City allows alcohol at seven beaches

Pilot program extended again

Despite some challenges after a 2023 pilot program, the Vancouver park board has given the green light to public alcohol consumption on seven selected beaches again this summer.

The board agreed to allow booze at Jericho Beach, John Hendry Beach, Kitsilano Beach, Locarno Beach, New Brighton, Spanish Banks and Stanley Park Second Beach beginning on June 1. Those are the same locations identified in last year's pilot.

Among beaches where alcohol would remain forbidden are English Bay Beach, Third Beach in Stanley Park, Sunset Beach Park, CRAB Park and all the beaches along the Fraser River.

Staff estimated the cost of another pilot this summer at about $930,000: $480,000 for more park rangers, cleanup and public communications, and a boost to the Vancouver police budget of $450,000 to increase patrols.

VPD Insp. Marco Veronesi, who is in charge of operations in the downtown core, said drinking has always occurred on city beaches, and that the pilot project is a way to keep tabs on it and make it manageable from a public safety perspective.

He said public attitudes have changed over the years and, aside from issues with rowdy groups of intoxicated youth — many of whom aren't of legal drinking age — people are mostly able to be drink responsibly in public. He said times have changed from when officers used to refer to the annual fireworks celebrations, once called the Symphony of Fire, as the “symphony of fights.”

The report noted a survey of 2,000 people — half in Vancouver and half in Metro Vancouver — found that about 70 per cent think alcohol should be allowed on beaches; half of those think it should be allowed at all beaches. Just under a quarter thought alcohol should be banned.

PAID PARKING PILOT AT SPANISH BANKS

Also at Monday's park board meeting, a pilot of paid parking was approved for Spanish Banks, one of the city's busiest destination beaches.

Visitors will be charged $1 an hour to park at Spanish Banks from May to the Labour Day weekend in September, with a reduced rate in the off-season.

The fee would apply from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., as in other paid-parking areas in the city. Paid parking would also be implemented along nearby NW Marine Drive.

Currently, Spanish Banks has four lots with 744 spaces. It's the only one in the park board network to allow free parking.