Drinking in some Port Coquitlam parks could be allowed temporarily
Posted June 10, 2020 6:28 pm.
Last Updated June 10, 2020 6:32 pm.
PORT COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) — If approved later this month, it will be okay to have a beer or glass of wine at seven parks in Port Coquitlam.
The city’s mayor is trusting everyone to behave like adults if drinking alcohol in some parks is allowed temporarily.
Pleased to share that we are moving forward with a pilot project allowing adult beverages to be consumed at 7 designated parks in the city over the summer. https://t.co/zsnSD08fCg
— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) June 10, 2020
“We see increased use in our parks right now as people are looking to outdoor spaces as opportunities to gather with family and friends and many folks don’t have backyards or they have very modest backyards,” Brad West says.
He says if approved by council on June 23, the program will start the following day and run until Oct. 31.
“This is about treating adults like adults and there are many, many cities all over the world where this happens and people don’t give it a second thought, but it’s a little more revolutionary in Canada,” West adds.
For those 19 or older, drinking will be allowed at Castle, Settlers, Gates, Lions, Aggie, Evergreen, and Cedar Drive parks since are all regularly inspected and they all have washrooms, tables, and shelters.
West says he’s not expecting this to strain police resources because many people are already bringing alcohol to a picnic.
“Quite often, there’s a cooler there and 99.9 per cent of the time it doesn’t cause any issues,” he says. “If we allow the point-one per cent doomsday scenario to dictate everything that we do? We would never do anything.”
Meanwhile, North Vancouver has already given the green light for drinking in some public places.
Vancouver, on the other hand, initially voted down the motion to allow drinking in public spaces last week. But there’s still hope since Coun. Lisa Dominato has since changed her mind on the matter and wants to give a pilot project a chance.
I’ve heard overwhelmingly we should treat adults like adults and pilot responsible alcohol consumption in public spaces during the pandemic. Equity and small business top of mind for residents. https://t.co/JBPpR45J44 #vanpoli @PtFry @councillorwiebe @DowntownCharles 1/2
— Lisa Dominato, City Councillor (@LisaDominato) June 10, 2020
In a tweet, she suggested a four-to six-month pilot with continuous public feedback from the public and the Vancouver Police Department.
