Alcohol in Parks Pilot: Evaluation Findings

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The decision

2024-04-17 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on April 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council approve the transition of the following 45 parks into park locations where personal alcohol consumption is allowed on a permanent basis with restrictions for health and safety, by amending Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, substantially as set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 15, 2024) from the Acting General Manager, Parks,

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Forestry and Recreation, as amended by Part 2 below, subject to such stylistic or minor substantive changes as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the City Solicitor: Park Name, Address Ashtonbee Reservoir Park, 21 Ashtonbee Road Bert Robinson Park, 400 Caledonia Road Botany Hill Park, 277 Orton Park Road Campbell Avenue Playground and Park, 225 Campbell Avenue Cedarvale Park, 443 Arlington Avenue Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor Street West Cloverdale Park, 85 Shaver Avenue South Confederation Park, 250 Dolly Varden Boulevard Corktown Common, 155 Bayview Avenue Dieppe Park, 455 Cosburn Avenue Dovercourt Park, 155 Bartlett Avenue Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin Street Earlscourt Park, 1200 Lansdowne Avenue East Lynn Park, 1949 Danforth Avenue East Toronto Athletic Field, 175 Main Street Eglinton Park, 200 Eglinton Avenue West Etobicoke Valley Park, 615 Horner Avenue Fairfield Park, 90 Lothian Avenue Grand Avenue Park, 1 Grand Avenue Greenwood Park, 150 Greenwood Avenue Hillcrest Park, 950 Davenport Road Home Smith Park, 4101 Dundas Street West June Rowlands Park, 220 Davisville Avenue Lee Lifeson Art Park, 45 Princess Avenue McCleary Park, 755 Lake Shore Boulevard East McCormick Park, 66 Sheridan Avenue Milliken Park, 4325 McCowan Road Monarch Park, 115 Felstead Avenue Morningside Park, 390 Morningside Avenue Neilson Park, Scarborough, 1555 Neilson Road North Bendale Park, 40 Erinlea Crescent Oriole Park - Toronto, 201 Oriole Parkway Queen's Park, 110 Wellesley Street West Riverdale Park East, 550 Broadview Avenue Riverdale Park West, 375 Sumach Street Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Boulevard Scarborough Village Park, 23 Gatesview Avenue Sir Winston Churchill Park, 301 St. Clair Avenue West Skymark Park, 3500 Don Mills Road Stan Wadlow Park, 373 Cedarvale Avenue Thomson Memorial Park, 1005 Brimley Road Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen Street West Underpass Park, 33 St. Lawrence Street Wallace Emerson Park, 1260 Dufferin Street Withrow Park, 725 Logan Avenue 2. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks to authorize the local Councillor to provide approval for the addition of a park only when at least one park is designated in the Councillor's Ward, and City Council authorize the local Councillor to approve the removal of a park only when there are at least two parks designated in the Councillor's Ward, such that at least one park in each Ward is designated for personal alcohol consumption. 3. City Council approve the administrative process outlined in Attachment 2 to the report (March 15, 2024) from the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and City Council amend Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, substantially as set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 15, 2024) from the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, as amended by Part 2 above, and subject to such stylistic or minor substantive changes as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the City Solicitor, in order to delegate authority to the General Manager to add and remove parks to Schedule A of Chapter 608 provided the criteria listed are satisfied and that the local Councillor is authorized to approve the addition of a park only when at least one park is designated in the Councillor's Ward, and the local Councillor is authorized to approve the removal of a park only when there are at least two parks designated in the Councillor's Ward, such that at least one park in each Ward is designated for the personal alcohol consumption. 4. City Council confirm that of the remaining 126 parks that met the criteria set by Parks, Forestry and Recreation, that a minimum of one park in each City ward be designated for personal alcohol consumption, with consideration for sensitive uses, health and safety. 5. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with local Councillors, to identify and designate at least one park location where alcohol is permitted for personal consumption in every City of Toronto ward, in accordance with the criteria, restrictions and process set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 15, 2024) from the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, as amended by Part 2 above, and Attachment 2 to the report (March 15, 2024) from the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, by July 4, 2024 2024, and support Councillors' community consultation efforts, as requested. 6. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and other appropriate Division Heads, to continue to monitor and evaluate park locations where alcohol is permitted for personal consumption, and report back to Economic and Community Development Committee in second quarter of 2025 with a status update.

The vote

Adopt Item as Amended · Carried, 20-4

Against (4)Frances Nunziata, James Pasternak, Stephen Holyday, Vincent Crisanti

Absent (2)Jaye Robinson, Jennifer McKelvie

The whole record, all 26 members

Every name opens that member’s record.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

In response to City Council direction ( 2023.EC5.1 ), this report presents the evaluation findings of the Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program, as implemented from August 2, 2023 to October 9, 2023 in 27 parks. Overall, the Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program was implemented with a high level of satisfaction among park visitors, few issues arising, and minimal operational impacts. The vast majority (92 percent) of those who visited a pilot park and responded to the experience survey shared that they were satisfied with their visit.

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Respondents felt safe, and people who chose to drink at the park were considerate. There were minimal increases in service requests to 311 for noise, behaviour or garbage/recycling bins at pilot parks, but not all of these are attributable to the pilot, given other activities taking place in the parks, including special events. Further, there was no increased need for police response at the vast majority of pilot parks, and no increase in hospital emergency department visits due to alcohol, compared to the preceding year (2022). The general public sentiment about alcohol in parks was assessed through a public opinion survey, representative of the Toronto population. The results indicate that 46 percent of respondents were supportive of allowing drinking in parks, 23 percent were neutral and 30 percent were opposed. Given the findings of the pilot evaluation and adhering to the guiding principles approved by City Council for the program, should Council wish to maintain the pilot parks and/or expand the program, this report provides a path forward for Council's consideration, including transitioning all pilot parks to permanent locations, and directing staff to work with local Councillors to expand the number of parks where drinking is permitted to include at least one park in every ward that meets Council-approved public health and safety criteria. If approved, staff will continue to monitor implementation and provide ongoing updates to local Councillors regarding issues arising in parks where alcohol consumption is allowed as well as report back with a status update in the second quarter of 2025. As part of implementation, this report also recommends implementing an administrative process to streamline the addition and removal of park locations where personal alcohol consumption is allowed through amendments to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks. In the development of this report, Parks, Forestry and Recreation consulted Legal Services, Municipal Licencing and Standards, Toronto Public Health, Solid Waste Management Services, Customer Experience - 311, Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto Fire Services, and Toronto Police Service.

Staff recommended

1. City Council approve the transition of the 27 pilot parks into park locations where personal alcohol consumption is allowed on a permanent basis with restrictions for health and safety, by amending Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, substantially as set out in Attachment 1, subject to such stylistic or minor substantive changes as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the City Solicitor: Park Name, Address

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Campbell Avenue Playground and Park, 225 Campbell Ave Cedarvale Park, 443 Arlington Ave Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor St W Corktown Common, 155 Bayview Ave Dovercourt Park, 155 Bartlett Ave Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin St Earlscourt Park, 1200 Lansdowne Ave East Toronto Athletic Field, 175 Main St Eglinton Park , 200 Eglinton Ave W Greenwood Park, 150 Greenwood Ave Hillcrest Park , 950 Davenport Rd June Rowlands Park, 220 Davisville Ave Lee Lifeson Art Park, 45 Princess Ave McCleary Park, 755 Lake Shore Blvd E Milliken Park, 4325 McCowan Rd Monarch Park, 115 Felstead Ave Morningside Park, 390 Morningside Ave Neilson Park - Scarborough, 1555 Neilson Rd Oriole Park - Toronto, 201 Oriole Pkwy Queen's Park, 110 Wellesley St W Riverdale Park East, 550 Broadview Ave Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremmer Blvd Sir Winston Churchill Park, 301 St. Clair Ave W Skymark Park, 3500 Don Mills Rd Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen St W Underpass Park, 33 St. Lawrence St Withrow Park, 725 Logan Ave 2. City Council approve the administrative process outlined in Attachment 2 and amend Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, substantially as set out in Attachment 1, subject to such stylistic or minor substantive changes as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the City Solicitor, in order to delegate authority to the General Manager to add and remove parks to Schedule A of Chapter 608 provided the criteria listed are satisfied and the local Councillor provides approval. 3. City Council confirm that a minimum of one park in each City of Toronto ward shall be designated for personal alcohol consumption, with consideration for sensitive uses, health and safety. 4. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with local Councillors, to identify and designate at least one park location where alcohol is permitted for personal consumption in every City of Toronto ward, in accordance with the criteria, restrictions and process set out in Attachment 1 and 2 by September 2024, and support Councillors' community consultation efforts, as requested. 5. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and other appropriate Division Heads, to continue to monitor and evaluate park locations where alcohol is permitted for personal consumption, and report back to Economic and Community Development Committee in Q2 2025 with a status update.

Considered

2024-03-28 · Economic and Community Development Committee · amended
Decision as filed
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council recognize the success of the Phase 1 of the alcohol in parks pilot in 27 of the 171 parks that met the criteria and approve the transition of the 27 pilot parks, with the addition of Riverdale Park West, 375 Sumach Street, into park locations where personal alcohol consumption is allowed on a permanent basis with restrictions for health
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and safety, by amending Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, substantially as set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 15, 2024) from the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, as amended by Recommendation 2 below, subject to such stylistic or minor substantive changes as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the City Solicitor: Park Name, Address Campbell Avenue Playground and Park, 225 Campbell Avenue Cedarvale Park, 443 Arlington Avenue Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor Street West Corktown Common, 155 Bayview Avenue Dovercourt Park, 155 Bartlett Avenue Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin Street Earlscourt Park, 1200 Lansdowne Avenue East Toronto Athletic Field, 175 Main Street Eglinton Park , 200 Eglinton Avenue West Greenwood Park, 150 Greenwood Avenue Hillcrest Park , 950 Davenport Road June Rowlands Park, 220 Davisville Avenue Lee Lifeson Art Park, 45 Princess Avenue McCleary Park, 755 Lake Shore Boulevard East Milliken Park, 4325 McCowan Road Monarch Park, 115 Felstead Avenue Morningside Park, 390 Morningside Avenue Neilson Park - Scarborough, 1555 Neilson Road Oriole Park - Toronto, 201 Oriole Parkway Queen's Park, 110 Wellesley Street West Riverdale Park East, 550 Broadview Avenue Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremmer Boulevard Sir Winston Churchill Park, 301 St. Clair Avenue West Skymark Park, 3500 Don Mills Road Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen Street West Underpass Park, 33 St. Lawrence Street Withrow Park, 725 Logan Avenue 2. City Council amend Attachment 1 to the report (March 15, 2024) from the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to authorize the local Councillor to provide approval for the addition of a park only when at least one park is designated in the Councillor's Ward, and to approve the removal of a park only when there are at least two parks designated in the Councillor's Ward, it being the intention that at least one park in each Ward is designated for the personal alcohol consumption. 3. City Council approve the administrative process outlined in Attachment 2 and amend Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, substantially as set out in Attachment 1, to the report (March 15, 2024) from the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, as amended by Recommendation 2 above, and subject to such stylistic or minor substantive changes as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the City Solicitor, in order to delegate authority to the General Manager to add and remove parks to Schedule A of Chapter 608 provided the criteria listed are satisfied and that the local Councillor is authorized to approve the addition of a park only when at least one park is designated in the Councillor's Ward, and to approve the removal of a park only when there are at least two parks designated in the Councillor's Ward, it being the intention that at least one park in each Ward is designated for the personal alcohol consumption. 4. City Council confirm that of the remaining 144 parks that met the criteria set by Parks, Forestry and Recreation that a minimum of one park in each city ward be designated for personal alcohol consumption, with consideration for sensitive uses, health and safety. 5. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with local Councillors, to identify and designate at least one park location where alcohol is permitted for personal consumption in every City of Toronto ward, in accordance with the criteria, restrictions and process set out in Attachment 1, as amended by Recommendation 2 above, and Attchment 2 to the report (March 15, 2024) from the Acting General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, by July 4, 2024 2024, and support Councillors' community consultation efforts, as requested. 6. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and other appropriate Division Heads, to continue to monitor and evaluate park locations where alcohol is permitted for personal consumption, and report back to Economic and Community Development Committee in second quarter of 2025 with a status update.
2024-04-17 · Toronto City Council · amended

On the record

The item as the City filed it