beer toronto parks

Toronto takes steps to legalize drinking in parks

This is not a joke. I promise.

City councillors will be voting this Friday on whether or not to consider putting beer gardens in some Toronto parks.

Beaches-East York councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, who chairs the Parks and Environment committee, is recommending that city staff review a popular craft beer program in Philadelphia to see if something similar could be rolled out here.

Called "Parks on Tap," the City of Philadelphia's initiative has seen mobile craft beer and food trucks travelling to different parks throughout the city, all summer, since 2016.

"This program brings people together of all ages and activates the city's parks, including smaller neighbourhood parks and public spaces," wrote McMahon in her proposal last week, noting that "a portion of the proceeds from each location is reinvested into Philadelphia's park system."

If her motion is passed on Friday, executives from the Municipal Licensing and Standards, Economic Development and Health departments will study Philadelphia's initiative and report on the feasibility of mobile craft beer trucks in Toronto by January of 2018.

"I think it's an exciting opportunity," McMahon told Metro this week of her recommendation. "People are drinking in parks anyway."

True story.

Lead photo by

Hector Vasquez


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Video shows passengers evacuating Delta plane after crash at Toronto airport

Delta plane flips over in crash at Pearson airport in Toronto

Homes taken over by Metrolinx for new Toronto subway will soon be demolished

What's open and closed on Family Day 2025 in Toronto

Gardiner Expressway construction faces new hiccup with upcoming lawsuit

Law-breaking Toronto driver stopped by cops during live news broadcast

Second Toronto storm could bring another 30 cm of snow

Toronto is about to make it a lot easier to visit the Scarborough Bluffs