If you’re out for a picnic at a Coquitlam park this weekend, feel free to bring a bevvy.
On Monday (July 4), city council gave final reading to the Responsible Consumption of Liquor in Public Places Bylaw, opening up drinking in all city parks except for those near schools.
Council said it had received good feedback from the community when it proposed the bylaw last month, prompting Coun. Trish Mandewo this week to change her vote to a 'yes.'
Earlier, Mandewo said she was concerned about the litter, as well as the potential unruly behaviours, but Coun. Brent Asmundson said the city has dealt with those issues for years.
"I think we have to trust people," he said.
"I always worry about making laws to deal with that very small percentage of people who do stupid things all the time. You're not going to stop them."
City staff and RCMP are set to monitor the park drinking and report back to council next June.
Signs will also be posted at park entries to indicate if drinking alcohol is permitted onsite.
Here is the list of the 56 Coquitlam parks where open consumption of booze is allowed (in alphabetical order):
- Alouette Park
- Blue Jay tot lot
- Blue Mountain Park
- Brookmere Park
- Burke Mountain Pioneer Park
- Burns Park
- Burquitlam Community Garden Park
- Cape Horn Tot Lot
- Como Lake Park
- Cottonwood Park
- Crane Park
- Crestwood Park
- Dacre Park
- Dawes Hill Park
- Don Roberts Park
- Eagle Mountain Park
- Eagle Ridge Park
- Eagle Ridge Pool Grounds and Park
- Galette Park
- Galloway Park
- Glen Park
- Good Neighbour Park
- Guilby Park
- Harrier Tot Lot
- Hickey Street Reservoir Park
- Hockaday Park
- Leigh Park
- Lower Lougheed Park
- Mackin Park
- Maquabeak Park
- Marguerite Park
- Mariner Park
- Meadowbrook Park
- Millard Orchard Park
- Mountain View Park
- Mundy Park
- Nestor Park
- Noons Creek Park
- Norm Staff Park
- Oakdale Park
- Ozada Tot Lot
- Poirier Civic Grounds Park
- Princeton Park
- Queenston Park
- Ranch Park
- Ridge Park
- Riley Park
- Selkirk Park
- Sheffield Park
- Shiloh Park
- Spirit Square
- Tanglewood Tot Lot
- Town Centre Park
- Turnberry Tot Lot
- Victoria Park
- Westwood Summit Tot Lot
