North Huntingdon may allow beer and wine at township park pavilions if renters pay for an alcohol permit and provide proof of liability insurance.
The township will draft an ordinance to set criteria and requirements for those interested in obtaining a permit, said Jeff Silka, township manager. The board of commissioners would have to approve the ordinance.
Dan Miller, township parks and recreation director, could not be reached for comment.
Commissioner Brian Blasko, who proposed selling the permits as a way of generating revenue for the parks department, said neighboring municipalities permit alcohol in their parks. Some charge a fee for the permit and others do not, Blasko said.
Murrysville’s permit to provide alcohol at some of its facilities costs $50, Silka said. Murrysville also requires those seeking a permit to make a $350 security deposit for providing alcohol at its Community Center and Townsend and Sardis parks.
Jim Morrison, Murrysville’s chief administrator, said the policy has been in effect for about five or six years.
“We’ve never had any issue with it,” Morrison said.
Alcohol initially was only allowed in Townsend Park, then was expanded to include Sardis and Murrysville Community parks, Morrison said.
No glass containers would be allowed, nor would hard liquor, Silka said.
Murrysville’s policy prohibits providing alcohol at graduations parties.
The municipality can withhold all or part of the security deposit for any violation or if the police chief or public works director or recreation director recommends it. The security deposit could be used for pavilion cleanup if warranted.
“It has teeth, but it’s not a deterrent,” Silka said.
Blasko said he believes alcohol should be limited to the area around a pavilion and drinking should not be allowed at the playgrounds.
Commissioner Jason Atwood said he was concerned that it would necessitate more responsibility for township police to patrol the parks.
“I feel, once alcohol gets introduced in a setting, things go downhill,” Atwood said, adding that he believes it could make the parks unsafe for children.
Atwood questioned whether someone seeking an alcohol permit should have at least a certain amount of liability insurance.
Commissioner Ronald Zona said a hold-harmless policy should be required. If a problem occurs with someone consuming alcohol at the park, “that’s on them (permit holder),” he said.
Commissioner Zachary Haigis agreed.
“If they don’t have enough liability (insurance), that’s on them,” Haigis said.
