Great news, Vancouver! The sun is shining and picnic season is well underway, and with that may come the desire to sip on a couple of adult-friendly beverages here and there. Fortunately, there are already designated public plazas open year-round that offer spots to unwind with a brew. And starting this week, the option will finally be extended to beachgoers as well!
On Monday, April 24th, the Vancouver Park Board voted in favour of expanding the ‘Alcohol in Parks Pilot’ program, which made it legal to consume alcohol in over 20 designated parks and beaches in Vancouver last summer.
Starting Thursday, June 1st, Vancouverites will be able to drink legally at seven beaches all summer long, in addition to 31 parks year-round, and 16 between July 1st and August 31st.
“After two successful years, we’re delighted to bring back responsible alcohol consumption to many of Vancouver’s most popular public spaces,” says Park Board Chair Scott Jensen. “Our previous pilot programs demonstrated the importance of creating shared spaces for socializing and we saw how effectively Vancouver’s parks and beaches can accommodate safe drinking.”
🥤 Last night, the Board approved plans to permit the consumption of alcohol in 31 parks on a year-round basis, and 16 parks during the summer. From June 1 to Sept 4, 2023, beachgoers will also be able to drink at 7 of Vancouver’s beaches.
Full story ➡️ https://t.co/pWHliBKhim pic.twitter.com/UXo4IBPckN
— Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (@ParkBoard) April 25, 2023
At Monday’s meeting, the Park Board approved the addition of the following beach pilot sites (open from June 1st to September 4th):
- Jericho Beach
- Spanish Banks
- Locarno Beach
- Second Beach (Stanley Park)
- Kitsilano Beach
- John Hendry / Trout Lake Beach
- New Brighton Beach
As well, the Park Board voted to prohibit glass beverage bottles and containers at all parks and beaches, to prevent potential broken glass and injury.
Starting June 1st, you can legally consume alcohol at the following parks year-round:
- Adanac Park
- Balaclava Park
- Burrard View Park
- Elm Park
- Fraser River Park
- Garden Park
- Granville Park
- Harbour Green Park
- Jericho Beach Park
- John Hendry/Trout Lake Park
- Jonathan Rogers Park
- Jones Park
- Kitsilano Beach Park
- Langara Park
- Locarno Beach Park
- Maple Grove Park
- McBride Park
- Memorial West Park
- New Brighton Park
- Pandora Park
- Queen Elizabeth Park
- Riverfront Park
- Spanish Banks Beach Park
- Stanley Park (Lumberman’s Arch)
- Stanley Park (Southwest and Second Beach)
- Sunrise Park
- Tatlow Park
- Vanier Park
- Victoria Park
- Volunteer Park
- Woodland Park
During July and August of each year, consuming alcohol will be legal at the following parks:
- Beaconsfield Park
- Braemer Park
- Brewers Park
- Clinton Park
- Collingwood Park
- Columbia Park
- Falaise Park
- Memorial South Park
- Norquay Park
- Oak Park
- Quilchena Park
- Robson Park
- Ross Park
- Rupert Park
- Slocan Park
- Winona Park
Finally, note the following areas that are NOT alcohol-friendly:
- Within 20 metres of a playground, school, or natural area
- Within 5 metres of a pool or water park
- In, on, or within a:
- beach, pond, lake, or dock
- seawall, roadway, parking lot, or building entrance
- garden or horticultural display
- sports field, court, skate park, fitness amenity, or pitch & putt
- community centre, fieldhouse, or washroom
- designated off-leash dog area
If you’re keen on reading the fine print or want to see how data collected from park staff, Vancouver Coastal Health, and the VPD all factored into this year’s program, you can read up on the approved by-law.
When searching for the perfect place for a boozy picnic this summer, remember there are an additional 25 parks on the North Shore to consider.
Drink responsibly, Vancouver! We’ll catch you at the beach!
