Enjoy a drink responsibly in our parks
As Burnaby grows, our parks are becoming the backyards for many in our community where access to outdoor spaces is limited.
Starting June 24, 2024, drinking alcohol is allowed year-round in City of Burnaby parks for adults (19+), except in restricted areas such as:
- playgrounds, spray pads, wading pools, outdoor pools, skate bowls or sport courts
- parking lots, washrooms and field houses
- playing fields (while in use) and artificial turf surfaces
- parks next to schools
- liquor-licensed areas and the festival lawn area at Deer Lake Park
- Burnaby Lake Regional Nature Park (serviced by Metro Vancouver Regional District)
Sharing park spaces safely and respectfully
- Please choose alternatives to glass containers where you can. Consider using non-breakable beverage containers and cups.
- Please don’t litter. We have recycling bins and garbage cans in all our parks and picnic areas. If they're full, please take your garbage and recyclable items with you.
- Make a plan to get home safely — walk, take transit, or have a designated driver. Please do not drink and drive.
Questions and answers
As Burnaby grows, fewer residents have a private outdoor space to gather and celebrate with family and friends. To give all our residents access to responsible outdoor socializing, we conducted a temporary pilot program for drinking alcohol in Burnaby parks from June to October 2023. During that time there was no notable increase in complaints of disruptive behaviour to City Bylaw Enforcement or to the RCMP.
Learn more about the pilot program and the feedback we received.
Outside alcohol is not permitted in liquor-licensed areas in parks during events.
Burnaby's parks are open to the public from dawn to dusk, seven days per week.
Please contact [email protected] or call 604-294-7206. For weekdays after 3:30 pm and on weekends, please call 604-294-7200.
Fraser Health provides resources on how drinking alcohol can affect your health.