GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY — Traverse City Law enforcement will soon be enforcing an ordinance making changes to the consumption of alcohol in public.
The new ordinance prohibits alcohol consumption on public rights of way, public sidewalks, public parking lots, and public parking structures.
In the ordinance that was passed Tuesday night, city commissioners approved the ordinance that also restricts alcohol consumption in certain parks, including Clinch Park Beach, Hull Park, Grand Traverse Commons, Veterans Memorial Park and Meijer’s Silverbrook Acres.
Traverse City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht tells us “The rights of way that are covered under this new section of the ordinance are sidewalks, right of way, and then public parking lots and, parking structures. So those won’t be signed, but you should just know that anywhere where you could, receive a ticket for parking for too long from the city, you can now, count on that you shouldn’t be drinking alcohol there. ”
The ban is in effect unless there is an authorized by a permit from the City, in designated parks with signs posted at within or at the perimeter of the area where the ban is in effect.
First time offenders will face a $50 fine.
The ordinance takes effect eight days after it is passed.