It could be time to say “cheers” with friends outside.
On Monday, May 8, Burnaby council will decide whether to allow drinking alcohol in public parks.
City staff have recommended that council begin the pilot program this summer.
The province allows cities to begin programs for alcohol consumption in parks, according to the report, and has municipalities decide the public places where it’s allowed.
Other nearby cities have adopted similar programs, including Vancouver, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam and Delta.
“Over the past two years, these municipalities have generally had positive experiences, with few concerns or issues arising during that time,” Gonzalez wrote and noted Vancouver recently made their program permanent.
The city would choose parks for the pilot program based on:
- Park size and layout to ensure space without interfering with other park activities
- Accessibility to public transportation
- Existing amenities like washrooms, seating areas and waste disposal
- Safety, such as lighting
Other considerations staff would review include operating hours, public communications, waste management and public safety monitoring.
Staff would run a public consultation process during the pilot program to allow residents to give the city feedback.
Costs for the program, which could include signage and sign maintenance, waste management and bylaw patrols, would be absorbed within existing city budgets for this year. Gonzalez wrote the costs during the pilot program would be tracked to inform future decision making.
If council approves the pilot program, staff would aim to have the bylaw ready in June.
📢 SOUND OFF: Do you want to see a program allowing alcohol consumption in local parks? Which parks would be a good fit? Share your thoughts — send us a letter.
