Image: City of Chilliwack / Chilliwack City Council is set to vote on a bylaw that would allow nearly six months of public liquor consumption just west of the playground at Vedder Park, and near a concession area just east of the playground. RCMP and city bylaw staff have not received any complaints about the alcohol consumption at Vedder Park between 2020 and 2022, prompting city staff to recommend that councillors recommend the seasonal liquor consumption at Vedder Park.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Alcohol consumption at Vedder Park

Alcohol consumption coming back to Vedder Park for nearly six-month run

Apr 15, 2023 | 7:53 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday (Apr. 18) on an agenda item that would permit the seasonal consumption of alcohol in Vedder Park near the Rotary Vedder Trail.

Item 7.7 on Tuesday’s agenda involves a recommendation from city staff that councillors approve the consumption of alcohol through City Parks Bylaw 2023, No. 5299, at the park, located at 45450 Petawawa Road, between May 15 and October 31.

A municipal staff report accompanying the agenda item says a pilot project was conducted in August 2020 during which time there did not appear to be any issues or bylaw complaints. The pilot project was also successful in subsequent years, prompting staff to bring forward this year’s bylaw recommendation.

The staff report references consultation with the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP in which Mounties say they have no concerns with the alcohol consumption in Vedder Park provided that there are no glass containers; signage has defined boundaries, reminders of the legal drinking age and no drinking and driving; and defined hours that liquor is allowed.

According to city documents, Chilliwack City Council passed on August 4, 2020 Bylaw 2020, No. 4830 to allow the consumption of alcohol at Vedder Park and Crossing Park, as a pilot project until October 31, 2020. At the time, council directed staff to initiate an online survey to solicit public feedback and report back to council.

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Around that time, three surveys were released to the public. The surveys were available through a pop-up booth in Vedder Park and online, and were promoted on social media, the city’s e-newsletter, and on the radio. The city received 733 responses from the three surveys.

Interestingly, the on-site survey found that 57.9 per cent of respondents strongly approved or somewhat approved the concept of allowing liquor consumption in designated spaces. The on-site survey found that 26.31 per cent of respondents were strongly opposed to alcohol consumption, and 15.79 per cent were neutral.

The preliminary online survey was available for feedback from August 5-23, 2020. However, only 40 per cent of survey respondents strongly approved or somewhat approved the concept of allowing liquor consumption in designated park spaces. Approximately 54 per cent of online respondents strongly or somewhat opposed the concept of alcohol in public parks, and six per cent were neutral.

During the pilot project, the city’s bylaw department did not receive any complaints about public liquor consumption in either Vedder Park or Crossing Park. Similarly, the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP did not receive any field any calls or complaints about alcohol consumption in the designated parks.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Alcohol consumption coming back to Vedder Park for nearly six-month run

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