GRAPEVINE — The sign in the park says "Public Consumption of Alcohol Prohibited," but Casey Gibbs admits to enjoying a beer at Grapevine Lake from time to time.
"As long as you're not drinking and driving and endangering everyone around you, I don't have anything wrong with that," Gibbs said.
And, as it turns out, a Grapevine municipal judge backs him up.
About a year ago, a man fought a ticket he got for drinking at a Grapevine Lake Park. While a city ordinance bans drinking in city parks, the judge pointed out there's another ordinance that makes an exception for the lakeside parks.
"The municipal court declined to prosecute those citations," said Grapevine police spokesman Lt. Todd Dearing.
As of Wednesday — despite the signs saying otherwise — it's Grapevine police policy to follow the judge's ruling. Drinking is allowed at the lake as long as you're not around the sidewalks, parking lots or boat ramps.
"For the most part, people are very responsible and very well-behaved. We have very few problems — even on these big weekends," Dearing said. "I can't remember the last time we had a major incident out at the lake."
Grapevine police point out that you can, of course, still be arrested for getting drunk and out of hand, or for drinking and driving, or for underage drinking.
E-mail chawes@wfaa.com
