Appleton bans alcohol within 20′ of playgrounds, pavilions; here are the new rules

Vosters Park in Appleton. Feb. 9, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Appleton Common Council voted unanimously to prohibit alcohol within 20 feet of pavilions and playgrounds at its public parks.

The new rules:

• Alcohol prohibited within 20 feet of pavilion or playground
• Alcohol permitted at pavilion with reservation of pavilion or during special events
• Alcohol permit no longer required if consumed more than 20 feet away from pavilion or playground

Infrequent but disruptive behavior led to the change.

“There are behaviors – you hear people using vulgar language, we find waste, whether it be cans or bottles,” said Appleton Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities Management Dean Gazza. “Our constituency is pretty good about that [behavior], though.”

Gazza added that people make a habit of congregating, blocking bathrooms and other shared spaces.

This also allows for more clear rules. People previously drank without permits because they didn’t know the rule, according to Appleton Police.

“The permit has not deterred or limited those who choose to drink without a permit,” said Gazza. “Enforcement is challenging.”

Gazza and the Appleton Police Department believe this will allow for better enforcement.

“Most of the time people are just unaware of what the rules are,” said Chief Polly Olson, who said tickets will only be issued to repeat offenders. “Really, [they] just need some education around that.”

The rules could also make the park more family-friendly.

“If people are sitting around a pavilion, sitting on picnic tables, drinking alcohol beverages, there are a lot of kids that are present in those moments,” said Gazza. “They sit at the picnic tables also, we like to just push the – at times – negative behavior.”

Appleton chose to amend their restrictions at a time when other municipalities are taking it further.

“Rather than doing what some of our communities are doing and ban alcohol together,” said Gazza, “we realize that there’s responsible use. But at times there isn’t, and we just want to curb that behavior. Hopefully, this will make it appropriate for everybody.”