Early data shows alcohol complaints higher in Toronto parks not part of drinking pilot program
CBC
Over a month into Toronto's pilot project allowing drinking in select parks, preliminary data shows the number of complaints related to alcohol is significantly higher in parks where drinking isn't permitted compared to areas where it is.
From Aug. 2 to Aug 29, the city received two complaints related to alcohol in one of the 27 parks where people are allowed to drink.
That's compared to 16 alcohol-related complaints in parks where alcohol isn't allowed, the city told CBC Toronto in an email. It also laid one charge for possessing open liquor at a park not included in the pilot project.
Some councillors say the data makes a strong, though early, case for legalizing drinking in parks city-wide as a way for Torontonians to enjoy the outdoors with friends and loved ones. Others say it's still too soon to know what the impact of the program will be in the long term.
Coun. Brad Bradford represents Beaches-East York, which has one park as part of the project. Bradford says never anticipated drinking in parks to be a huge issue to begin with.
"That would confirm that this was sort of overhyped and overblown as an issue and as it turns out, something that's probably been a pretty enjoyable experience and and net positive for the city," he said referring to the early data.
The data gives the city a glimpse into how restrictions may influence the number of alcohol-related complaints. For the entire month of August, the city says it received 12 alcohol-related complaints in 2022 and 17 the year prior.
Coun. Lily Cheng represents Willowdale, which has one park participating in the pilot. She says it's still too early to decide if the program is overall good for her community, where locals have been split on the issue.
"I think it's a such a brief window so it's hard to extrapolate," said Cheng, adding she intends to consult with police and her constituents once the city's final report goes to council next year.
The pilot project was approved by council in late July, after years of back and forth on the issue. Residents are allowed to consume alcohol in select parks from Aug. 2 to Oct. 9.
Toronto-Danforth councillor Paula Fletcher has five parks included in the pilot, comprising almost 20 per cent of all the parks involved.
She says she opted to include that many into the program as a way to "calibrate" how well the pilot has been doing, particularly since not every councillor chose to participate.
"At this point it's not a fair system," said Fletcher. "Not everybody has equal access to have their glass of wine or beer legally in the park."
"I'm hoping that my test case will be helpful for other councillors in other parts of the city when the results come back."
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