Here's how much you can be fined for drinking alcohol at Toronto beaches or parks

Jun 27 2020, 3:13 pm

As the weather begins to heat up, many are heading to Toronto’s beaches to cool down.

And with most patios limiting patrons to maintain physical distancing, some will head to the city’s beaches with booze in hand.

But since Toronto’s waterfront parks and beaches are public spaces, you can be fined if you are found drinking alcohol in these places.

The City of Toronto reminded residents of this fact as we head into a week straight of over 30°C weather.

“Enjoy the beach this weekend, but stay safe and follow the rules. Alcohol is not permitted at parks or beaches,” said the City. “You can receive a $300 ticket for consuming alcohol in public spaces.”

So, a $300 ticket can be issued for drinking in public parks or beaches. But that’s not the only fine that can be issued this summer.

“While visiting a beach or park, people must practice physical distancing and avoid crowding. Under the City’s physical distancing bylaw, any two people who don’t live together, who fail to keep two metres of distance between them in a City park or public square, can receive a $1,000 ticket,” says the City of Toronto.

“Provincial orders restricting gatherings of more than 10 people who are not members of the same household are in effect.”

That’s $1,000 for not maintaining physical distancing.

So, whether you’re playing volleyball or enjoying a picnic, be sure to keep your distance.

Some city beaches have also officially opened, with lifeguards on duty daily from 11:30 am to 6:30 pm. Swimming without the supervision of a lifeguard or outside designated swim areas is not recommended.

The beaches that are officially open include:

Bluffer’s Park Beach
Cherry/Clarke Beach
Kew-Balmy Beach
Marie Curtis Park East Beach
Sunnyside Beach
Woodbine Beach

Four more swimming beaches are expected to open on July 1, including:

Centre Island Beach
Gibraltar Point Beach
Hanlan’s Point Beach
Ward’s Island Beach

Besides social distancing and public drinking, littering has also been a problem.

On Wednesday, City Councillor Brad Bradford said he spoke with the deputy city manager over the weekend to ask for more police and bylaw officers to be out issuing tickets for those ignoring physical distancing rules, littering, and other “anti-social behaviour” on the beach, like starting fires.

According to the City’s tweet, littering in parks or Toronto beaches can cost you up to $500.

A Toronto Police Community Relations Officer, Norm Leung, posted a photo on June 22 and said the beach and other parks were “extremely crowded” last weekend.

“Lots of public drinking and failure to social distance. Please be respectful to each other and social distance rules. Blatant disregard for these will force officers to take action and risk the City closing parks again.”

Enjoy the weather out there, but be safe, Toronto.

And pick up your garbage.

DH Toronto StaffDH Toronto Staff

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