Toronto councillors vote to make program that allowed alcohol drinking in several parks permanent

Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com Journalist

Published Thursday, April 18, 2024 5:37PM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, April 18, 2024 5:48PM EDT

A sign at Trinity Bellwoods Park advising residents that it is part of the Alcohol in Parks pilot program.

Torontonians will be able to crack a cold one in several public parks – permanently.

On Thursday, a majority of councillors voted to keep the pilot program that allowed people aged 19 and older to drink alcoholic beverages after a staff report found that it "was implemented with a high level of satisfaction among park visitors, few issues arising, and minimal operational impacts."

Staff said 92 per cent of those who visited a pilot park and were surveyed said they were satisfied during their visit, 90 per cent felt safe, and 88 per cent said people who chose to drink at the park were considerate.

The pilot initially ran from Aug. 2 to Oct. 9. It was later extended until the end of last month.

"Responsible adults can enjoy a beer or a glass of wine at a picnic in our beautiful parks. Toronto is the first municipality to introduce a program of this kind since the Province of Ontario authorized municipalities to designate public spaces for personal alcohol consumption in 2019," Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement.

"We are taking a strategic and measured approach to implementing this program throughout the city and are drawing from the experiences of other Canadian municipalities."

In the report, staff also shared that people who experienced the program were more supportive of maintaining or expanding it. A public opinion survey they conducted found that 46 per cent of residents supported allowing drinking in parks, 23 per cent were neutral, and 30 per cent opposed.

Given the positive feedback, staff suggested that council approve transitioning the 27 participating pilot parks to permanent locations where alcohol drinking is permitted.

During Thursday's meeting, several councillors put forward motions to add some parks in their wards to the program. All their motions were approved.

On the other hand, five councillors submitted motions ordering city staff that no parks in their wards be designated for alcohol consumption. Their motions were defeated.

In their report, staff recommended that each ward has a park allowed for alcohol consumption, which meets the approved criteria and is supported by the local councillor. Most pilot locations were in downtown Toronto, while a few were in North York and Scarborough. No parks in Etobicoke opted into the program.

Staff said that if the program becomes permanent, they will "continue to monitor implementation and provide ongoing updates to local Councillors regarding issues arising in parks where alcohol consumption is allowed."

Here is a list of the 27 pilot parks that will permanently allow alcohol consumption: