Lacey City Council OKs alcohol sales at 3 parks

The Lacey City Council decided Thursday to make an alcohol sales policy permanent, following a two-year trial period that allowed alcohol to be sold at two local parks during community events.

Not only did council members make the policy permanent, they also expanded it to a third park: Woodland Creek Community Park.

Two years ago, the council agreed to try out the alcohol sales idea, allowing Hawks Prairie Rotary to sell alcohol at its Mushroom Festival at the Regional Athletic Complex, and the Lacey South Sound Chamber of Commerce to do the same at its BBQ Festival at Huntamer Park. Both events take place in the summer.

The trial was successful, according to the city, noting that “no law enforcement, traffic, or park maintenance concerns were cited with the policy.”

There was no discussion Thursday about whether the two service clubs had made more money because they could sell alcohol, although that was the expectation among council members.

“Nonprofits put more money back into our community because of the money earned at these events,” Councilman Lenny Greenstein said. “I’m very supportive of this.”

Councilman Michael Steadman added that service clubs often fill community spending gaps that can’t be filled by the city.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 6:02 AM with the headline "Lacey City Council OKs alcohol sales at 3 parks."