This is how much you can be fined for drinking in a Toronto park
As we head into the dog days of summer, it’s safe to say that a majority of Torontonians will be heading to the local parks to soak up the sunshine — most likely with a cold drink (or two) in hand.
But the next time you head to Trinity Bellwoods or to the Toronto Islands, you may want to reconsider filling your backpack with a few tall boys, unless you’re okay with shelling out a couple hundred bucks if you get caught.
According to the Toronto Municipal Code, while in any park, you should not have an open container of any liquor, unless in a designated area that’s “authorized by permit and with the approval of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.”
And while swigging a beer or popping the cork on a bottle of wine in public parks often gets the blind eye, you can get fined and it’s not necessarily cheap. The act can cost you up to $300, which is quite the price to pay for a drink.
“Fines range from $100 to $300 for offences such as letting your dog off leash (except in off-leash areas) and drinking, selling or serving alcohol in a park without a permit,” reads the City’s website.
But if you’re really in the mood to drink outside, Toronto’s home to plenty of patios, which are almost just as fun as the local parks.