Community reacts to alcohol consumption in Ottawa parks this summer

CTV News

4 hours ago

The Ottawa community is on the fence about drinking booze in parks, under the legal alcohol consumption pilot project coming July 1.
Some people may be in favour of it but some people say parks are for families and kids and alcohol consumption should not be allowed.
'I'm a little concerned about people coming and getting kind of unruly or leaving garbage around mixed in with family gatherings. There's going to be a lot of kids here. Don't love the idea of that,' says Lisa Meyer, an Ottawa resident, 'I think people might get carried away.'
The ones looking forward to cracking open a cold one say why not.
'I think it's maybe a good opportunity for people who don't have a nice outdoor, communal space to get together and share a drink outside and enjoy the weather during the summer,' says Pablo De Larrinaga, an Ottawa resident, 'I might give it a go on a nice hot day. I wouldn't mind having a drink in one of our beautiful parks in the city.'
'I'm for the drinking. I think it'll be, a little more fun to be able to have some drinks. People are already doing it anyways, so it just takes away, the sneakiness of it. I think it's a good idea and I'm excited for it,' says Ingrid Drevniok.
A number of city councillors are not in favour of the permit and, therefore, those parks will not be participating in the project.
'Out here we're not getting any demand for it. You know, there's not a large group of people asking to have it in the parks. Our parks out here are more geared towards family, that there's lots of activities in each park for families to enjoy,' says Allan Hubley, Ottawa Councillor.
Some parents told CTV News that they don't want it around their children and don't want hem to be influenced by the drinking of alcohol.
They say rules should be in place, such as allowing drinking between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. and stay at least five metres away from where children play and parking lots.
Mother and daughter duo, Amanda Wilson and Debra Bourne, are divided on their opinion about the liquor drinking.
'I don't necessarily have a problem with it. I think, like any substance, there can be harms and problems with it. People consume it in their homes or at bars. If they're going to do so in a public park, I think that does impose additional risks. As long as people are doing it responsibly and taking care of each other,' says Wilson.
'Based on how much you drink can cause behaviour that is not necessarily appropriate, the drinking should be done in places where supervision is there, like a restaurant or where you need smart serve or in your private residence. (At) the parks or sidewalks, that does not happen,' says Bourne. 'I believe the legislation that we have in place right now is there to protect the public and I think it should stay there.'