Vancouver Park Board approves another pilot to allow drinking in some parks
The Vancouver Park Board unanimously approved a motion for another pilot project to allow alcohol consumption in city parks, more than three years after it began attempting to tackle the issue.
The motion was passed by the park board at its meeting Monday night. It calls for parks staff to "design and implement a second Alcohol in Parks Pilot for 2022, with considerations given to the lessons learned from the 2021 experience."
The motion was originally called "design and implement a second Alcohol in Parks Pilot for 2022 onwards.” Park board commissioner John Coupar requested the word "onwards" be removed, so staff could focus on the pilot project on hand.
Commissioner Dave Demers brought forward the motion, and said he hopes drinking in Vancouver parks will soon become a permanent thing.
Drinking in Vancouver parks is technically illegal, though many people do it anyway. The park board has been considering ways to legalize drinking in parks since December 2018.
Spurred by the desire for outdoor socialization options during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the board voted in favour of a first pilot project back in July 2020.
That pilot didn't take flight until a year later, however, after the provincial government changed legislation to give the park board the authority to choose where booze could be consumed legally in Vancouver.
A total of 22 parks were included in the project, and designated drinking areas were set up in each of them from July 12 to Oct. 11, 2021.
In December, staff presented results from the pilot project to the park board, saying that feedback from park users had been generally positive and that the vast majority of people drinking in parks had been "respectful."
The findings noted, however, that "designated drinking areas were not well-defined and the signage available was not very effective in communicating the boundaries."
"Park users didn’t generally abide by designated drinking areas when drinking alcohol on site," the staff presentation reads.
The presentation also made suggestions for better signage, additional monitoring of pilot sites and improved recycling and waste management.
The board approved the motion on the basis that these issues would be looked into.
Alcohol being sold at concession stands would also be part of this new strategy, something commissioner Coupar brought forward adding “it would be a great revenue opportunity for the park board.”
Commissioner John Irwin expressed concern about some parks having playgrounds and kids attractions, adding there needs to be more rules and signage in place to ensure people are not drinking so close to children.
Staff have been asked to report back to the board with recommendations for next steps.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Ian Holliday
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air turbulence: When can it become dangerous?
Flight turbulence like that encountered by a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday is extremely common, but there's one aspect of severe turbulence an aviation expert says can lead to serious injury.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
People in Gaza are 'wasting' from famine: World Food Programme director
World Food Programme executive director Cindy McCain says people living in Gaza are 'wasting' as famine concerns continue amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
WATCH Why today's inflation numbers are good if you have a mortgage
New inflation data is 'welcome news' for consumers and an economist says it could signal the possibility for a interest rate cut as several core measures also continue to ease.
'Mr. Trump doesn't worry us', says Canadian ambassador
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues the 'Team Canada' charm offensive to U.S. lawmakers and business leaders, Canada's ambassador to the United States downplayed the effect of another Trump presidency on Canada.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
'Miscommunication' Liberals say of Speaker Fergus event invite Conservatives call partisan
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus is facing fresh Conservative-led calls to resign, this time over "very partisan" and 'inflammatory' language used – the Liberals say mistakenly – to promote an upcoming event.
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.