Gilbert, AZ Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 46-38(a) opens with a default rule that applies everywhere else in the park system: no person shall possess or consume alcoholic beverages within town recreation facilities or riparian preserves. The exceptions are narrow and venue-specific. Subsection (a)(1) allows consumption at the named facilities, McQueen Park Activity Center, Gilbert Community Center, Southeast Regional Library, Freestone Recreation Center, special event areas, the Big League Dreams Sports Complex at Elliot Park, the AZ Ice Facility at Crossroads District Park, the Riparian Preserve, and the University Building, only under an agreement between the town and a concessionaire, contractor, licensee or lessee, consistent with state liquor law.

Subsection (a)(2) adds that full alcohol sale and consumption can be permitted at the same venues in conjunction with a state special-event liquor license, a special event permit, or an event authorized by the parks and recreation director or town council; requests to sell alcohol must go to the town council for approval, while requests to consume only prepackaged beer or wine go to the parks and recreation director. A director-issued beer-and-wine permit must name a responsible party who stays on site the entire time alcohol is being consumed, and the permit states that any violation of its terms, park rules, town ordinances or state law voids it, reinstating the town-wide default ban immediately.