Burnaby council has approved allowing alcohol in select public parks this summer.
People can legally drink outside in four of Burnaby's parks from June 23 till Oct. 30.
The four parks are:
- Confederation Park (250 Willingdon Ave.)
- Central Park (3883 Imperial St.)
- Keswick Park (9452 Cardston Crt.)
- Edmonds Park (7433 Edmonds St.)
One councillor opposed the project, citing concerns laid out by the city’s medical health officer, Dr. Lindsay Bowthorpe, of Fraser Health who recommended council decline the program due to health concerns related to alcohol.
Coun. Sav Dhaliwal said the pilot program only came to council last month and there hasn’t been much time for staff to engage with the public.
“I believe we have rushed into it,” Dhaliwal said.
“You know, we had spoken about it, but, really, I think there hasn’t been enough discussion on this matter. I think there is no urgency to this; I think we should go slow.”
But Coun. Pietro Calendino disagreed.
“We hear of Vancouver being a boring city, and Burnaby is associated to Vancouver, next door to it,” Calendino said.
He added, “There are several communities that have implemented the responsible drinking in parks … and I haven’t heard any negative things about those other communities.”
Calendino noted he originally raised the idea for the program in 2021.
Deputy parks director Carmen Gonzalez told council other municipalities with similar programs found busier parks already have safety considerations like more lighting, noting the more people in an area, they more responsible people are likely to be.
She said staff met with representatives from Fraser Health and addressed some of the health authority’s concerns.
The pilot program lays out some restrictions, including where people can't drink, including:
- within 10 metres of a playground, pool, skate bowl, parking lot or sport court
- any artificial turf surface or any trail, pathway, natural parkland or forested areas
- within 10 metres of a playing field while in use
Drinking will not also be allowed in indoor buildings within the parks.
If violations arise, staff recommend a penalty of $200 and a discounted amount of $160 if paid within 15 days.
Gonzalez said staff will report to the parks, recreation and culture commission in July to discuss how to evaluate the program and what it’s measures of success will be.
Council passed the pilot program 7-1; Dhaliwal opposed.
