The Editor:
Re: Booze in Port Moody parks hits a hiccup (Aug. 3, 2022)
I have just read the article in your Aug. 11 paper about the problems shared by a resident with allowing alcohol consumption in Port Moody parks.
I wholeheartedly agree with that resident that allowing drinking of alcohol in any Tri-Cities parks is going to cause more problems than it is worth.
I live in Coquitlam and I wrote to mayor and council saying I strongly disagreed with allowing this practice in our parks.
It will certainly cause more litter in the parks and possibly cause disruptive behavior by those drinking that could affect others in the parks that are there to just enjoy the outdoors.
The comment by the Port Moody parks manager that the Port Moody Police did not object to the new bylaw doesn't mean they were even aware of the upcoming change because if they were aware I am sure they would have found valid reasons to object to it.
And saying that other municipalities have adopted allowing drinking alcohol in some of their parks is not a valid reason for just going along with what they are doing.
In my opinion, drinking in parks is a recipe for trouble and should not be allowed in any Tri-Cities parks if you want them to be safe and enjoyable for all those who use them.
Thank goodness, in Port Moody and in Coquitlam, they are just testing out this new bylaw until next spring and hopefully both municipalities will reconsider whether allowing drinking alcohol in our parks is a good idea or not.
- Jeannine Silvestrone, Coquitlam
