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For example, Mount Pleasant, between the skytrain station construction with alarming noise pollution at all sorts of hours, the local eateries blast music along with booming cars & motorcycles without much in the way of mufflers. Then there are the patrons of the bars/eateries who tell me to move to a quieter part of town, when they stand outside the building yelling over one another.
This is a sensitive area. This would disturb the wildlife, and consequently, this will have an a detrimental emotional effect on the humans who go,there specifically for its serene, quiet, respectful natural atmosphere. Imagining o ly a best case scenario is not realistic. For those of us who don't drive, this is our special area where we respect the birds, nature, everything there. This would add more stress to people, rather than taking away stress. I previously lived near Blackie Spit, Crescent Beach, and it so disheartening to see privileged peopla acting irresponsibly there, and disregarding signage about respecting wildlife and delicate foreshore. Would drinking folks even control their dog as much..... Plus men urinating outdoors after some beers is not approprizte for that area and isn't really a family friendly thing.,
Places designated as part of the Alcohol in our Parks program, must be close to public washrooms that are open and maintained, and not proximate to park areas home to ducks and/or other wild life or to flora likely to be damaged by the anticipated activity. The Parks Board should also consider posting signs requesting visitors to respect whatever restrictions are necessary to preserve the park as a natural sanctuary.
if all the park users are quiet and sober all of us have a chance of being at peace and being free from fear of drunk people and the natural life has some chance of functioning. Just as whales are thrown off by undersea noise from freighters and other sources so too all the insects, birds, small and larger mammals including the human species of mammal.
In my earlier response, I concentrated on the adverse effects of drinking on the human park users but also wanted to emphasize the equally important need to protect wild animals in the Parks. Over the last two decades, an amazing range of wild animals has migrated into urban areas - many of them make their homes in our city parks. While there are over 200 parks in Vancouver, animals need a steady water supply so the major concentrations of wildlife occur in parks with large ponds - the Jericho ponds are a good example. These are the parks wheret the Park Board considers it safe to allow drinking. The animals in just the single example of Jericho, range from coyotes and beavers to racoons and bald eagles. These animals deserve our respect and protection and have just as much right to the parks as the rest of us. It is quite ridiculous to allow drinking to occur so close to these animals - several of which are protected under the Wildlife Act. Elvira Lount posted only too predictable examples of drunken idiots using the ponds as a toilet. There are many reasons why drinking should not be allowed in our parks. The most important of these is the need to ensure peace and protection for wild animals.
Vancouver's Parks are precious spaces where responsible, well behaved adults and children can relax and escape the pressures of modern city life. How on earth did the Park Board think that allowing youngsters to drink alcohol in parks would enhance the park experience for the non-drinking majority? A simple set of questions should make things clearer: 1. Is there a critical shortage of places to drink in the city? Obviously the answer is no. There is no need to open up park space . 2. Does alcohol make drinkers peaceful calm people who just wish to share the space with others? Another easy answer - no it doesn't. A portion of drinkers will be noisy and badly behaved. Does anyone need a reminder of the Stanley Cup riots? 3. Is there an urgent need to get more people into our parks? No, they are already crowded with people wanting to escape the rigours of lock-down. They are there for peace not to watch a bunch of drunks. There is no benefit from allowing drinking in parks and a long list of real potential problems. The risks are high and the benefits are zero so why proceed with a plan which is so obviously wrong headed? The bright sparks in the Park Board that decided overnight camping in the park was fine because they promise to leave the next morning, has managed to pass a rule that is even sillier. Why do we need a Park Board???
Diana Seear
1. Is there a critical shortage of places to drink in the city? Obviously the answer is no. There is no need to open up park space .
2. Does alcohol make drinkers peaceful calm people who just wish to share the space with others? Another easy answer - no it doesn't. A portion of drinkers will be noisy and badly behaved. Does anyone need a reminder of the Stanley Cup riots?
3. Is there an urgent need to get more people into our parks? No, they are already crowded with people wanting to escape the rigours of lock-down. They are there for peace not to watch a bunch of drunks.
There is no benefit from allowing drinking in parks and a long list of real potential problems. The risks are high and the benefits are zero so why proceed with a plan which is so obviously wrong headed? The bright sparks in the Park Board that decided overnight camping in the park was fine because they promise to leave the next morning, has managed to pass a rule that is even sillier. Why do we need a Park Board???
Mike and Diana Seear