Starting Wednesday, August 2 and running until Monday, October 9, people ages 19 and older will be allowed to “responsibly consume alcohol” in several City of Toronto parks.
The pilot program approved by city councillors is “based on public health guidance, public safety and operational considerations and the experiences of other Canadian cities,” officials said earlier.
According to municipal staff drinking in parks has not been a major issue in the past three years and most residents drink in parks respectfully and responsibly.
A number of parks have been added to the city’s original list of 20 that were confirmed in consultation with local Councillors.
The list of approved parks is below:
- Eglinton Park – Eglinton-Lawrence
- Earlscourt – Davenport
- Dufferin Grove Park – Davenport
- Campbell Avenue Playground and Park – Davenport
- Dovercourt Park – Davenport
- Roundhouse Park – Spadina-Fort York
- Trinity Bellwoods Park – Spadina-Fort York
- Christie Pits Park – University-Rosedale
- Queen’s Park (110 Wellesley St W) – University-Rosedale
- Sir Winston Churchill Park – Toronto-St. Paul’s
- Corktown Common – Toronto Centre
- Greenwood Park – Toronto-Danforth
- McCleary Park – Toronto-Danforth, 755 Lake Shore Boulevard East
- Riverdale Park East – Toronto-Danforth
- Withrow Park – Toronto-Danforth
- Monarch Park – Toronto-Danforth
- Oriole Park – St. Paul’s, 201 Oriole Parkway
- Hillcrest Park – St. Paul’s, 950 Davenport Road
- Cedarvale Park – St. Paul’s, 443 Arlington Avenue
- June Rowlands Park – St. Paul’s, 220 Davisville Avenue
- Skymark Park – Don Valley North
- Lee Lifeson Art Park – Willowdale
- East Toronto Athletic Field – Beaches-East York
- Milliken Park – Scarborough North
- Neilson Park – Scarborough-Rouge Park
- Underpass Park – 29 Lower River Street
- Morningside Park – Scarborough-Guildwood, 390 Morningside Avenue
City officials have said that a permit and licence are still required to sell or serve liquor in any park.
Park users must also comply with the provincial Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 which prohibits public intoxication and supplying/serving alcohol to people under 19 years old.
There are also rules about where alcohol can be consumed in a designated park.
