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

Alcohol could be allowed in some Ottawa parks this summer

As the City of Ottawa looks at allowing parkgoers to enjoy alcoholic beverages in certain areas of parks this summer, new data shows Bylaw Services officers responded to dozens of calls for open alcohol and drinking in parks last year.

An update to the Parks and Facilities Bylaw, to be discussed at the Community Services Committee meeting next Tuesday, recommends allowing alcohol consumption in designated areas of parks selected by councillors.

Under the proposed rules, people would only be allowed to drink alcohol in parks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. and alcohol would be prohibited within five metres of beaches, splash pads, playground equipment and sports fields and ball diamonds.

• Ottawa residents could be allowed to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in parks this summer

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

Bylaw Services Director Roger Chapman tells 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.

The Ottawa Police Service and Ottawa Public Health have raised health, safety and security concerns about allowing alcohol consumption in parks. Chief Eric Stubbs told the city that “adequate bylaw enforcement presence and clear guidelines for managing alcohol consumption” in parks would be required.

Staff are recommending allowing alcohol consumption in designated areas of parks, as determined by the ward councillor, in consultation with the general manager of Public Works. The report does provide two potential options for allowing alcohol consumption in parks:

• Option 1: Allow the councillor in each ward to work with their communities to decide on designating a park, or not, to permit personal consumption of alcohol.
• Option 2: Implement a phased approach, whereby the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department general manager would, in consultation with the local ward councillor, select “up to one park per ward” to authorize personal consumption of alcohol from July 1 to Oct. 31.

The proposed rules include:

• 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 ranks, and at sports fields, sports courts and ball diamonds.