Union, NY Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 148-20 of the Town of Union Code, part of the Chapter 148 park rules, is a flat prohibition rather than a permit scheme. It has two sentences. The first says that in parks or on other public lands no person can offer for sale, or be under the disturbing influence of, any beer, wine, liquor or other intoxicating beverage or any illegal substance, drug, stimulant, depressant or hallucinating agent. The second says no person can possess, consume or use any beer, wine, liquor or any illegal substance, drug, stimulant, depressant or hallucinating agent within any parks or on other public lands.

The text contains no exception for a sealed container, a picnic, a pavilion rental or a special event, so possession alone is covered along with drinking. Because the rule names "other public lands" as well as parks, it reaches Town of Union public land outside the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City beyond the park boundary. A park under this chapter means land or structures owned or controlled by the Town and administered by its Parks and Recreation Department.

Section 148-10(C) separately bars selling any article or service in the park without a written permit from the Commissioner, and § 148-17(B) bars glass bottles and metal cans in swimming areas. Section 148-25 gives the Commissioner, park rangers and other designated agents, plus local, county or state police, authority to enforce the rules and to issue appearance tickets. The Commissioner is the Deputy Commissioner of Public Works for Parks or his authorized personnel.