisory Board Roster) or use this link:
http://www.denvergov.org/Portals/626/documents/PRAB/AdvisoryBoardRoster01_2012.pdf