More than 80 per cent of park users say drinking alcohol in selected City parks was an enjoyable and safe experience.
As the weather warms up, a majority of City residents are smiling happy with a controversial Alcohol in Parks Program.
The drink-in-the-park program has had few issues, complaints and not a single ticket has been issued by Toronto Police. It was approved in August 2023 and is now allowed at 45 City parks, including a few in Etobicoke.
“The Alcohol in Parks program continues with a high level of satisfaction among park visitors,” according to a program update that was presented to a City committee on April 8.
It said there has been a “few issues arising and minimal operational impacts across all parks in the program.”
Police said no tickets were issued in connection with park drinking and there were little complaints.
A City survey of almost 700 park users last March showed that more than 80 per cent of visitors were ‘satisfied with their visit and felt safe and welcomed.’
It said 85 per cent of visitors felt safe in the alcohol use parks and 82 per cent felt welcomed and 73 per cent said the booze drinkers were considerate.
Some 560 of those surveyed said they visited a park for personal alcohol consumption.
“The majority of park visitors said people drinking in parks were considerate, and there were no significant increases in service requests for amplified noise, disruptive behavior,” according to the update.
You can now drink alcohol in 45 selected City parks, including a few in Etobicoke.
There was no increase in calls to Toronto Police Services, nor complaints to 311 of overflowing garbage bins or unruly behaviour.
The update said City workers are installing signs at park entrances to show that alcohol use is allowed on the grounds.
City crews are monitoring the parks for behaviour, park cleanliness, safety and other considerations.
Police said no tickets were issued to park goers in relation to alcohol use.