Toronto should allow drinking in parks permanently, says report, but not all agree

March 21, 2024 Canuck

A pilot project that allowed residents to drink alcohol in certain parks should become permanent and be expanded to ensure there is one park in every ward where residents can imbibe, Toronto city staff say.

But not all councillors and residents think booze in parks is a good thing.

A new staff report, released this week, said the pilot that ran in 27 parks from Aug. 2 to Oct. 9, 2023 was well received. The report will be considered by the city’s economic and community development committee at a meeting next week.

“Overall, the alcohol in parks pilot program was implemented with a high level of satisfaction among park visitors, few issues arising and minimal operational impacts,” the report said.

An online public park experience survey, which collected feedback from park users and nearby neighbours and business owners, found that 92 per cent of those who visited a park where drinking was allowed and who responded to the survey were satisfied with their visits.

“Respondents felt safe, and people who chose to drink at the park were considerate,” the report said.

The report says the pilot created few problems.

“Concerns anticipated by Torontonians before the pilot, such as increased disruptive behaviour and litter, largely did not materialize at pilot parks,” the report said.

“There were few increases in 311 service requests for noise, behaviour, and garbage/recycling bins at pilot parks, no increased need for police response at the vast majority of parks.”

No increased need for police at majority of parks

The report said there was also no increased need for police at the majority of pilot parks and no increase in hospital emergency department visits due to alcohol compared to the previous year.

Sitting with a friend on the grass, a man drinks a beer at a public on the first day the City of Toronto permits drinking in 27 public parks as part of a pilot lasting until Oct. 9. — A man drinks a beer in Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

Coun. James Pasternak, who represents York Centre, said the report may say the pilot looks like a success at first glance, but it doesn’t show the full picture.

“What it doesn’t measure is the underlying implications of the liberalization of access to alcohol in our parks. And that basically would be underage drinking, mental wellness, addiction, alcoholism and the problems that relate to that as well,” he said. Only residents 19 and older were permitted to drink legally.

Pasternak said he is still not a fan and doesn’t agree with the suggestion that there should be a park in every ward, where people can drink. He said the vast majority of drinkers are responsible but there is a small minority that is not responsible and that is what poses a concern.

Park now party zone, resident says

Tara Mackenzie, a resident who has lived around Trinity Bellwoods Park for 25 years, was not happy with the pilot. She said she has seen the park go from a family park into a party zone.

“It’s uncomfortable when you have young kids here with the level of drinking and partying that goes on, especially in the summer. I actually don’t find the noise that bad, but I do find people litter, people go to the bathroom in our alleys,” she said.

“There’s a lot of problems as a result of drinking in the park and I, as a neighbourhood person, don’t agree with it.”

Tina Mackenzie — Tara Mackenzie, a resident who has lived around Trinity Bellwoods Park for 25 years, was not pleased with the pilot. (CBC)

Coun. Chris Moise, who represents Toronto-Centre, said he’s not surprised by the report.

“I think it’s quite amazing that the public has the opportunity to go out in the parks and hang out with their friends and family. It’s common practice for people to go out in the park and actually drink. We’ve all done it, officially or unofficially,” he said.

The report said if council wishes to expand the pilot program by adding parks to the list, it should ensure the additional parks:

Have a permanent or temporary washroom and seasonal drinking water on site.
Must be at least 1.5 hectares in size.
Must not be adjacent to schools, if a park is smaller than three hectares.
Must not be located on the waterfront.
Have approval from the local councillor with written confirmation.

Also, there should be no alcohol consumption allowed at outdoor swimming pools and decks or within two metres around playgrounds, wading pools, splash pads, skateboard parks, BMX parks, and artificial and natural ice rinks, the report said.

Staff recommended that council continue to monitor and evaluate alcohol in parks, ensure each councillor receives a regular update about any issues emerging in their wards, and that staff report back to the committee in the second quarter next year.

The report will go to council in April.

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