No alcohol in Polson parks without a permit
Berl Tiskus
Alcohol cannot be taken into any park in Polson without a permit, including Sacajawea Park.
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POLSON — Ordinance No. 664 went into effect on July 17, and it bans alcohol in all of Polson’s city parks without a permit. Individuals or groups can purchase a permit for alcohol in the parks for $40 for one use, such as a wedding or a get together at one of the shelters. Groups, such as a league softball team, can purchase a year’s permit for $100.
That means if you want to meet friends for pizza and beer at Boettcher Park, you need to go to the Polson City Hall, fill out the permit form, pay the fee and keep the permit on you while you’re in the park.
The ordinance came about because the Polson Parks Department and the Polson Police Department were spending too much time dealing with drunks in the park.
“We want to get the parks back to family oriented areas,” said Karen Sargeant, interim Polson city manager.
Families don’t want to come to Riverside Park or Sacajawea Park, Sargeant said, and be bothered by people who drink and become obnoxious.”
Since the Polson Parks Department spends a lot of time cleaning up the parks and recently revamped the playground at Riverside, Boettcher and Salish Point parks, they want people to enjoy the beautiful venues.
“We want the families to come back,” Sargeant explained, “and picnic and swim.”
Polson Police Chief Wade Nash said the police department supports the ordinance “110 percent.”
Tribal Law Enforcement sent the ordinance through the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal legal staff and also will enforce the ordinance, although it will be an arrestable offense for tribal members within the city limits of Polson.
The PPD will be educating the public instead of enforcing the ordinance for a while, while local people and visitors grow accustomed to the new law.
