Drinking alcohol now allowed at some Toronto parks: Here’s the full list and guidelines

After years of debate at Toronto city hall, a pilot project allowing for the consumption of alcohol at certain parks will begin on Wednesday.

Residents will be able to consume alcoholic beverages at 27 different parks, including popular destinations such as Trinity-Bellwoods Park, Christie Pits and Riverdale Park East, across Toronto, until Oct. 9 while adhering to criteria under the pilot project.

Of the locations recommended by City of Toronto staff, parks with washrooms, water fountains and public transit access were chosen. Also, none of the recommended locations were beside schools or right on the waterfront.

While this has been allowed in other jurisdictions in Canada and around the world, the issue has been the subject of ongoing debates at Toronto city hall. But in July, the concept was given a go-ahead by Toronto city council on a trial basis. The new program came a few years after the Ontario government gave the municipality the ability to allow this.

There are several rules residents must abide by under the pilot project.

Alcoholic drinks must be consumed on park property, and it can only occur between 5:30 a.m. and midnight. People drinking those beverages must stay two metres away from playgrounds, wading pools, splash pads and skateboard parks. If there’s an outdoor pool at one of the parks, alcohol can’t be consumed within the pool’s gates.

Residents were reminded that alcoholic beverages can’t be served to, or consumed by, anyone below 19 years old.

Lastly, people were encouraged to recycle the empties at the park or at home. If there are overflowing bins with empties or other materials, residents were asked to call 311.

As for enforcement, City of Toronto officials said bylaw officers will be on regular patrol at the parks involved. They’ll also be on the lookout for rowdy behaviour as well as public intoxication and urination.

RELATED: Toronto approves pilot project allowing alcohol consumption in 27 parks

Coun. Jamaal Myers, who represents Ward 23 Scarborough North, endorsed having Milliken Park in his community included in the pilot project.

“This is a way for people that can drink alcohol in the parks responsibly and safely. They’re already doing that, and this is just a way of making sure there’s a way to do that in a proper format,” he told CityNews on Tuesday.

Myers noted he lived in New York City and London, England and said this is a common practice in those cities, adding it’s “better late than never” when it comes to implementing this program in Toronto in 2023.

He said he hopes the pilot project will result in more people using parks.

“I’m going to be looking to see if there are increased complaints around litter, public drunkenness, maybe the cleanliness of the toilets. I’m also going to check out some of the local restaurants nearby to see if they’ve seen any positive or negative effects on their local businesses,” Myers added.

Meanwhile, city staff will report back to Toronto city council on the findings once the pilot project is done. It’s not known if the program will return, be expanded, or shut down.

“I just want people to be able to responsibly and safely enjoy a drink in any park they choose so long as they aren’t causing a nuisance,” Myers said when asked about his hopes for after the program ends in October.

Full list of parks included in pilot project

• Eglinton Park (200 Eglinton Ave. W.)
• Earlscourt Park (1200 Lansdowne Ave.)
• Dufferin Grove Park (875 Dufferin St.)
• Campbell Avenue Playground and Park (225 Campbell Ave.)
• Dovercourt Park (155 Bartlett Ave.)
• Roundhouse Park (255 Bremner Blvd.)
• Trinity Bellwoods Park (790 Queen St. W.)
• Christie Pits Park (750 Bloor St. W.)
• Queen’s Park (110 Wellesley St. W.)
• Sir Winston Churchill Park (301 St. Clair Ave. W.)
• Corktown Common (155 Bayview Ave.)
• Greenwood Park (150 Greenwood Ave.)
• Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview Ave.)
• Withrow Park (725 Logan Ave.)
• Monarch Park (115 Feldstead Ave.)
• Skymark Park (3500 Don Mills Ave.)
• Lee Lifeson Art Park (45 Princess Ave.)
• East Toronto Athletic Field (175 Main St.)
• Milliken Park (5555 Steeles Ave. E.)
• Neilson Park (1555 Neilson Rd., Scarborough)
• Underpass Park (33 St. Lawrence St.)
• Morningside Park (390 Morningside Ave.)
• Cedarvale Park (443 Arlington Ave.)
• Hillcrest Park (950 Davenport Rd.)
• June Rowlands Park (220 Davisville Ave.)
• McCleary Park (755 Lake Shore Blvd. E.)
• Oriole Park (201 Oriole Parkway)

Click here to learn more about the City of Toronto alcohol in parks pilot project and the guidelines of it.