PHOENIX — People are being encouraged to enjoy some beer, wine and food from their favorite downtown Chandler restaurants while at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park as the “Dine in the Park” initiative kicks off to help local businesses amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Starting at noon on Friday, people who carry out meals from downtown Chandler restaurants can dine in the park from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday-Sunday.

A list of restaurants and menus can be found here.

Starting this Friday, May 22, you may take your carryout order from your favorite #DowntownChandler eatery, add beer or wine to go, and enjoy your meal and beverage at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park. 🍻🍷 Bring a blanket & get a spot under shade! https://t.co/xmXJOZAXhM #iChooseChandler pic.twitter.com/1ck6eQHjXU

— City of Chandler, AZ (@cityofchandler) May 21, 2020

“This initiative was created as a way to provide additional capacity for local restaurants as they adapt to restrictions imposed due to COVID-19,” Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said in a press release.

Beer and wine are the only alcoholic beverages that can be enjoyed in the park, with boundaries being from Boston to Buffalo streets along Arizona Avenue and within the Courtyard at the corner of San Marcos Place and Commonwealth Avenue.

Glass containers are prohibited and people dining in the park must maintain social distancing.

Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order to allow take-out and delivery of alcoholic beverages made the initiative possible, along with the city of Chandler designating a portion of the park as a public recreation area.

The state’s stay-at-home order expired last week as Arizona moved into the first phase of reopening, allowing dine-in service to resume with social distancing procedures in place after more than a month of take-out or drive-thru only to halt the spread of the virus.

It is expected the initiative will end once controls for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages resume.

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