Park Board approves plans to expand Alcohol in Parks program and pilot alcohol on beaches
Vancouver’s residents and visitors will be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage at more of the city’s parks and beaches from this summer, following changes to Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation guidance.
At last night’s meeting, the Board approved amendments to the by-law to designate selected park and beach sites as places where liquor may now be consumed, on a permanent or temporary basis.
From June 1, the public will be able to bring and consume alcoholic beverages at 31 permanent year-round park locations across Vancouver. In addition, 16 parks will become permanent summer-only sites between July 1 and August 31 each year.
Between June 1 and September 4, 2023, beachgoers will also be able to drink at seven of Vancouver’s beaches, following direction from the Board to staff to explore options to pilot the responsible consumption of alcohol at appropriate beach locations.
“After two successful years, we’re delighted to bring back responsible alcohol consumption to many of Vancouver’s most popular public spaces,” says Park Board Chair Scott Jensen. “Our previous pilot programs demonstrated the importance of creating shared spaces for socializing and we saw how effectively Vancouver’s parks and beaches can accommodate safe drinking. I look forward to joining Vancouver’s residents and visitors in having a drink at one of the city’s beautiful parks and beaches this summer!”
Locations
For most parks included in the program, drinking will be allowed throughout the park, except in areas like playgrounds, wading pools and splash parks, sports fields and courts, community centres, ecologically sensitive natural areas, parking lots, and off-leash dog areas. Maps of where alcohol can be consumed will be posted on our website and on signage installed at each location.
From June 1, 2023, consuming alcohol will be permitted on a permanent and year-round basis in the following parks:
- Adanac Park
- Balaclava Park
- Burrard View Park
- Elm Park
- Fraser River Park
- Garden Park
- Granville Park
- Harbour Green Park
- Jericho Beach Park
- John Hendry/Trout Lake Park
- Jonathan Rogers Park
- Jones Park
- Kitsilano Beach Park
- Langara Park
- Locarno Beach Park
- Maple Grove Park
- McBride Park
- Memorial West Park
- New Brighton Park
- Pandora Park
- Queen Elizabeth Park
- Riverfront Park
- Spanish Banks Beach Park
- Stanley Park (Lumberman's Arch)
- Stanley Park (Southwest and Second Beach)
- Sunrise Park
- Tatlow Park
- Vanier Park
- Victoria Park
- Volunteer Park
- Woodland Park
During the months of July and August each year, consuming alcohol will be permitted at:
- Beaconsfield Park
- Braemer Park
- Brewers Park
- Clinton Park
- Collingwood Park
- Columbia Park
- Falaise Park
- Memorial South Park
- Norquay Park
- Oak Park
- Quilchena Park
- Robson Park
- Ross Park
- Rupert Park
- Slocan Park
- Winona Park
Between June 1 and September 4, 2023, the seven beach pilot sites will be:
- Jericho Beach
- Spanish Banks
- Locarno Beach
- Second Beach (Stanley Park)
- Kitsilano Beach
- John Hendry / Trout Lake Beach
- New Brighton Beach
For all sites, the consumption of alcohol will be allowed between the hours of 11am and 9pm daily.
The Board also approved an additional amendment to the by-law prohibiting glass beverage bottles and containers at parks and beaches, in response to concerns over broken glass and potential injury.
Drinking responsibly
Park and beach users are reminded to act responsibly when drinking alcohol. Please exercise caution when drinking alcohol on beaches and avoid entering the water when intoxicated.
We also ask residents and visitors to respect other park users and help keep greenspaces clean by properly disposing of trash or taking it away with them. When consuming beverages in parks and beaches (alcoholic or not), please avoid bringing any glass bottles or containers, and instead bring cans, reusable and/or plastic or paper-based containers.
Park rangers and operations staff will work with the Vancouver Police Department to monitor the beach pilot sites and ensure that they are safe, properly managed, and well-maintained. Further information on this will be shared soon.