Having a drink in some North Vancouver parks to be allowed year-round

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Sipping a beer or a glass of wine in certain North Vancouver parks and public spaces will soon become permanent after a successful pilot project.

City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan said the project was met with great reviews after it was first given the green light in June.

It was set to run until Oct. 15, but the city is extending the project year-round in nine designated areas. Once the bylaw is finalized, people will be able to enjoy an alcoholic drink until dusk year-round.

Noting 80 per cent of residents in North Vancouver live in multi-family housing that might not have balconies or other common spaces, Buchanan said the project allowed people to meet up safely outside.

“This was really a great opportunity for people to get out and connect with one another, and if they so choose, to have an alcoholic beverage,” she said.

She adds the city is looking to bring in more recycling and garbage receptacles, as well as permanent washrooms in some locations.

One location included in the pilot will not be in the finalized bylaw since it was too close to some residential areas, Buchanan said.

RELATED: Public drinking allowed at four Vancouver plazas

Despite concerns about how people would behave under the pilot project, she said it went over well and police didn’t have to take any extra calls because of it.

“My take is, if you treat adults like adults, they’re going to behave like adults,” she says. “People have really, really behaved well.”

On Monday, city council unanimously supported the staff report recommending the year-round extension.

Buchanan said the permanent bylaw should be in place in about a month because it still needs to go through a final council approval and permanent signage needs to be brought in.

“But, basically, it’s a done deal,” she said.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today