Torontonians will be able to grab a cold drink in select public parks permanently.
On Thursday, a majority of councilors voted to keep the pilot program allowing people over 19 to consume alcoholic beverages after a staff report found it “was implemented with a high level of satisfaction among park visitors , few problems arose and minimal operational impacts were made.”
Staff said 92 percent of those who visited a pilot park and were surveyed said they were satisfied during their visit, 90 percent felt safe and 88 percent said people who chose to drink at the park were considerate. .
The pilot initially ran from August 2 to October 9 before being extended until the end of this month.
In the report, staff also shared that people who experienced the program were more supportive of maintaining or expanding it. A public opinion poll they conducted found that 46 percent of residents supported allowing drinking in parks, 23 percent were neutral and 30 percent opposed.
Given the positive feedback, staff suggested that the council approve the transition of the 27 participating pilot parks to permanent locations where alcohol consumption is permitted.
During Thursday’s meeting, several councilors presented motions to add some parks in their districts to the program. All his motions were approved.
On the other hand, five councilors presented motions directing city staff not to designate parks in their districts for alcohol consumption. Their motions were defeated.
In their report, staff recommended that each district have an alcohol-permitted park that meets approved criteria and has the support of the local councilor. Most of the pilot locations were in downtown Toronto, while some were in North York and Scarborough. No parks in Etobicoke opted to participate in the program.
Staff said that if the program becomes permanent, they “will continue to monitor implementation and provide ongoing updates to local councilors on issues arising in parks where alcohol consumption is permitted.”
List of the 27 pilot parks that will permanently be allowed for alcohol consumption:
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Campbell Avenue Park and Playground
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Cedarvale Park
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Christie Pits Park
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Corktown Common
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Dovercourt Park
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Dufferin Grove Park
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Earlscourt Park
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East Toronto Athletic Field
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Eglinton Park
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Green park
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Hillcrest Park
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June Rowlands Park
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Lee Lifeson Art Park
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McCleary Park
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Milliken Park
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Monarch Park
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morning park
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Neilson Park
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Oriole Park
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queen park
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Riverdale Park East
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round house park
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Sir Winston Churchill Park
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Skymark Park
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Trinity Bellwoods Park
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underpass park
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Withrow Park
Here are the parks approved Thursday to be part of the program:
pavilion 9
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Bert Robinson Park
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McCormick Park
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Wallace Emerson Park
pavilion 24
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Botany Hill Park
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Confederation Park
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Bendale North Park
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Scarborough Town Park
pavilion 3
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Cloverdale Park
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Etobicoke Valley Park
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Fairfield Park
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Grand Avenue Park
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Home Smith Park
pavilion 19
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Stan Wadlow Park
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East Lynn Park
pavilion 14
pavilion 21
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Ashtonbee Reservoir Park
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Thomson Memorial Park