Waco, TX Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

City Code § 17-11 makes it unlawful to possess an alcoholic beverage in a public neighborhood or community park within Waco's corporate limits, unless a special-event permit covers that park. J. Guthrie Park, Oakwood Park, North Waco Park, Mitchell Park, Alta Vista Park, Kendrick Park, Gurley Park, Mountainview Park, Crestview Park, Council Acres Park, the playground area of Cotton Palace Park, Buena Vista Park, Brooklyn Park, Bell's Hill Park, Jaycee Park, Chapel Park, Viking Hills Park, Bledsoe-Miller Park, Oscar DuConge Park, Dewey Park and South Waco Park.

It does not extend to Waco's larger or regional parks, such as Cameron Park, Fort Fisher or Brazos Park East, which sit outside this list. The city posts signs in the covered parks stating alcohol is prohibited, and anyone caught with a beverage there must leave once told to by a city employee or agent. Section 17-11(e) expressly states a violation carries no penal punishment under the Code, meaning enforcement runs through the ejection-on-notice mechanism in subsection (d) rather than a citation or fine. The special events committee can override the ban for a specific park by permit, allowing alcohol at an approved parade, street activity or other special event held there.

This section traces to Ord. No. 2004-0072 (adopted February 3, 2004) and was amended by Ord. No. 2014-337 (June 17, 2014). Separately, § 17-4 bars selling alcohol in any city park without special events committee approval and compliance with state alcohol law, but that sales rule is distinct from the possession ban in § 17-11.