The City of Ottawa’s community services committee will debate whether to allow alcohol consumption in city parks starting this year.
According to a report to be discussed on Tuesday, staff recommended provisions to allow people to drink in designated areas of parks.
If approved, the city would allow alcohol consumption in certain parks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
The report recommended that alcohol not be allowed within a five-metre radius surrounding these amenities:
- playgrounds
- wading pools, splash pools and outdoor pools
- beaches
- skateboard and BMX parks
- parking lots
- natural or artificial ice rink
- sports fields, sports courts and ball diamonds
- sanctioned sledding hills
- within an area of a park where an event is taking place under a valid permit, unless expressly authorized
City staff also recommended two approaches to allowing alcohol in parks, if approved.
The first approach will allow councillors in each ward to work with the city’s general manager and their communities to decide whether or not they will designate a park to allow alcohol consumption.
The second approach would be a phased process where the general manager consults with ward councillors to authorize one park for alcohol consumption between July 31 and Oct. 30. A post-pilot evaluation and report will be presented to council for further direction.
Currently, alcohol in city parks is prohibited except during permitted events.
“The Liquor License Act of Ontario states that municipalities have the authority to designate public places under by-laws where the consumption of alcohol is allowed. This Provincial legislation change has prompted municipalities to consider amending by-laws to reflect the local perspective and intended future direction on the matter,” city staff wrote.
“As other municipalities consider permitting this activity, there was interest for the City of Ottawa to explore this topic as part of the re-enactment of the Parks and Facilities By-law.”
The move comes after several major cities in Canada amended their bylaws to allow alcohol consumption in parks over the past year.
Most decided to go with a phased approach. In Calgary, a pilot was introduced in 2021 to allow alcohol consumption in certain picnic sites, large areas and winter fire pits. The program was made permanent year-round the following year.
A similar phased approach was introduced in Toronto in 2023, where 27 parks were authorized for alcohol consumption between Aug. 2, 2023 to Oct. 2023. The program was expanded to 45 parks last year, and seven new parks were added this year.
Ottawa staff said they will consult with Ottawa Public Health and the Ottawa Police Service to address safety and security concerns, as well as mitigate risks.
“Participating municipalities reported that anticipated concerns regarding potential negative consequences did not materialize. Instead, the programs have been functioning smoothly, with no reported adverse impacts on the municipality or the public,” the report read.
