Alcohol in Vancouver parks motion approved by VPB

You’ll soon be allowed to enjoy an adult beverage in many of Vancouver’s parks any time of the year, after the park board approved a motion to expand the program.

Commissioners have voted to make the program permanent and year-round.

The motion presented Monday directs staff to “initiate the process” in the 22 parks that were part of the 2021 and 2022 pilot projects, starting in the second quarter of 2023.

In addition to making the program permanent throughout the year, the Vancouver Park Board is also asking staff to prepare a list of other greenspaces where the program could be expanded to, “based on the presence of, but not limited to, appropriate washroom and waste facilities.”

---

Related articles: 

• Vancouver’s ABC promises to make alcohol in parks permanent if elected

• Alcohol in Vancouver parks again allowed with second pilot project

---

Staff are also being directed to put together a plan for a pilot program for alcohol consumption on beaches in the city.

The latest alcohol in parks pilot project ended on Oct. 16 — a day after the 2022 civic election.

Expanding the program was a major promise made by ABC Vancouver, which now has a majority on the Vancouver Park Board.

In September, the party noted that the pilot project had been “so successful” up to that point.

“It is a waste of Park Board resources to be ticketing the behaviour of responsible adults,” then-park-board candidate Scott Jensen said. “It should not be a crime for somebody to enjoy a beer or wine with their picnic.”

The 22 parks where the previous pilot projects were in place were Collingwood, Memorial West, David Lam, New Brighton, Fraser River, Pandora, Granville, Queen Elizabeth, Harbour Green, Quilchena, John Hendry (Trout Lake), Riverfront, Kitsilano Beach, Robson, Langara, Rupert, Locarno Beach, Stanley (southwest corner), Maple Grove, Vanier, Memorial South, and Volunteer.

The boundaries for alcohol-allowed areas were bigger this year, though booze was not allowed to be consumed within 20 metres of a playground, school, or natural area.

Alcohol consumption was also not allowed within five metres of a pool or water park, or on or within a beach, pond, lake, or dock, as well as some other areas.