Tobogganing has been banned from 45 hills across the city of Toronto over safety concerns, despite the outcry from some residents, including one city councillor who said the city has more pressing issues which it could be devoting its resources.
Brad Bradford, a city councillor who represents Beaches-East York, said that residents are capable of managing their own risk assessment when it comes to tobogganing.
Bradford said that the decision adds to the reputation of Toronto becoming a “no fun city,” that negates the needs of families.
“This is just nonsense,” Bradford told CBC News. “It’s the no fun city when you start seeing them cracking down on tobogganing, especially in a place that has decades of experience and a tradition of tobogganing.”
Among the hills affected by the ban is East Lynn Park on Danforth Avenue near Woodbine Avenue, a park located in Bradford’s ward. It has long since been a popular destination for tobogganers. Now the top of the hill has signs prohibiting people from making the most of the hill.
“The reality is there are going to be people tobogganing in East Lynn Park tomorrow,” said Bradford.
“We’re supposed to get 10 centimetres of snow overnight. That might include me and my daughter. It’s not a good use of time. It’s not a good use of resources. And again, this is why folks get cynical on the City of Toronto,” added Bradford.
While Bradford acknowledges concerns regarding liability, he said that the “all or nothing” approach takes away citizens’ autonomy around personal responsibility.
Bradford believes the city can find a more thoughtful approach to protecting the city from lawsuits.
The city released an email on Friday which listed the remaining toboggan hills located at 27 parks across Toronto.
The hills were chosen for having a clear path from top to bottom with no trees, obstacles or hazards. According to the email, the designated hills will be routinely inspected to maintain their safety.
“Tobogganing is not permitted at some hills because of hazards obstructing the slope, which render the hill unsafe for tobogganing,” reads the email.
“East Lynn Park was assessed using the toboggan hill inspection process and deemed unsafe due to several permanent obstacles and safety hazards onsite, including a staircase, wading pool, field house building, light poles and trees.”
Regarding the 45 hills where tobogganing is banned, the city noted that, “This value is dynamic and may change year-over-year depending on site conditions.”
Toronto implemented a toboggan hill inspection program in 2017.
“The city is responsible for ensuring its properties and any activities performed on its properties are reasonably safe,” reads the email.
Local resident, Troy Burtch, is a father of two who finds the ban “ridiculous.”
“If you’re going to go tobogganing, you know what you’re doing. You’re going down a hill on a piece of plastic and there’s potential for a broken arm or just a bruise. The kids have a great time here and we’ve been doing this since they were little,” said Burtch.
