Metro Vancouver has approved a pilot project to allow alcohol consumption in five regional parks, including Capilano River Regional Park in North Vancouver.
The 2024 pilot program will run from June 28 to Oct. 14, and alcohol can be consumed during park hours. The specific designated areas within these regional parks are as follows:
The following are the six regional parks and their corresponding picnic areas:
- Boundary Bay Regional Park – Centennial Beach
- Brunette Fraser Regional Greenway – Sapperton Landing
- Campbell Valley Regional Park – 8th Avenue Picnic Area/Order of Canada Grove
- Capilano River Regional Park – Cleveland Dam Picnic Area
- Derby Reach Regional Park – Day Use Area adjacent to Edgewater Bar campground
- Iona Beach Regional Park – Picnic area
Several Lower Mainland municipalities, including North Vancouver, have implemented programs to allow liquor in parks and public spaces, with many programs starting in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Metro Vancouver says the site selection for the 2024 pilot program was based on various factors such as visibility, accessibility, amenities, environmental impact, and proximity to nearby facilities.
The criteria included having park washrooms nearby, supporting visitor connection, having access to pedestrian, cycling, and public transit, and being located away from playgrounds and school sites. The aim was to provide equitable access to regional locations while minimizing the impact on natural areas and neighbouring residents.
Metro Vancouver staff will target education and enforcement as necessary to encourage compliance to the Bylaw.
Signage will be installed at each proposed site to inform park visitors of the pilot program and provide a QR code for a web-based survey. The signs will also include a dedicated email address and telephone number that visitors can call with questions, comments, or concerns.
However, both Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health have opposed the project.
“In the interest of public health and safety, we strongly caution against the Regional Parks Committee approving a pilot program to permit alcohol consumption in the four regional parks proposed within the Fraser Health area: Boundary Bay, Campbell Valley, Derby Reach, and Brunette Fraser Greenway,” Fraser Health staff said in a release.
I guess if the crackheads and druggies can sit in these parks and openly smoke their crack, and use their needles in public view, what difference does this make?
The only thing is now people won’t have to hide there are liquor in cups and bags.
What an improvement!