Let's stop and talk this over (05/06/06)

Is it appropriate for alcohol to be consumed by fans at Portland Junior League baseball games in city parks? We don’t think so.

Should alcohol consumption be banned entirely from Portland’s parks? We don’t think that makes sense either.

Attitudes toward public consumption of alcohol differ widely depending upon the circumstance, the community, and the local culture. Anyone who has ever attended a parade in Fort Recovery could tell you that.

In Ohio, having a cooler of cold beer at curbside during a parade isn’t an oddity, it’s part of the tradition.

But 11 miles west, the same behavior would raise plenty of eyebrows at a parade in downtown Portland.

In the case of the city’s parks, it’s more a matter of the activities involved rather than the location.

If we’re talking about youth events — the summer swim team and Junior League baseball and softball, for instance — then alcohol consumption ought to be out of bounds.

If we’re talking about a Portland Rockets baseball game or the Stan Musial League tournament hosted locally, that’s another matter entirely.

Rather than an outright ban, doesn’t it make sense to allow organizations using the parks to set their own rules? Why not encourage Portland Junior League and the summer swim program to post notices that alcohol is not allowed when those youth activities are under way?

Rowdy and inappropriate behavior as a result of alcohol is already covered by existing laws on public intoxication. It makes little sense to enact a blanket prohibition with a city ordinance. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]