CUMBERLAND — Very soon, people with food or drinks, including “church representatives,” at Riverside Park could face being banned from the area, a city proposal states.
The mayor and City Council on Tuesday received a draft ordinance that aims to prohibit food and beverages from being brought into or consumed at the park, which is home of the George Washington Headquarters cabin.
The site over the years has attracted history buffs and homeless people, each group claiming their rights to the public property.
Religious organizations have taken food to unhoused folks at the park, while tourism advocates have complained of dangerous and dirty conditions surrounding the cabin.
“Maintaining cleanliness at the site is challenging due to waste left behind by individuals consuming food and beverages,” the proposal states.
“The waste, especially food and beverage remnants, is a draw for vermin.”
Any person initially found in possession of food or drinks would be required to remove or dispose of them in a trash receptacle.
Second-time violators will be banned from the park for two months.
“Any person who violates (the ordinance) three or more times shall be banned for one year per violation,” the draft states.
Additionally, “an organization whose members are onsite distributing food and beverages shall be penalized in the same manner as individual violators except that it shall be banned from sending church representatives to the site for any purpose for one year per violation,” it states.
The proposal also contains a “severability” clause.
“If any part of this section is declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining parts shall remain in effect,” the draft states.
The proposal would take effect upon passage.
The preliminary document follows numerous pleas from Peggy Keene, the Daughters of the American Revolution Cresap Chapter regent.
Last month, Keene told City Council that because of filthy conditions that include biohazards and vermin at the park, she’s stalled plans for visitors to the cabin.
Her comments marked the fourth time in roughly eight months she begged city officials to take action.
Cumberland Administrator Jeff Silka on Tuesday called the proposed ordinance a “drastic” measure.
“It’s a nuclear option,” he said and added electricity in the immediate area would also be cut off to stop folks from charging cellphones.
“It’s a congregation of people who choose to be there.”
The plan “is a step in the right direction,” Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss said.
“We’ve tried pretty much everything else,” Cumberland Police Chief Chuck Ternent said.
“It’s gonna be unpopular with a certain group,” Councilman Eugene Frazier said.