Commissioners rule on alcohol in parks
May 22—GREENSBURG — The creation of a DORA (Designed Outdoor Refreshment Area) may have suffered a setback.
Chad Smith, who serves as the attorney for the Decatur County Commissioners, on Monday shared with the county leaders an ordinance he drafted regarding the transportation and consumption of alcohol in county-owned parks.
In previous meetings, it was established that although there are no ordinances on the books governing alcohol consumption in the parks there has long been an informal policy prohibiting such a practice.
The Commissioners recently asked Smith to draw up an ordinance that would codify the Commissioners' wishes.
The resulting ordinance specifies that alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all park and recreational properties owned or controlled by the Decatur County Commissioners unless an exception to the prohibition was requested and granted.
Vendors wishing to sell alcohol on those properties must request written permission from the Commissioners.
In keeping with the proposed ordinance, violation of the ordinance is punishable by up to 180 days in Decatur County Jail with a fine of $1,000.
The Daily News previously reported that Greensburg Mayor Joshua Marsh addressed the DORA at the April 15 meeting of the Decatur County Parks and Recreation Board.
Mayor Marsh was quoted as saying, "There's this misconception that it provides a blank check for open containers. That's completely inaccurate. In Indiana, I can go open a beer and walk down the sidewalk. That is 100% legal. What [DORA] does is, it's an established area," where a customer may purchase a limited number of beverages.
Marsh provided an example: "State law says that a vendor — either permanent or temporary — cannot sell you, individually, more than two 16 ounce beers or two 10 ounce wines or two mixed drinks at a time. I could go to the tAAp, I could buy two 16 ounce beers, but that's it. In theory, I could walk all the way to Rebekah Park. They have to be in a DORA-approved vessel which at this time is a 16 ounce clear Solo cup with the logo on it. That way, it is traceable, if you will."
Marsh went on to say the DORA is designed primarily for events such as the Summer Concert Series, which has a beer garden and requires a temporary permit for vendors.
"It just provides the option that it can go anywhere versus inside the rope. I can't take a six pack and carry it out to Rebekah Park. It's not just an open container thing, because we already have that," he said.
As was previously reported by the Daily News, the DORA district includes the following stipulations:
The DORA is for persons 21 years of age and older.
The DORA can be utilized from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday.
DORA beverages must be served in the DORA-approved cup.
Approved vendors may purchase cups from Game Plan Graphics by calling (812) 663-3238.
Businesses participating in the DORA designation will mark themselves with a special sticker signifying participation.
Patrons may not carry DORA beverages into another establishment that serves alcoholic beverages.
DORA beverages must remain within the DORA boundary.
Glass containers with alcohol in them are not permitted within the DORA boundary.
The new proposed ordinance must be the subject of at least two readings in a public forum and be approved at both to be declared a law. The second reading is expected to take place at the Commissioners' next meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, June 3, in Room 106 of the Decatur County Courthouse.
Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-651-0876 or bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com.
