Wine picnic in the park

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/criminal/specialprojects.shtml

Effective July 1, 2004 individuals who receive a Criminal Court Summons citing a violation of Section 10-125 (2b) of the N.Y.C. Administrative Code- “Consumption of Alcohol on Streets Prohibited” ( also known as “Open Container Violation” or “Consumption of Alcohol in Public”) are eligible to plead guilty and pay a $25 fine by mail. This program is available to persons charged with this petty offense only, and only if no other summonses are issued to the individual at the same time.
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/criminal/specialprojects.shtml

In order to plead guilty by mail you must send the following:

the plea form, completed and signed
the summons you received
check or money order for $25 made payable to NYC Criminal Court (DO NOT SEND CASH) with the summons number written on the payment
The above items must be mailed within 10 days of the date that the summons was issued, to:
N.Y.C. Criminal Court
P.O. Box 555
New York, NY 10013-0555
If you plead guilty by mail, you do not need to appear in Court.

To participate download and complete the form.

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/criminal/specialprojects.shtml


http://law.onecle.com/new-york/new-york-city-administrative-code/ADC010-125_10-125.html

New York City Administrative Code Section 10-125 Consumption of alcohol on streets prohibited - Consumption Of Alcohol On Streets Prohibited.

§ 10-125 Consumption of alcohol on streets prohibited. a. Definitions.
Whenever used in this section, the following terms are defined as
follows:
1. Alcoholic beverage. Any liquid intended for human consumption
containing more than one-half of one percent (.005) of alcohol by
volume.
2. Public place. A place to which the public or a substantial group of
persons has access including, but not limited to, any highway, street,
road, sidewalk, parking area, shopping area, place of amusement,
playground, park or beach located within the city except that the
definition of a public place shall not include those premises duly
licensed for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the
premises or within their own private property. Such public place shall
also include the interior of any stationary motor vehicle which is on
any highway, street, road, parking area, shopping area, playground, park
or beach located within the city.
b. No person shall drink or consume an alcoholic beverage, or possess,
with intent to drink or consume, an open container containing an
alcoholic beverage in any public place except at a block party, feast or
similar function for which a permit has been obtained.
c. Possession of an open container containing an alcoholic beverage by
any person shall create a rebuttable presumption that such person did
intend to consume the contents thereof in violation of this section.
d. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the consumption
of an alcoholic beverage in any duly licensed establishment whose
certificate of occupancy extends upon a street.
e. Any person who shall be found to have violated any of the
provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than
twenty-five dollars ($25) or imprisonment of up to five (5) days, or
both, or pursuant to the provisions of the family court act of the state
of New York where applicable.

http://law.onecle.com/new-york/new-york-city-administrative-code/ADC010-125_10-125.html

I have many a wine/cheese fests in the park over the years and have never had a problem. knock on wood!

There are actually quite a number of cops in the park rolling along the loop and they do sometimes come down some of the paths. So you might want to walk a little further into the meadow away from the roadway/paths.

Also, although I drank out of them all day on the 4th of July, I would avoid using the big red frat party cups. They scream booze.

Otherwise, just be smart. Be discreet, don't make a scene or an overall ass of yourselves and you shouldn't have any problems. And of course, take care of your trash and Have Fun!!