The Boulder Reservoir is a summer staple of the Front Range; catching rays by the beach, boating and swimming make for a memorable reunion. With a recent visitor center renovation and plans for a restaurant called Driftwind at 5565 51st Street, it’s poised to attract even more people.

Boulder Parks and Recreation has renovated the space and plans to extend summer hours into the night, which would include seaside dinner service. Driftwind owner Josh Dinar has some cool ideas for people who enjoy the reservoir, including daytime snacks and drinks from Boulder’s must-see Ruthie’s Boardwalk Social; grilling kits for people using outdoor grilling facilities; floating meal kits so people can enjoy a meal on the water; and the ability to host weddings, quinceañeras and other special events. The restaurant plans to open Memorial Day weekend.

However, a number of neighbors who live near the reservoir have complained that the introduction of a restaurant could threaten their safety, jeopardizing Driftwind’s liquor license approval. Although alcohol consumption is currently permitted at the reservoir, a handful of neighbors are concerned that the opening of Driftwind will result in more drunk drivers. Last summer, protests from neighbors at nonprofit beach dinners led to event cancellations.

Other Boulder parks have dining options that serve alcohol, such as Flagstaff House and Chautauqua Dining Hall – approximately 1.8 million people visit Boulder’s mountain parks each year, and these establishments have become a staple. As with most restaurants, staff serving alcohol must complete TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) certification, which involves in-depth courses in which employees learn responsible serving practices and how to prevent intoxication. The local neighborhood is also concerned about an increase in noise once the restaurant is established.

Alison Rhodes, director of Boulder Parks and Recreation, says similar concerns were shared by people living near Chautauqua Dining Hall, which is why they invested in a sound monitoring system to make sure the noise doesn’t exceed a certain level of decibels. The department installed the same system at Boulder Reservoir in hopes of maintaining peace between park visitors and the neighborhood.

Dinar, which also owns other restaurants including Ash’Kara, River and Woods and Tributary Food Hall, understands the responsibility of serving alcohol. He hopes to organize a carpool network to prevent drunk driving and plans to offer a shuttle bus option in the rare event that a restaurant becomes too drunk to drive.

Rhodes reiterated that alcohol is currently permitted at Boulder Reservoir, and she foresees that a restaurant with trained staff could be a positive part of the renovations.

“That’s exactly why the city wants to have an operator there. Because right now anyone can bring open containers… We are responsible for overserving someone or serving an underage guest and we know that,” Dinar says.

“Boulder Reservoir was originally created to secure a water source for the Front Range and as a place of recreation,” adds Rhodes. “For decades, Boulder Parks and Recreation has maintained the reservoir sustainably. If something seems to be harming the park, we remove the problem,” adding that she believes this restaurant aligns with Parks’ goals and vision. and Recreation.

Driftwind’s liquor license has yet to be approved, and a petition asking Boulder residents to show their support will be open until next week.

“I definitely learned that I’m not cut out to be a politician,” Dinar concludes. “Really all we want to do is run a restaurant and a place where people can gather and have private events. Not a rave, not a nightclub.