"Beech Grove, so named for the abundance of beech trees, has a population of less than 15,000. The town has five major parks and a trail system. It comes across like the perfect place for summer picnics. But a law against eating watermelon in the park certainly seems out of place. It's also impossible to find on the town's website. There's simply no mention of it in the bylaws."
"The lack of an official ruling might make this seem like it came from one of those quirky lists of laws that circulate online without verification. It seems made-up, and silly, yet plausible enough that no one would check the source. However, even though documentation was hard to find, local news affiliate WRTV asked city officials who confirmed that this was a real law."
"The reason for the ban has been speculated upon but never confirmed, which makes sense since the ban itself can barely be confirmed. In 2015, Indiana Monthly's Hoosierist column, which explores reader questions about Indiana history and lore, tackled the issue. According to the writer, the law was brought about because the rinds were stiff and tended to puncture the trash bags in city parks."
Watermelon is a classic summer picnic food, yet Beech Grove, Indiana, reportedly has a law banning watermelon consumption in public parks. Beech Grove has fewer than 15,000 residents, five major parks, and a trail system, but the supposed ban does not appear in official bylaws or on the town website. Local news officials confirmed the law despite sparse documentation. The ban has been linked to concerns that stiff watermelon rinds puncture park trash bags, increasing cleanup burdens for city workers, and the ordinance appears aimed at preventing additional litter and maintenance problems.
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