PACIFIC BEACH, Calif.—
The battle over the Kate Sessions Park booze ban in Pacific Beach continued with a report filed Monday detailing the recommendations for the ban.The report was filed by Clay Bingham, deputy director of Community Parks Division, and aims to provide a compromise. Input was received from people on both sides of the booze ban issue and included in the report.
If the recommendations are approved, drinking would be banned on weekends and holidays and altogether at the flat area near the children's playground. Drinking would be allowed from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the week but kegs would be banned. Many people who enjoy drinking at the park also support the recommendations.
"I think it's a good idea," said Brandy Ratto enjoying a beer Tuesday with friends at the park. "A lot of families like to come here, and on the weekends I would like to come here and bring my dog, but I know there are so many hooligans running around. It's just not fun."
Videos like the one that circulated on YouTube of partiers on a slip 'n slide at the park along with reports from neighbors of drunks defecating on lawns, fueled the demand to do something about the drinking.
"I came up after the Fourth of July and it was trashed," said Charlynn Somol. "It's sad that it (the ban) has to happen, but it does."
Still some park goers believe the ban goes too far and it's not fair to punish everyone for the mistakes of a few.
"Why would they want to take away a good thing?" asked Garrett McElver. "Just leave it the way it is. There's not a problem."
Others worry though the places to drink are dwindling.
"This is like one of the only places where I can come and hang out and it's like legal," said Patrick Lawler. "We don't cause that much problems and just have a good time. I mean, we're not hurting anyone."
The recommendations will be presented to the City Parks and Recreation Board at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 19th, on the 12th floor of the City Administration Building. There will be public comment. It will then go before council committee and finally on to the full City Council.
