Drinking alcohol in Kitchener's Victoria Park — yea or nay? Some locals weigh in

A proposed pilot project introduced by Kitchener Coun. Jason Deneault late last year may allow people to enjoy alcoholic beverages in Victoria Park this summer without breaking any rules, so CBC News spoke to some locals at the park about whether they're on board with the idea.  

Kelsey McGraw-Yan lives in a nearby condo and said that if the pilot comes to be she would take advantage of it.

Whether it's law or not, it's something that she's already seeing people enjoy; and it's something she's done too. 

"To be honest, I love coming here in the summer, sometimes with my partner," she said. "We'll bring a book and we'll bring some food and we'll just enjoy and have one casual cider each." 

"And I think as long as you know you're keeping it in your limits and we're not just having these huge ragers in the park — that would be kind of where I would not love it, but I think if we're doing it responsibly I think it's OK." 

Coun. Deneault explained that some residents in the downtown core don't have backyards which is one reason for putting the motion forward.

"This just enables some of those people downtown to move on over to the park and have a beverage, and have a get together with some friends and family," Deneault told The Morning Edition host Craig Norris last year. 

City staff are putting a report together looking into the logistics of the concept, Deneault said, and a decision about it could be made by May or June. 

The Morning Edition - K-W6:03You may be able to crack a cold one at Kitchener's Victoria Park next summer

Next summer you might able to walk around Kitchener's Victoria Park with a beer or cider in your hand. The city is looking at introducing a pilot project that would allow open alcohol in the park. Coun. Jason Deneault introduced the motion for the pilot. He says many cities like Toronto have proven success with allowing alcohol in the parks.

'People should get on board'

Liam Feick of Kitchener said that he too would take advantage of the pilot project if it came into effect, and that "people should get on board for sure."

When asked whether he sees a downside to the idea, he said, "Hundred per cent," and laughed. 

"I don't know, it's just respecting what alcohol could do to you, right?" he said. "You should know your limits and play within it there for sure."

Ultimately though, he felt that the good outweighs the bad. 

"People know how to respect alcohol so I think it'll be alright," said Feick.

Kierra Young, also living in Kitchener, feels that the province's laws around alcohol are "more restrictive" compared to some cities in Europe, and supports the idea of the pilot project.

"I think there could be some advantages to loosening those up a bit," she said. 

If approved, Deneault said that the pilot project could start by July.