Edmonton may soon allow alcohol consumption at picnic sites

You may be able to sip on an adult beverage while enjoying a picnic at one of Edmonton’s parks soon.

The City of Edmonton is asking for input from locals about allowing alcohol consumption at designated picnic sites in YEG.

In 2019, the Government of Alberta began to relax the rules around consuming liquor in parks by allowing visitors to drink in 14 provincial parks.

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The Alberta government then permitted people to drink in provincial picnic sites in June 2020; however, alcohol consumption is currently not permitted in Edmonton’s city parks and picnic areas and is a ticketed offence.

The City of Edmonton is beginning to follow the provincial government’s lead by rethinking its stance around allowing park users to sip on a drink or two (responsibly, of course) in specific picnic spots throughout the city.

Make your voice heard by filling out the online survey by midnight on March 7.

Results from this survey will be considered when making a decision at the April 26 Community and Public Services Committee meeting.

If approved by City Council, feedback will also help develop guidelines for what a pilot program allowing alcohol consumption at picnic sites may look like.

Cheers to that!