Toronto council extends alcohol in parks pilot until next March
Posted October 12, 2023 5:21 pm.
City council has voted to extend a pilot project allowing residents to drink alcohol in certain public parks until at least next March.
On Thursday, council adopted a motion put forth by Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth councillor Paula Fletcher to extend the program from Oct. 9, 2023 until March 31, 2024.
The motion passed by a vote of 17-3 with councillors Jon Burnside, Vincent Crisanti, and Stephen Holyday voting against extending the pilot program.
The motion allows councillors whose parks were part of the initial pilot to opt-out if they do not wish to participate during the extended period over the winter months. As well, an updated list of participating parks and any additional restrictions will be announced when council meets again in November.
“With five of these parks are in my ward, I have closely monitored the feedback that residents have shared with my office,” Fletcher said as part of the motion. “Residents have expressed their appreciation for the pilot program as they have enjoyed the ability to have a drink with their family and friends.”
Following a two-month trial allowing consumption of alcohol in 27 city parks, the city says they received just two complaints. During the same time period, the city received 28 complaints related to alcohol in parks not part of the pilot program. One person was charged as a result.
The rules of the project required alcoholic drinks to be consumed on park property and only between 5:30 a.m. and midnight and alcoholic beverages must not exceed 15 per cent alcohol. People drinking those beverages are required to stay two metres away from playgrounds, wading pools, splash pads and skateboard parks.
