Committee backs trial to allow city‑run pop‑up beer gardens in parks; sends ordinance to council on 3–2 vote

The Wausau Public Health & Safety Committee voted 3–2 on April 21 to forward an ordinance change to the Common Council that would permit city staff to operate pop‑up beer gardens or permanent beer‑garden facilities inside city parks on a trial basis through Nov. 1, 2025.

Jamie, representing the Parks Department, told the committee the proposal grew from Parks & Recreation discussions and is modeled on programs in other Wisconsin municipalities that operate periodic or permanent beer gardens to animate parks and generate revenue. Jamie said the state statute permits municipalities to authorize city staff or departments to sell malt beverages on public property if the municipality adopts appropriate authorization.

Supporters said the measure would let staff operate controlled, limited‑hour events (for example, 4–8 p.m. or 5–9 p.m.) with trained servers, wristbands after ID checks and boundaries to prevent alcohol leaving the designated area. The police chief and parks staff proposed a one‑year pilot and an October review to assess public‑safety impacts and operational issues.

Opponents cited community alcohol problems and concerns about optics and competition with private taverns. Several committee members urged outreach to local tavern owners and breweries; a local bar owner, identified as operating a downtown establishment, said a partnership model and negotiated protections for brick‑and‑mortar businesses would be preferred.

The committee added a sunset date of Nov. 1, 2025 and voted 3–2 to send the ordinance to the Common Council with a mixed recommendation. If the council approves, the trial program could operate for the 2025 summer/fall season and return to the committee for evaluation in October.