By Lee Reinsch
Correspondent
DE PERE – The De Pere Common Council approved several changes to its municipal ordinance regarding parks at its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 18, including changes to the sale of beverages containing alcohol in city parks.
One of the changes to the ordinance is that the city will be able to sell alcoholic beverages, along with nonprofit groups and service organizations.
Nonprofits and service organizations don’t need a special permit, but others such as vendors need to apply for and receive a private vendor permit.
Adding the city to the list of who can sell beverages containing alcohol paves the way for the city to create a beer garden in one of its local parks.
“It allows the city to run a beer garden, as well as private organizations,” said De Pere Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Marty Kosobucki.
He added that although a beer garden may be in the works, it’s still in its infancy stage.
Another of the changes to the parks ordinance regarding alcohol is that people may bring and consume wine or beer anywhere in city parks.
The old ordinance stated that certain areas could be restricted.
Also, carry-ins are allowed at parks except at the county fairgrounds during the county fair.
Alderman Dan Carpenter cast the only nay vote, citing concerns about the appearance of the city to be promoting the use of alcohol.
“We have many programs where we’re trying to stop alcohol abuse, and with the city getting involved in selling alcoholic beverages, doesn’t it make it look like the city is promoting alcohol use?” he said.
The Common Council also gave the go-ahead to several downtown beautification projects, including on Main Avenue, with seven planter beds with decorative wrought-iron railings; on George Street, with oversized planters and flower beds; and on Broadway, with a sculpture walk.
The sculpture walk involves a rotating array of 10 sculptures, including four on North Broadway between James Street and George Street, and six on South Broadway between George Street and the bridge roundabout.
The city will lease the sculptures from artists for periods of six to eight months.
The idea is patterned after one in Eau Claire, according to Tina Quigley, executive director of Definitely De Pere.
The three projects are estimated to cost $86,000, to be paid for with money from excess stadium tax revenue.