This is the question that the TLNA Council, Alder Barbara Vedder and a number of neighborhood members are attempting to address. The matter was brought forward at the July meeting of the TLNA Council. Concerns about excessive drinking by groups of people using the park, instances of harassment and violence, and the conditions of the park areas where the excessive drinking is occurring were discussed.

During the discussion, Alder Vedder stated that she had been made aware of the reported problems and was having a survey prepared and distributed by Capt. George Silverwood of the Madison Police to nearby neighbors of the park to solicit their input on the matter. Tim Olsen, TLNA Council Transportation Chair, mentioned that he had been to the park a number of times recently to observe conditions and to informally poll people using the park regarding their feelings on the apparent alcohol related problems. "Among those people who I have talked to about the possibility of banning alcohol from the park, it was running about 4 to 1 in favor of a ban. They're concerned about what's going on", he said.

On Tuesday 11 August, a meeting at the Tenney Apartments Community Room was convened by Alder Vedder to discuss the neighborhood concerns. In attendance with Alder Vedder were Capt. Silverwood , John Sundby of the Parks Dept., and approximately 20 neighborhood residents. Alder Vedder opened the meeting and talked about the purpose of the meeting. She then called on Capt. Silverwood to speak about the survey (See sidebar for survey results). Capt. Silverwood discussed some of the results that he received: 106 returns out of 300+ surveys sent out to adjacent residences, 75% favoring an alcohol ban except with a permit. He also talked about the what the police have done about instances of disruptive behavior in the park, particularly those that have resulted in police calls. Alder Vedder then solicited responses from people about the conditions in the park. Numerous speakers expressed concerns for safety, physical conditions of the shelter and toilet areas, and the feeling of being denied use of the park due to the behavior of others. Two people in attendance voiced their reservations about losing personal freedoms in an attempt to address the disruptive behavior through the use of an alcohol ban. In response to a question about an alcohol ban for Tenney Park, John Sunby talked about how alcohol bans were used to address similar problems in James Madison and Brittingham Parks. The meeting ended with Alder Vedder thanking those in attendance for their input and reminding them of the Parks Commission meeting scheduled for the next night where the matter will again be discussed.

The following evening, at the August Parks Commission meeting at Olbrich Gardens, members of the neighborhood were in attendance to show support for an alcohol ban for Tenney Park. Two people spoke to the Commission in favor of the ban and two others registered their support. Alder Vedder, who also appeared before the Commission, stated that she could support an alcohol ban with a sunset provision provided the action was tied to the formation of a task force to study if the ban would only "move the problem from location to location and not really solve the problem." The Commission agreed to hold a place the matter on the agenda for their September meeting and hold a public hearing. Tim Olsen, a neighborhood council member who was at the meeting, urged neighborhood residents to attend the meeting to voice their feelings on the matter. The September meeting will be 9 September at 7:30 PM at Olbrich Gardens.

On Thursday 20 August, the Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the conditions in Tenney Park. The TLNA Council invited Capt. George Silverwood of the Madison Police Dept. and John Sundby of the Madison Parks Dept. to attend the meeting to offer their insights and answer questions from the council. After listening to Capt. Silverwood talk about the alcohol related problems and how those problems have been dealt with by the police and John Sundby describe how the Parks Dept. used the alcohol ban in other parks to address problems similar to those occurring in Tenney Park, the council met among themselves to discuss options for them to take. After allowing each council member present a chance to voice his/her feelings on the subject of alcohol related problems in the park, a motion was made and seconded that would have the TLNA Council ask of the Madison Common Council that "an ordinance be implemented banning alcohol except by permit from Tenney Park, Burr Jones Park, Filene Park and along the Yahara River Parkway within the Second Common Council District." The mothion was passed by all in attendance and a committee was formed to work with city staff to draw up the ordinance.

Tenney Park Survey - Summer, 1998

1)How often do you use Tenney Park?
Weekly (70), Occasionally (21), Rarely/Never (14)

2. How comfortable do you feel using the parking during the day and early evening hours?
Comfortable (40), Somewhat comfortable (44), Not comfortable (10)

3. Have you observed or are you aware of incidents of alcohol use that you do not feel are appropriate for Tenney Park?
Yes (74), No (29)

4. Would you support a ban on the use of alcohol in Tenney Park except when permits are granted?
Yes (87), No (17), Total ban (2), Undecided/Other (6)

The survey results reflect the 106 survey responses out of the original 300 sent to residences within a one block distance from Tenney Park.

-David Mandehr


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