Alcohol in Parks Program

People aged 19 years and older can bring and drink their own alcoholic beverages to 45 City parks.

All park events where alcohol will be sold or served to the public still require a City of Toronto Special Event permit and a permit/license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

  • Drink only within the parks in the program and between park hours (5:30 a.m. to midnight)
  • Dispose of bottles or cans in a park recycling bin or take them home with you
  • Be respectful and do not disturb other park users
  • Must be legal drinking age of 19 years
  • Don’t drink and drive
  • Do not supply or serve alcohol to people under the legal drinking age of 19 years

Alcohol may not be consumed within two metres of playgrounds, wading pools, splash pads, outdoor pools, natural or outdoor ice rinks, or skateboard and BMX parks.

Public intoxication and disruptive behaviour including public urination are not allowed.

Drinking alcohol is harmful to your health. The less alcohol you drink, the better.

Find a list of safe drinking tips and harm-reduction resources.

Concerned about your alcohol use? ConnexOntario.ca can help.

Background

  • April 2024: City Council voted to adopt a permanent alcohol in parks program in 45 parks, including all pilot parks, and confirmed that at least one park in each City ward will be designated for personal alcohol consumption.
  • March 2024: Economic and Community Development Committee received a staff report on the pilot program evaluation findings and voted to approve amended recommendations to require a minimum of one park in each City ward be designated for personal alcohol consumption.
  • November 2023: City Council voted to update alcohol-use restrictions for winter.
  • October 2023: City Council voted to extend the pilot program from October 9, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
  • July 2023: City Council voted to endorse a pilot program to occur in 27 parks confirmed in consultations with local Councillors.
  • May 2023: City Council voted to support of a pilot program allowing personal consumption of alcohol in some City parks this summer and fall and to consult with interested councillors on hosting a pilot park in their ward.
  • May 2022: City Council voted to direct City staff to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee in the second quarter of 2023 with options and necessary by-law amendments to allow drinking in City parks.
  • As part of its 2019 Budget, the Province of Ontario announced amendments to the Liquor Licence and Control Act to permit municipal Councils to change bylaws to designate public places, including parks, for personal alcohol consumption.

    Guiding Principles

    Guiding principles have been established to inform each aspect of the park selection criteria:

    • Public health and safety
    • Positive park experience for everyone
    • Clean and well-maintained parks
    • Access
    • Simple rules and clear communication

    Park Selection Criteria

    Parks were selected based on a number of criteria in alignment with the guiding principles. Criteria includes:

    • Permanent or temporary washroom onsite
    • Seasonal drinking water onsite
    • Park size at least 1.5 hectares
    • Not adjacent to schools, if park is smaller than three hectares
    • Not situated on the waterfront

    Municipal Code and Provincial Legislation

    • Consuming alcohol in public spaces is governed by both the Provincial legislation and City of Toronto Municipal Code.
    • The Ontario Liquor Licence and Control Act governs where alcohol can be sold, served and consumed. In 2019, the Liquor Licence and Control Act (by section 41(1)(d) was amended to give municipal councils the opportunity to change their bylaws to designate a public place, including parks, for personal alcohol consumption.
    • The City of Toronto Municipal Code § 608-8 (Parks: Liquor) governs alcohol consumption in parks, and mirrors language used in the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019. Specifically, the bylaw prohibits possessing open liquor in a Toronto park without a permit; and providing, and consuming, selling or serving liquor in a park without a permit.

    Enforcement

    Bylaw enforcement officers visit City parks regularly. They do not have a stationary presence. Enforcement officers take an education-first approach to enhance awareness of City bylaws.