Alcohol to be allowed in select Ottawa parks this summer

Alcohol could be allowed in some Ottawa parks this summer

Parkgoers will be able to enjoy a cold alcoholic beverage in select Ottawa parks this summer, with staff expecting legal drinking to be allowed in a dozen parks starting on Canada Day.

Council approved a pilot project to allow alcohol consumption in designated areas of parks selected by councillors, between July 1 and Oct. 31.

Under the plan, councillors will work with the general manager of Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services and their constituents to identify eligible parks for alcohol consumption. Alcohol will not be permitted at beaches, sports fields and around playground equipment.

• Dozens of calls about alcohol in Ottawa parks in 2024, Bylaw Services says

The current bylaw prohibits alcoholic beverages in a park, except at events with a park rental permit and a special occasion permit.

The alcohol in parks pilot project will have the following rules:

• No alcohol consumption before 11 a.m. and after 9 p.m. or hours designated by the general manager.
• No person shall possess or consume alcohol within a five-metre radius of a playground or playground equipment, wading pools or splash pads or outdoor pools, beaches, parking lots, natural or artificial ice rinks, and at sports fields, sports courts and ball diamonds.

You would not be allowed to drink in National Capital Commission parks in Ottawa, including Major’s Hill Park and Kìwekì Point and along the Rideau Canal.

Councillors will now decide which parks will allow alcohol consumption. The city’s general manager of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services expects about 12 parks will allow legal alcohol consumption this summer.

“By tomorrow, I will have sent out to all members of council an email identifying today’s approval and that the department is ready to engage with them in terms of discussing the parks they may want to select for the pilot project,” Dan Chenier told reporters.

“We will be asking them to, as soon as possible, identify parks and areas of parks that they would like to see have personal consumption of alcohol allowed. We expect, based on informal discussions with council, that we will probably get a dozen parks. We don’t believe that it will be city-wide; that it will be select wards.”

Chenier says staff will then list the parks on the city’s website, and signs will be posted in the areas of parks that will be selected.

“We will, to the extent possible, try to do this before Canada Day,” Chenier said, adding Bylaw Services will be notified about which parks will allow alcohol consumption.

Coun. Ariel Troster told the community service committee last month that she would not choose Dundonald Park for a pilot project.

In his weekly newsletter, Coun. Jeff Leiper said he would like to choose at least one park for a pilot, and parks that come to mind are Champlain Park, Laroche Park and Parkdale Park. Leiper is asking residents to provide feedback.

• No alcoholic drinks allowed in federal parks in Ottawa, as city to allow alcohol in some parks this summer

Both the Ottawa Police Service and Ottawa Public Health have raised health, safety and security concerns about allowing alcohol consumption in parks.

Bylaw Services Director Roger Chapman told CTV News Ottawa the city received 42 calls for open alcohol and drinking in parks in 2024.

“As a result of these calls, 10 tickets were issued under the Parks and Facilities Bylaw,” Chapman said.

Four tickets were issued for consuming alcohol in parks in 2022, while five charges were issued drinking alcohol/open liquor in parks in 2023.

The fine for open alcohol and drinking in parks is $260 per offence.

Here is what we know about legal drinking in Ottawa parks this summer

Council approved a pilot project to allow the legal consumption of alcohol in parks.

The Ontario government updated the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario to give municipalities the authority to designate public places for alcohol consumption.

Where can I drink alcohol in parks?

Alcohol consumption is not automatically allowed in all parks across the City of Ottawa.

Councillors will work with city staff to designate parks for the legal consumption of alcohol. Elected officials have the authority to not allow alcohol in any parks in their wards.

Under the City of Ottawa’s bylaw, alcohol consumption will not be allowed within five metres of:

• Playground or playground equipment
• Wading pools, splash pads or outdoor pools
• Beaches
• Skateboard or BMX parks
• Parking lots
• Ice rinks
• Sports fields, sports courts and ball diamonds.

Hours

You will not be allowed to have an early morning or late-night alcoholic beverage in a park.

The City of Ottawa says no alcohol consumption will be allowed before 11 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in parks.

Ottawa will allow legal alcohol consumption in parks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Toronto

The City of Toronto allows people aged 19 and older to bring and drink their own alcoholic beverages to 54 parks across the city.

Parkgoers in Toronto are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages between 5:30 a.m. and midnight.