Elkhart County, IN Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 93.015 of the Elkhart County Code, adopted by Ord. 12-177 on April 16, 2012, states plainly: 'It shall be unlawful for any person to bring any alcoholic beverage into any park or in any park to use, consume, sell, give away or have in his or her possession any alcoholic beverage.' The ban covers the full territorial scope defined at § 93.001(B): every park, facility and body of water under the jurisdiction of the County Park and Recreation Board.

Unlike the rules on fires, pets or camping in the same chapter, § 93.015 carries no permit exception; the Director of the Park Department cannot authorize alcohol the way the ordinance lets the Director authorize a campfire under § 93.017 or an after-hours vehicle under § 93.024. Enforcement falls to deputized park rangers under § 93.999(A)(2), who may issue citations for violations of the Rules Governing the Use by the Public of Park and Recreation Facilities subchapter but, unless separately certified as law enforcement officers under state training standards, cannot arrest, search or carry a firearm. Citations are prepared and prosecuted under I.C. 34-28-5-1(f) and I.C. Ch. 34-28-5. The rule sits alongside § 93.016's weapons ban and § 93.018's wildlife protections in the same 2012 ordinance overhauling park conduct rules countywide.