Chesapeake council permits alcohol at permitted park events and raises select parking fees to $25, excludes Dismal Swamp historic village

Chesapeake City Council amended municipal code to allow alcoholic beverage sales at city-authorized and permitted events and to raise select parking fees to a maximum of $25 for some special events. After discussion and a motion to remove the Dismal Swamp historic village from the list of parks where alcohol could be served, council adopted the ordinance as amended and as an emergency by an 8-0 vote.

Councilmembers and speakers debated safeguards, the role of special-event permitting, and the site's historical sensitivity. Dr. Ward and other members argued the Cornell School building and an intended outdoor classroom make the Dismal Swamp village an inappropriate location for alcohol sales at this time, citing the site's educational mission and the presence of children during programming. Elizabeth Goodwin, executive director of the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation, said outdoor space would enable larger fundraisers now limited by small indoor capacity and asked council to preserve the option for permitted fundraising events.

City staff explained that any alcohol sales would still require a special-event permit and compliance with Virginia ABC licensing and security requirements, including approved security plans and off-duty law-enforcement staffing where necessary. Council directed staff that the manager could review permit applications and that individual events would require departmental vetting before authorization.

The final motion explicitly removed the Dismal Swamp historic village from the parks list under the ordinance, while the authorization remains for Heritage Park and the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways Museum. Council also discussed whether to limit the sale to beer and wine and asked staff to examine restrictions on hard liquor for future consideration.