Kentucky moved a big step closer to having alcohol sales at state parks last week when state lawmakers heard plans to do just that in a meeting of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee. The state has applied for licenses to allow alcohol sales at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg, General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton, and Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Cadiz. The park system will move forward to begin sales in 30 to 60 days unless concerned citizens speak up.
Alcohol use has now become so pervasive in American society that most people — including Christians — may not blink twice at this, even though alcohol is certainly a dangerous and abused drug.
The idea seems to be that since it is “legal,” it must also be “good.” This is certainly not the case, however. Each time we expand the number of places where alcohol is sold, we also expand the potential for damage to individuals and families. (For details on the damage alcohol use causes, click here and check out a fact sheet from the Marin Institute.)
If your state government’s promotion of alcohol sales at our state parks concerns you, please speak up. Politicians can’t hear silence. Share your concern by calling the legislative message line at 1-800-372-7181. If you don’t know who your legislators are, the person who takes your call can help you.
Here’s the release about the legislative hearing from the Legislative Research Commission:
Panel hears plans on alcohol sales at state parks
FRANKFORT — Plans to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages at some state parks were presented to lawmakers during today’s meeting of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
The state has applied for licenses to allow alcohol sales at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg, General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton, and Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Cadiz. Licenses have also been pursued to offer beer sales at the golf courses at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown and John James Audubon Park in Henderson.
All of these parks are in “wet” territories, where local voters have already decided to allow alcohol sales in the community. Secretary Marcheta Sparrow of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet told lawmakers there are no plans to push for alcohol sales at parks in dry areas.
“We believe our state parks can offer alcoholic beverages responsibly to guests while at the same time retaining our family-friendly atmosphere,” she said.
A year-long review of the parks system commissioned in 2009 noted that alcohol sales at some parks could improve meeting bookings, overall volume of business, and support for special events and golf operations, Sparrow said.
When Rep. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, asked for specifics regarding increased revenue expected from alcohol sales at state parks, Sparrow said firm numbers aren’t available yet.
“We don’t have hard and fast projections,” she said. “We have spoken with businesses that have started the sale of alcohol long after they were established and found it can be anywhere from 8 to 25 percent depending on the location. We think we will have a better idea at this time next year to come back and report to you how we have done with that.”
Parks Department Commissioner Gerry van der Meer told lawmakers that all park employees who serve alcoholic beverages will be required to undergo training regarding alcohol regulations. They will receive information about serving responsibly, following the state’s liquor laws, avoiding over-serving, and checking the identification of those ordering alcohol, he said.
“If we have guests at our restaurants who order drinks but no food, the limit will be two drinks,” van der Meer said. “At that point guests will be asked if they want to order food from the menu before more drinks are sold.”
Parks are also preparing to provide adequate security for any alcoholic beverages they stock, van der Meer said.
Parks that serve alcohol will not become local bars, van der Meer said. “Our vision is one of an Applebee’s or an O’Charley’s where one family may have iced tea and another family having a dinner may order beer or wine,” he said.