Council to vote on test project to allow alcohol in some parks this summer

Edmontonians may be able to crack open a cold one at some city parks this summer under a proposed pilot program.

The city is recommending alcohol be allowed in 47 designated picnic sites across seven river valley parks from May 28 to Oct. 11 after 71 per cent of respondents voiced support for the pilot in an online survey earlier this year.

In a report published Thursday, the city said the pilot will be going ahead but later clarified it requires council approval and that the city will bring forward a motion to be voted on in order to proceed.

Council's community and public services committee will discuss the recommendation April 28.

If approved, alcohol will be permitted at about 25 per cent of the picnic sites in Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Whitemud, William Hawrelak, Government House, Victoria, Gold Bar and Rundle parks. The pilot is expected to cost the city about $10,000 for communication tools and signage and can be funded through the existing budget. Each picnic site will have signage designating it as an alcohol zone as well as listing the permitted alcohol hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The pilot will include both bookable and first-come, first-served picnic sites in these seven parks.

“The river valley parks system was chosen for the pilot due to the existing presence of enforcement and operational teams which will ensure efficient oversight of the pilot and minimize additional costs,” the city said. “At the end of the pilot, administration will analyze data from the pilot including usage and complaints, and review and report those findings to city council in consideration with any future plans to allow continued alcohol consumption.”

Peace officers will take a “patrol and monitor approach” to increase awareness and enforcement will focus on addressing behavioural concerns such as excessive litter or noise, the city said in its report.

Of the 15,554 responses to the city's survey, the second most out of any city survey conducted, 85 per cent of those in support said allowing alcohol would complete an enjoyable food experience. The biggest concern for those not in support was an increase in disorderly behaviour, with 92 per cent of those in opposition.

Ward 3 Coun. Jon Dziadyk, who brought forward the motion prompting public engagement, said he is supportive of the pilot proposal and it will allow Edmontonians more options to gather safely outdoors during the COVID -19 pandemic.

“Everyone thought this summer would be different than last summer and it's shaping up to look like it's going to be quite similar and people need to get out of their houses and, with limited destinations, this just provides something else that people can do in a responsible way,” he said. “I'm very pleased that there was robust engagement and Edmontonians across the board seem to be in support of this and even those that are a bit hesitant are not outright opposed to the idea.”

The new rules would also regulate a practice that has been long prohibited in city parks.