The renovated Chester Frost Park includes 280 acres of campsites, boat docks, swimming beach, fishing piers,and a pavilliion on Chickamauga Lake.
Lee Norris
Councilman Greg Beck speaks during a Hamilton County commission meeting.Alcohol sales and consumption may come back to some Hamilton County park areas, at least during approved special events.
Lee Norris, administrator of county general services who recently retired as the administrator of Chattanooga Public Works, included the measure in a suite of park policy and fee changes presented Wednesday to Hamilton County commissioners.
Targeted parks include Chester Frost Park, Enterprise South Nature Park and Tennessee Riverpark.
"Based on my experience on my previous job, I brought up the idea of special event permits to permit the sale of beer and wine with the approval of a special event committee, which has very stringent regulations governing that," Norris said. "The revenue to be generated by the special event permits and stuff would be additional revenue to the county that I anticipate would be collected back into the park system."
Commissioner Greg Beck voiced dismay with the idea.
"I thought these places were set aside for families and decent activities and whatever," Beck said. "What are we talking about here now? Are we moving toward where everybody is getting drunk and carrying guns in park areas? What have we gone down to?"
Norris said the new regulations would not amount to a "freewheeling" invitation for everyone to throw wild parties at the parks.
"We're targeting, specifically, things like high school reunions, wedding receptions or organized special events," he said. "This resolution does not permit the free consumption of wine or beer or anything else at the parks."
Illegal and uncontrolled drinking already occurs at parks, Norris said.
In conjunction with the alcohol sale and consumption allowance, county commissioners will consider whether to authorize the establishment of the Hamilton County Special Events Coordinating Committee, formed only to determine any limitations on the size, location, duration and appropriateness of events that the three parks might host.
The committee, which would include Norris and several park and public safety officials, would require deposits, determine validity of necessary licensing and assess logistical and operational plans for any special event application.
Park policy changes also call for allowing firearms in accordance with state law, Norris said.
Proposed fee changes eliminate Hamilton County resident discounts at the Chester Frost Park campground and significantly increase rental rates for the park's cheapest shelters. Those shelters, which now rent at $29.50 for four hours or $49 for all day, will go to $50 and $85, respectively, if the changes are approved by the County Commission.
Rental rate changes also call for Enterprise South Nature Park's visitor center meeting room to cost less for more time. The facility now rents for $50 an hour with a two-hour minimum. The recommended schedule sets the rate at $100 for four hours or $300 for all day.
The proposal recommends minimal rental fee increases for shelters at the Tennessee Riverpark and allows pets on leashes. Visitors now cannot bring pets.
The Hamilton County Commission meets Wednesday to vote on the park policy changes.
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@times freepress.com. Follow on Twitter @pleach_tfp.