Toronto’s pilot project to legalize drinking in city parks has been met with high satisfaction and positive results. The pilot, which allowed drinks like wine and beer in 27 city parks, found that the majority of respondents felt safe at parks where drinking was allowed. There was no increase in hospital emergency visits due to alcohol, no spike in calls to police, and those who chose to drink at the park were considerate of those around them. As a result, Toronto councillors have decided to expand the program permanently, with every ward having at least one park where drinking is allowed.
Chair of the economic development committee, Coun. Alejandra Bravo, emphasized that the decision to make drinking in parks a permanent policy should not be left up to individual councillors. The initial pilot project operated on an opt-out basis, leaving certain areas of the city without legal outdoor drinking spaces. The parks, forestry, and recreation manager, Howie Dayton, suggested that a consistent policy should be adopted city-wide to ensure that approved programs are available in every part of the city. With the addition of more wards, Toronto is expected to have at least 40 parks where drinking is allowed this summer if the council approves the plan.
The city will likely expedite the expansion of the program from September to July to maximize the summer season. The 2023 pilot project cost taxpayers roughly $60,000 to implement, and the permanent program can be accommodated within existing resources. City staff also recommend that any additional park designated for drinking must meet certain criteria, such as being at least 1.5 hectares in size, not located across from schools, and not on the waterfront. The expansion recommended by the committee will be official once council ratifies the decision.
The positive results of the pilot project have led to a decision to expand the program permanently in Toronto. The satisfaction of park visitors, the lack of negative impacts such as an increase in hospital visits or calls to police, and the considerate behavior of those drinking in parks have all contributed to the decision. The program will now be expanded to include at least one park in every ward, ensuring that residents across the city have access to legal outdoor drinking spaces. The city will also implement criteria for designating parks as safe spaces for drinking, such as size restrictions and proximity to schools.
Coun. Alejandra Bravo emphasized the importance of making the policy permanent across the city, rather than leaving it up to individual councillors. The parks, forestry, and recreation manager, Howie Dayton, also stressed the need for a consistent policy that is available in every part of the city. The program is expected to be expanded by July to maximize the summer season, providing residents with more opportunities to enjoy outdoor drinking in city parks. The cost of implementing the permanent program can be accommodated within existing resources, and additional criteria will be put in place for designating parks as safe spaces for drinking.
Overall, the success of the pilot project to legalize drinking in Toronto city parks has led to a decision to expand the program permanently. The positive results, lack of negative impacts, and overall satisfaction among park visitors have shown that legal outdoor drinking can be implemented successfully in the city. The decision to expand the program to include at least one park in every ward, along with the implementation of criteria for designating safe spaces for drinking, will provide residents with more opportunities to enjoy this activity. With the support of city councillors and staff, Toronto is set to continue offering legal outdoor drinking spaces for its residents in the future.
