Vancouver's Park Board has approved a motion to put free public WiFi into the city's parks and beaches, and a timeline and budget for the implementation will be developed by park board staff and the city's chief digital officer ().

"We want to expand on the city's digital strategy, which talks about public Wi-Fi being an option across the city," said Trevor Loke, the board's commissioner, who tabled the motion. "I think it is important that the park board be a part of that.

"We also think it is important look at partnerships with private enterprise that are providing these options, that we can work with them on potential roll outs. So we want to consider all options."

If you've wanted an easier, cheaper way to upload your beach shots to Instagram or Facebook, it seems you may soon be in luck.

Of course, if the beach or your favourite park bench was a mobile-free haven, you may have lost your social excuse.

MAP: Where free WiFi is currently available in Metro Vancouver

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