TORONTO, ON – The City of Toronto has announced the official launch of a pilot program to allow the consumption of alcohol in select parks.
From today until October 9th, people of legal drinking age (19 years and over) can bring and consume beer, wine, and spirits in 27 parks throughout the city.
Guidelines for individuals participating in the pilot include the following:
- Drink only within the pilot parks and between park hours (5:30 a.m. to midnight).
- Dispose of empties in a park recycling bin or take them home with you.
- Be respectful and do not disturb other park users.
- Must be legal drinking age of 19 years.
- Do not supply or serve alcohol to people under the legal drinking age of 19 years.
- Alcohol may not be consumed within two metres of playgrounds, wading pools, splash pads, skateboard parks, or inside the gates of an outdoor swimming pool or deck.
- Public intoxication and disruptive behaviour including public urination are not allowed.
According to a news release, “the City will evaluate the impact of the pilot on park users and neighbouring communities through 311 reporting, on-site observations and results of an online public survey, [and] findings will be reported to Council in early 2024.”
For more details on Toronto’s Alcohol in Parks pilot program, including a full list of parks where drinking is allowed, see the info page on the City of Toronto website.
Source & Photo: City of Toronto