PARK COMMISSION URGES ALCOHOL BAN IN SOME CITY PARKS

The Recreation and Park Commission sent a proposal prohibiting drinking in
certain city parks, including areas in Golden Gate Park, to the Board of
Supervisors.

If passed by the supervisors, the alcohol ordinance would amend an already
existing San Francisco Park code -- which prohibits disorderly conduct --
to prohibit alcohol in the designated parks.

The proposal adopted Thursday is designed to keep chronic alcoholics and
drunken youth out of parks.

Alcohol consumption is already outlawed in park buildings, children's
playgrounds, swimming pools and restrooms, according to a 1981 park code,
said Mark Slavin of the city attorney's office.

Becky G. Ballinger, public information officer for the parks, said a police
ordinance addresses drinking on sidewalks and streets, but not parks.

An 11-year resident of the area, Eileen Hoyt, opposed the move, saying she
liked to picnic at Golden Gate Park and occasionally wanted to have wine
with her food.

" "A jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou,' doesn't have the same ring
when it's changed to a Diet Coke," Hoyt told commissioners. Hoyt, who
called a prohibition of alcohol in parks unfair, said she had planned to
have her wedding at Golden Gate Park. Now, she said, she is uncertain.

Hoyt accused the commission of aiming the proposed ordinance at the
homeless. "It's an effort to subjugate the homeless. They already have
enough problems. They don't need any more," Hoyt said.

John Denlinger, who said he makes his home in Golden Gate Park and has the
right to have a beer now and then at home, agreed.

"It's sheer hypocrisy. It's obvious that the police is trying to make the
homeless leave their homes in these parks," he said. "Police have a strong
bias against homeless people, and this is just them joining Rec and Parks
to go after the homeless."

San Francisco Park Station Police Capt. John Newlin denied the proposal is
an attack on the homeless. City police met with different groups, including
the homeless, to discuss park problems, he said.

"This ordinance was not created in a vacuum between Rec and Park and
police," Newlin said. "The last Tuesday of each month we meet with
community groups, and the meetings have been attended regularly by homeless
people." Erneistine Weiss, who has lived in The City for 12 years, said she
agreed with the proposal, arguing it will stop loud, offensive behavior at
parks. She said drunk, disorderly people are destroying city parks.

1998 San Francisco Examiner

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski