Achi news desk-
With summer just around the corner, Collingwood resident Jonathan Hillis wants to relax alcohol restrictions in local parks.
“Seeing that Toronto had a successful pilot and that they are now looking to make it a permanent game in their parks, it made me think, why can’t we do it here in Collingwood,” Hillis said.
Hillis started a petition to get the town to consider allowing open alcohol in its public parks, and so far, it has received over 320 signatures.
“I think it will also allow us to get out and be more active as well. Get friends together and go to a Park, have some fun, play volleyball or football and then maybe sit down and have a drink,” he said.
Hillis recommends that the pilot be held in the town’s main parks, including Sunset Point Park, Millennium Park and Fisher Fields.
Mayor Yvonne Hamlin says it would be a big decision for the community but it is open to discussion.
“If there is interest in moving it forward, we would have to and want to have input from two main sources for us. One is our staff and also our community,” said Hamlin.
While the mayor says she understands why it would be a fun venture, she must consider the pros and cons.
“I guess I’m always looking at what are the problems that could come and how we prevent them and I think so much about safety,” he adds.
Still, Hillis believes Collingwood could set a great example for other municipalities considering the same.
“We have some responsible people who will know how to show young people what responsible drinking is like and come together as a community out in these parks, support each other and have some fun,” he said.
Hillis notes that once he gets a few more signatures on the petition, his next step is to meet with council members. He will either submit a written proposal in May or attend a personal delegation in June.
