The City of Chestermere is introducing a pilot program to allow public consumption of alcohol in select city parks. This was brought forward in the spirit of giving parkgoers the option of having an alcoholic beverage while enjoying our lakeside greenspaces.

This initiative allows users to roam around the large grassy areas of the parks with an alcoholic beverage and is based on similarly piloted programs in surrounding municipalities, such as the City of Calgary.

This pilot project includes consultation from legal counsel and input from Municipal Enforcement. This pilot project is intended to run in the summer months of July and August, at which time Chestermere City Council will revisit.

The City of Chestermere is asking for your input. Please share your thoughts on this pilot project at the Public Liquor Consumption in the Parks Survey (surveymonkey.com). Public consultation will be open from Friday, June 24 to Friday, July 8.

 

Important Pilot Details:

• This pilot project will only take place at John Peake Park and Sunset Park.

• These locations were chosen with surrounding areas in mind, ensuring proper distance from playgrounds and family-central locations, with access to portable washrooms.

• It will allow the consumption of beer and wine beverages ONLY in the grassy areas of the parks - not in the parking lots or sidewalks.

• Consumption will be allowed between the hours of 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. ONLY.

• Hard liquor and spirits are NOT permitted.

• No glass is allowed.

• Disruptive behaviour, public intoxication, and public urination WILL NOT be tolerated. Users are expected to be respectful of other parkgoers and to clean up after themselves.

• As this is a pilot project, if unacceptable behaviour becomes an issue, the City of Chestermere Administration/Municipal Enforcement reserves the right to cancel the program at any time, without warning. Following the consultation period, input will be brought to Chestermere City Council for their consideration.

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