Delta council on Monday approved allowing summer drinking at three city parks to become a permanent program.
Last year saw a pilot program allowing the public to consume alcohol in designated areas of Diefenbaker Park in Tsawwassen, Memorial Park in Ladner and North Delta Community Park. The pilot ran from June 1 to Sept. 30, 2021, between 11 a.m. and dusk.
A staff report notes that based on the public feedback received, the program was largely successful with few issues.
The program will return this summer to those same parks, but the designated drinking area at North Delta Community Park has changed.
Noting the program has also been successful in other municipalities, Coun. Dylan Kruger said it allows people from all walks of life who don’t have a backyard, to enjoy being outside.
Coun. Dan Copeland said he supported the program going ahead, but that he has heard mixed reviews from the public.
The only council member to vote in opposition, Coun. Lois Jackson, questioned why the city wasn’t gathering more public input, including having a public hearing, before proceeding with a permanent program.
She was told the city collected feedback during the pilot and people can continue to convey concerns to city hall.
Jackson also wanted staff to report back on a written submission by Dr. Emily Newhouse, Medical Health Officer for Fraser Health.
Newhouse cited a report, Not Just a walk in the park: Unsupervised Alcohol Consumption
on Municipal Properties in BC, which suggested increased opportunities for alcohol consumption could lead to an increase in individual and or community harm.
Several recommendations were put forward including having health impact assessments and health equity analysis done.
City manager Sean McGill said the recommendations, when it comes to signage and permitted hours, are already part of the Delta program.
The bigger general questions about alcoholic consumption aren’t really applicable in Delta’s case, since the local program is time-limited, in a finite space and had few complaints, McGill added.
