Toronto approves pilot project allowing alcohol consumption in 27 parks

It’s no secret that many Torontonians covertly sip a cold beer on hot days in Toronto parks. They’ll soon be able to do so without peeking over their shoulders for buzz-killing, ticket-wielding officers.

On Wednesday city council approved a pilot project that permits alcohol consumption at 27 select parks for a two-month trial period.

Council approved the pilot project, which goes into effect on August 2, by a vote of 21-4.

Parks included in the pilot project:

• 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
• McCleary Park, Ward 14 – Toronto-Danforth, 755 Lake Shore Boulevard East
• Oriole Park, Ward 12, Toronto – St. Paul’s, 201 Oriole Parkway
• Hillcrest Park, Ward 12, Toronto – St. Paul’s, 950 Davenport Road
• Cedarvale Park, Ward 12, Toronto – St. Paul’s, 443 Arlington Avenue
• June Rowlands Park, Ward 12, Toronto – St. Paul’s, 220 Davisville Avenue

Scotch sippers will have to keep their spirits indoors, however, as the rules say alcoholic beverages in parks must not exceed 15 per cent alcohol.

Drinking at approved parks will be permitted between 5:30 a.m. and 12 a.m.

Once the two-month period is up, an evaluation will take place 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.

With files from Lucas Casalleto