Burnaby votes to allow alcohol consumption in parks year-round

Adults will be able to consume alcoholic beverages in most Burnaby parks all year-round starting this summer.

Burnaby city council voted to allow alcohol in the public areas after a staff report into the city’s pilot project last year.

That pilot was limited to just four parks over the entire city — Confederation Park, Central Park, Kswick Park, and Edmonds Park.

Councillors were told Monday night there were no real problems stemming from the trial. Staff said emergency services saw no real increase in calls during the trial period.

Despite the green light from civic politicians, adults still won’t be able to drink booze in parks between dusk and dawn, in or near playgrounds, water features, skate bowls, sports fields, and on artificial turf surfaces.

Couns. Sav Dhaliwal and Richard T. Lee were the only councillors in opposition to the move. The new rules will go into effect June 24.