TORONTO — A pilot project that allowed Torontonians to sip on beer, wine and other booze at select parks for a few months last year was a success and can safely become a permanent fixture if council votes in favour of it, according to a city report.
The evaluation report from city staff said few issues arose at the 27 parks where locals were allowed to legally consume alcohol from August to October last year and almost everyone who took advantage of the opportunity reported being highly satisfied in a survey.
"Based on the evaluation findings and the experience of other Canadian cities, a measured approach to maintaining and expanding the program is most appropriate for Toronto. Expansion to every Toronto park is not recommended," the report reads.
City staff said a majority of survey respondents also reported feeling safe at parks where drinking was briefly allowed, there was no increase in hospital emergency department visits due to alcohol, no spike in calls to police, and those who chose to drink at a park were considerate of those around them.
The report, which will be discussed at a city council meeting next week, said the temporary Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program cost taxpayers a little more than $60,000 to implement.
"The transition of pilot parks to allow personal alcohol consumption on an ongoing basis and implementing the administrative process to designate additional parks for personal alcohol consumption and to remove parks can be accommodated within existing resources," according to the report.
The report said that if council votes in favour of making the project permanent, staff recommend at least one park in every ward be designated for drinking.
City staff also recommend that any additional park designated as a safe space for drinking must follow certain criteria, including that the size of the park should be at least 1.5 hectares, it should not be across from schools and it should not be on the waterfront.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 22, 2024.
The Canadian Press
