The Covington City Commission heard a proposal for an ordinance amendment that would allow the consumption of alcohol in public parks with a special event permit and beverage licensing at their meeting Tuesday night.
“I just want to be clear that if adopted, it wouldn’t be opening up BYOB to the parks or anything of that nature,” said Sheree Weichold of the Covington City Legal Department.
Currently, residents can consume alcohol at festival events in Covington so long as those events take place at Drees Pavilion at the Devou Memorial Overlook, the Devou Park golf course and clubhouse or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Drinks are also allowed at the Mainstrasse Festival Grounds during special events.
The ordinance amendment would allow alcohol consumption at any of the city’s public parks, in addition to the facilities already allowed, during events so long as the organizers of those events obtain a special event permit and a liquor license. The process of obtaining a permit would be done through the City Manager’s office.
The Covington City Commission will complete a first reading of the ordinance at the legislative meeting next week on Tuesday, April 9. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Covington City Hall on Pike Street.