Edmontonians can keep drinking alcohol in some parks, picnic sites
Posted February 27, 2023 12:59 pm.
Edmontonians will be able to continue cracking a cold on in some city parks.
A city committee voted to make the pilot program, which began in 2021, permanent.
Last year, drinking was allowed at 124 picnic sites across 18 parks between May and October.
No fines were issued, with only three warnings given.
Maintenance crews also reported no significant increase in litter or damage.
Polling found 80 per cent of Edmontonians support allowing alcohol in parks, while more than 60 per cent said they would be more likely to use public picnic sites.
Those opposed to the program worried about increased impaired driving, disorderly behaviour and encouraging underage drinking.
“A lot of the concerns that were stated were concerns that never materialized over two years,” said Coun. Aaron Paquette. “I get it, because when this was first floated, I had many of the same concerns stated in the report. But I have to look at the evidence and the facts, and looking at evidence and facts, I have changed my stance. What could go wrong did not go wrong.”
