Item - 2023.EC5.1
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on July 19, 2023 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Economic and Community Development Committee on July 6, 2023 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on July 19, 2023.
- See also DM6.5
- See also By-law 767-2023
EC5.1 - Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on July 19 and 20, 2023, adopted the following:
1. City Council approve a time-limited Alcohol in Parks pilot program, as outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (June 23, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, from August 2, 2023 to October 9, 2023, in the following sites:
Park Name, Ward
Eglinton Park, Ward 8 - Eglinton-Lawrence
Earlscourt, Ward 9 - Davenport
Dufferin Grove Park, Ward 9 - Davenport
Campbell Avenue Playground and Park, Ward 9 - Davenport
Dovercourt Park, Ward 9 - Davenport
Roundhouse Park, Ward 10 - Spadina-Fort York
Trinity Bellwoods Park, Ward 10 - Spadina-Fort York
Christie Pits Park, Ward 11 - University-Rosedale
Queen's Park (110 Wellesley Street West), Ward 11 - University-Rosedale
Oriole Park, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's, 201 Oriole Parkway
Hillcrest Park, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's, 950 Davenport Road
Cedarvale Park, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's, 443 Arlington Avenue
June Rowlands Park, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's, 220 Davisville Avenue
Sir Winston Churchill Park, Ward 12 - Toronto-St. Paul's
Corktown Common, Ward 13 - Toronto Centre
Greenwood Park, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth
Riverdale Park East, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth
Withrow Park, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth
Monarch Park, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth
McCleary Park, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth, 755 Lake Shore Boulevard East
Skymark Park, Ward 17 - Don Valley North
Lee Lifeson Art Park, Ward 18 - Willowdale
East Toronto Athletic Field, Ward 19 - Beaches-East York
Milliken Park, Ward 23 - Scarborough North
Neilson Park – Scarborough, Ward 25 - Scarborough-Rouge Park
Underpass Park, Ward 13 - Toronto Centre, 29 Lower River Street
Morningside Park, Ward 24 - Scarborough-Guildwood, 390 Morningside Avenue
2. City Council amend Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, as detailed in Attachment 2 to the report (June 23, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, subject to such stylistic or minor substantive changes as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the City Solicitor, to allow the time-limited pilot program described in Attachment 1 to the report (June 23, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to be implemented in specified parks, as amended by Part 1 above.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to prepare a design for a "no alcohol" sign, which may be deployed upon request of a local Councillor should a problem arise with alcohol consumption at locations outside the pilot.
4. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee on the evaluation results of the pilot program in the first quarter of 2024.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237699.pdf
Attachment 1: Proposed Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237700.pdf
Attachment 2: Proposed Amendments to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237701.pdf
Attachment 3: Research Survey: Consultants Report - Responsible Alcohol Use in City Parks
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237702.pdf
Attachment 4: Jurisdictional Review: Recent Alcohol in Parks Pilot Programs in Canada
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237703.pdf
Attachment 5: Ward List - Parks Most Suitable for Alcohol in Parks Pilot
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237704.pdf
Attachment 6: Map of Proposed Locations for Alcohol in Parks Pilot
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237705.pdf
Communications (Committee)
(July 4, 2023) E-mail from Joanne Chamberlain (EC.New)
Communications (City Council)
Motions (City Council)
That City Council amend Economic and Community Development Committee Recommendation 1 by adding the following:
a. McCleary Park, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth, 755 Lake Shore Boulevard East
Vote (Amend Item) Jul-19-2023 3:27 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - EC5.1 - Fletcher - motion 1 |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 22 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson |
Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are Vincent Crisanti, Stephen Holyday, James Pasternak |
Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Gary Crawford |
That:
1. City Council amend Economic and Community Development Recommendation 1 by adding the following parks, as they meet the criteria of being a suitable size to ensure distance from playgrounds and having washroom and water fountain access:
- Oriole Park, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's, 201 Oriole Parkway;
- Hillcrest Park, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's, 950 Davenport Road;
- Cedarvale Park, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's, 443 Arlington Avenue; and
- June Rowlands Park, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's, 220 Davisville Avenue.
Vote (Amend Item) Jul-19-2023 3:28 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - EC5.1 - Matlow - motion 2 |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 22 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson |
Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are Vincent Crisanti, Stephen Holyday, James Pasternak |
Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Gary Crawford |
That City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to prepare a design for a "no alcohol" sign which may be deployed upon request of a local Councillor should a problem arise with alcohol consumption at locations outside the pilot.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Jul-19-2023 3:30 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - EC5.1 - Holyday - motion 3 |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 16 | Members that voted Yes are Alejandra Bravo, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Vincent Crisanti, Stephen Holyday, Nick Mantas, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson |
Total members that voted No: 9 | Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Jon Burnside, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Josh Matlow, Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson |
Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Gary Crawford |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Jul-19-2023 3:30 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - EC5.1 - Adopt the Item as amended |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 21 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson |
Total members that voted No: 4 | Members that voted No are Vincent Crisanti, Stephen Holyday, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak |
Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Gary Crawford |
EC5.1 - Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:
1. City Council approve a time-limited Alcohol in Parks pilot program, as outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (June 23, 2023) from the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, from August 2, 2023 to October 9, 2023, in the following sites:
Park Name, Ward
- Eglinton Park, Ward 8 - Eglinton-Lawrence
- Earlscourt, Ward 9 - Davenport
- Dufferin Grove Park, Ward 9 - Davenport
- Campbell Avenue Playground and Park, Ward 9 - Davenport
- Dovercourt Park, Ward 9 - Davenport
- Roundhouse Park, Ward 10 - Spadina-Fort York
- Trinity Bellwoods Park, Ward 10 - Spadina-Fort York
- Christie Pits Park, Ward 11 - University-Rosedale
- Queen's Park (110 Wellesley St W), Ward 11 - University-Rosedale
- Sir Winston Churchill Park, Ward 12 - Toronto-St. Paul's
- Corktown Common, Ward 13 - Toronto Centre
- Greenwood Park, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth
- Riverdale Park East, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth
- Withrow Park, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth
- Monarch Park, Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth
- Skymark Park, Ward 17 - Don Valley North
- Lee Lifeson Art Park, Ward 18 - Willowdale
- East Toronto Athletic Field, Ward 19 - Beaches-East York
- Milliken Park, Ward 23 - Scarborough North
- Neilson Park – Scarborough, Ward 25 - Scarborough-Rouge Park
- Underpass Park, Ward 13 - Toronto Centre, 29 Lower River Street
- Morningside Park, Ward 24 - Scarborough-Guildwood, 390 Morningside Avenue
2. City Council amend Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 608, Parks, as detailed in Attachment 2 to the report (June 23, 2023) from the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, subject to such stylistic or minor substantive changes as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the City Solicitor, to allow the time-limited pilot program described in Attachment 1 to be implemented in specified parks, as amended by Recommendation 1, above.
3. City Council direct the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee on the evaluation results of the pilot in the first quarter of 2024.
Origin
Summary
In response to Council direction (2023.DM6.5), this report proposes an approach, including necessary by-law amendments, to allow responsible personal consumption of alcohol in Toronto parks on a pilot program basis from August to October 2023.
The pilot program design is based on public health guidance, public safety, operational considerations, and experiences from Canadian jurisdictions that recently implemented pilot programs. Information from Toronto Public Health is provided on the harm reduction, treatment and education programs available. The pilot will be evaluated to assess the impacts to park visitors and the surrounding community. The report recommends that staff report on the evaluation results in Q1 2024.
The parks proposed for inclusion in this pilot were arrived at in three steps. First, staff led a data-driven, technical review and generated a list of parks meeting all or most of the technical selection criteria. Next, staff reviewed the list for each City ward to short-list the most suitable pilot parks from an operational perspective. Lastly, staff met with interested councillors, to discuss the pilot and park options in their wards, leveraging councillors' local knowledge of park amenities and uses. All parks proposed for inclusion in the pilot program have been confirmed by the local councillor.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237699.pdf
Attachment 1: Proposed Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237700.pdf
Attachment 2: Proposed Amendments to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237701.pdf
Attachment 3: Research Survey: Consultants Report - Responsible Alcohol Use in City Parks
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237702.pdf
Attachment 4: Jurisdictional Review: Recent Alcohol in Parks Pilot Programs in Canada
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237703.pdf
Attachment 5: Ward List - Parks Most Suitable for Alcohol in Parks Pilot
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237704.pdf
Attachment 6: Map of Proposed Locations for Alcohol in Parks Pilot
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-237705.pdf
Communications
(July 4, 2023) E-mail from Joanne Chamberlain (EC.New)
Speakers
Councillor Ausma Malik
Motions
That the Economic and Community Development Committee:
1. Amend Recommendation 1 by adding Underpass Park, Ward 13 - Toronto Centre, 29 Lower River Street, to the list of parks to be included in the Alcohol in Parks pilot program.
That the Economic and Community Development Committee:
1. Amend Recommendation 1 by adding Morningside Park, Ward 24 - Scarborough-Guildwood, 390 Morningside Avenue, to the list of parks to be included in the Alcohol in Parks pilot program.