Memorial Day first big test of park drinking law

Listen close, and you may be able to hear the pop-tops and twist-offs opening up already.

That's because this Memorial Day weekend is the first major holiday when drinking will be allowed in all state parks, state historical parks and state recreation areas -- except for Lake McConaughy near Ogallala and state wildlife management areas.

After a 15-year hiatus, drinking has actually been allowed since Jan. 1, but it's been a cool, wet spring and parks have not been used that heavily so far.

In hindsight, it would have been better just to ban drinking at Big Mac, where out-of-control partying that finally resulted in the death of a camper, caused the ban in the first place. Under the new law, that action can still be taken at any park where drinking becomes a problem.

It is also still unlawful to drink in swimming areas, on roads, in parking lots and certain other marked areas, to bring alcohol in containers larger than a gallon, or to drink between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., or in boats or cars.

We're not naive enough to think there hasn't been drinking in state parks all along, but it's nice to think responsible campers can enjoy a beer or glass of wine with their steaks or burgers with a clear conscience.