22 Toronto parks in proposed pilot program allowing alcohol consumption. Here’s the list

Toronto’s Economic and Community Development Committee has proposed a time-limited pilot program to city council that will allow the public consumption of alcohol in 22 parks into the fall.

The committee met to discuss the pilot program on Thursday. City council is considering the plan that would see alcohol permitted in parks in designated wards across the city from August 2 to October 9.

The pilot program will be considered by city council on July 19, 2023.

Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program – parks included:

• Eglinton Park, Ward 8 – Eglinton-Lawrence
• Earlscourt, Ward 9 – Davenport
• Dufferin Grove Park, Ward 9 – Davenport
• Campbell Avenue Playground and Park, Ward 9 – Davenport
• Dovercourt Park, Ward 9 – Davenport
• Roundhouse Park, Ward 10 – Spadina-Fort York
• Trinity Bellwoods Park, Ward 10 – Spadina-Fort York
• Christie Pits Park, Ward 11 – University-Rosedale
• Queen’s Park (110 Wellesley St W), Ward 11 – University-Rosedale
• Sir Winston Churchill Park, Ward 12 – Toronto-St. Paul’s
• Corktown Common, Ward 13 – Toronto Centre
• Greenwood Park, Ward 14 – Toronto-Danforth
• Riverdale Park East, Ward 14 – Toronto-Danforth
• Withrow Park, Ward 14 – Toronto-Danforth
• Monarch Park, Ward 14 – Toronto-Danforth
• Skymark Park, Ward 17 – Don Valley North
• Lee Lifeson Art Park, Ward 18 – Willowdale
• East Toronto Athletic Field, Ward 19 – Beaches-East York
• Milliken Park, Ward 23 – Scarborough North
• Neilson Park – Scarborough, Ward 25 – Scarborough-Rouge Park
• Underpass Park, Ward 13 – Toronto Centre, 29 Lower River Street
• Morningside Park, Ward 24 – Scarborough-Guildwood, 390 Morningside Avenue

Two additional parks were added to the original 20. They are Morningside Park in Scarborough and Underpass Park in Corktown.

Toronto residents will be allowed to consume alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, cider and ready-mixed cocktails, that do not exceed 15 per cent alcohol by volume between 5:30 a.m. and 12 a.m.

The city noted that all parks proposed for inclusion in the pilot program were confirmed by a local councillor. The time-limited pilot will be evaluated “to assess the impacts to park visitors and the surrounding community.”

The report will also include advice from Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health on any harm reduction, treatment or education programs to be in place prior to the approval and implementation of the pilot.

Last May, city councillor and Toronto mayoral candidate Josh Matlow proposed allowing people to drink beer and wine with an alcohol content below 15 per cent in parks and beaches with bathrooms.

However, councillors opted to defer the issue until 2023 after former Toronto Mayor John Tory called on city staff to study the issue further.