Those heading to Washington Park this summer may have to leave the hooch at home as Denver Parks and Recreation is exploring the possibility of banning alcohol at one of the city’s largest and most popular parks.

Denver Parks and Recreation spokesman Jeff Green said Wednesday the department received a letter from District 7 City Councilman Chris Nevitt asking Parks and Rec to consider an alcohol ban due to abuse and bad behavior at the park.

“We need to affect a profound yet cost-effective change in Washington Park,” Nevitt said in the letter. “I believe that the complete ban of alcohol in Washington Park is that change we must affect. It is simple, straightforward to communicate, and easy to enforce.”

READ: Chris Nevitt’s original Washington Park Alcohol Ban Proposal letter

Currently Denver Parks and Recreation only allows 3.2 beer at any park. Hard alcohol, wine or glass of any kind is not allowed.

Nevitt’s office will host a community meeting along with Denver Parks and Recreation and the West Washington Park Neighborhood Association at 6 p.m. April 9 at the Denver Baha’i Center, 225 E. Bayaud Ave., to discuss the potential ban.

Nevitt did not immediately return a call requesting comment.

“We don’t expect action to come out of this meeting. We’ll be taking comments and consideration,” Green said.

He said the only action Parks and Rec can take is to institute a temporary ban on alcohol that would last 180 days. After that, he said, things would return to normal unless long-term rules were implemented, which would require community meetings, neighborhood outreach and a public hearing.

Complaints at Washington Park consist of poor conduct, litter in the park and surrounding neighborhood, public urination, illegal parking in front of driveways or in alleys, loitering and defecation in alleys, according to the West Washington Park Neighborhood association website promoting the meeting. The posting states the issues are directly attributed to alcohol.

Green said Parks officials hope to gain insights from the community about problems at the park during the meeting. He did note that last summer the park was used more than in recent years.

“If people use last summer as a base, there’s no question we were busier in Wash Park than previous years,” Green said.

Concerned citizens have already taken to social media to express their displeasure with the potential ban and encourage others to attend the meeting to discourage Denver Parks and Recreation from considering a ban.

“As a responsible citizen of Wash Park, I am reaching out in utter disappointment in your support of banning alcohol in Wash Park,” one resident wrote in a letter to Nevitt posted on a Facebook forum about the meeting. “I have promoted this park for many events, including an upcoming Alumni Association summer picnic. Responsible use of alcohol by adults is legal, and banning it is an infringement on my liberties.”

Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joe_vacc