People drinking at a park

Alcohol in parks pilot

To meet public demand, we are extending the pilot program from June 3 to October 16, 2022, to allow the responsible consumption of alcohol at 22 parks around the city.

Responsible alcohol consumption is allowed in 22 parks across the city, as part of a pilot program to understand how people consume alcohol legally in our parks.

Except for areas where drinking is prohibited - such as playgrounds, sports fields, community centres, and other designated places – people can bring their own alcoholic beverages to enjoy in the 22 parks listed below.

Please be respectful to other park users, always drink responsibly, and clean up after yourself.

Parks where drinking is allowed

Drinking is permitted in some of Vancouver’s most popular parks. The parks included have amenities like washrooms, garbage and proximity to other services to ensure that parks remain well maintained and tidy.

Public consumption of alcohol is allowed at these parks between the hours of 11am and 9pm daily, from June 3 to October 16, 2022:

  • Collingwood Park
  • David Lam Park
  • Fraser River Park
  • Granville Park
  • Harbour Green Park
  • John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park
  • Kitsilano Beach Park / Hadden Park
  • Langara Park
  • Locarno Beach Park
  • Maple Grove Park
  • Memorial South Park
  • Memorial West Park
  • New Brighton Park
  • Pandora Park
  • Queen Elizabeth Park
  • Quilchena Park
  • Riverfront Park
  • Robson Park
  • Rupert Park
  • Stanley Park (southwest corner)
  • Vanier Park
  • Volunteer Park

Where drinking is permitted in parks

We expect people consuming alcohol in parks to use their common sense, drink responsibly, and respect other park users. Drinking is permitted throughout areas of parks listed above, except for areas:

  • Within 20 metres of a playground, school, or natural area
  • Within 5 metres of a pool, splash park, or water park
  • In, on, or within a:
    • Beach, pond, lake, or dock
    • Seawall, roadway, parking lot, or building entrance area
    • Garden or horticultural display area
    • Sports field, sports court, skate park, fitness amenity, or pitch and putt golf course
    • Community centre, fieldhouse, or washroom
    • Designated off-leash dog area

Additionally, some areas may be temporarily restricted when in use for recreational programs or special events.

Maps of where alcohol can be consumed at each of the 22 parks can be found below:

Designated drinking sites in parks

By City of Vancouver

 

  • Designated drinking site at Collingwood Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at David Lam Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Fraser River Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Granville Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Harbour Green Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Kitsilano Beach Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Langara Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Locarno Beach Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Maple Grove Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Memorial South Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Memorial West Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at New Brighton Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Pandora Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Queen Elizabeth Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Quilchena Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Riverfront Park (west)

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Robson Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Rupert Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Stanley Park (southwest)

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Vanier Park

    By City of Vancouver

  • Designated drinking site at Volunteer Park

    By City of Vancouver

About the pilot

Pilot timeline

  • December 2018

    Park Board Commissioners direct staff to develop a feasibility study for a pilot allowing the consumption of alcohol in select parks

  • July 2020

    Pilot approved for 22 park sites but implementation requires amendments to the BC Liquor Control and Licensing Act to allow liquor to be consumed within Park Board jurisdiction

  • June 2021

    BC Liquor Control and Licensing Act amended, allowing the Park Board to enact the by-law necessary to launch the pilot

  • July 2021

    First pilot launches to the public

  • October 2021

    First pilot concludes

  • December 2021

    Staff report back to Park Board Commissioners with data and key findings from the pilot

  • February 2022

    Park Board commissioners direct staff to extend the pilot to 2022 with consideration to lessons learned from the first pilot

  • May 2022

    Pilot approved for the same 22 park sites with changes to drinking area boundaries

  • We are here
  • June 3, 2022

    Second pilot launches to the public

Resources and documents