The St. Clair County Board has tabled a proposal to ban all pets and alcohol from St. Ellen Park in O'Fallon.

Residents commonly use the 85-acre park to walk their dogs along a 1.2-mile walking path and half-mile bike trail near Joseph Arthur Middle School in O'Fallon. Support animals, such as guide dogs for the blind, would still be allowed within the park.

The new rules would also make it unlawful to possess any alcoholic beverages, including beer, and require guardians to accompany anyone 15 years old or younger visiting the park.

The proposal would also have banned all boats from a small lake within the park. A ramp currently allows fishermen onto the lake, and boats are allowed as long as the motors are not larger than a trolling motor.

Board members voted to send the proposed rules back to committee for further review during a meeting Monday night. Similar rules are in effect at the county's other parks, including Foley Park near Smithton and Silver Creek Preserve near Mascoutah.

The new rules were considered after the county took control of the park from the city of O'Fallon. The city did not have the previously mentioned bans, and still works with the county to maintain the park.

In other news, the board approved spending $146,500 to purchase seven police vehicles for the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department. The vehicles are all 2013 Chevrolet Impalas and will be purchased from Green Chevrolet in Jacksonville.

Contact reporter Daniel Kelley at dkelley@bnd.com or 618-239-2501.