Council votes to change Toronto's controversial sled ban

Even with the snow, sledding was not possible on many hills in Toronto, but that may soon change.

Councilman Brad Bradford (Beach-East York) will introduce a motion to the City Council on Wednesday that, if passed, would lift the ban on sledding on 45 hills across the city.

“It caused the national embarrassment of banning sledding in Toronto, and we got the name 'boring city,'” Bradford said.

On January 14 The city banned sledding in parks it deemed “dangerous.” citing unclear roads that could put winter event participants at risk of injury due to trees, potholes, trails and fences blocking them.

East Lynn Park, which is a ward of Bradford and has been a hot spot for sledding in recent years, is one of the many hills where sledding is currently restricted. The Beaches-East York councilor has since launched a petition which has garnered more than 500 signatures from residents supporting his proposal.

“We found language to repeal the ban, restore safety measures, and if staff have a bright idea to re-impose a sledding ban, make sure they come to council and ask for permission first,” Bradford said.

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CityNews spoke to some local residents who strongly oppose the ban, with one woman urging officials to “let kids be kids.”

“I am 50 years old. “I did a lot of things when I was young, and I'm alive to tell about it,” said the woman. “I think we need to relax and start enjoying life. Don't they let kids be kids? We've just come out of a pandemic where kids aren't allowed to be kids.”

Mayor Olivia Chow seconded Bradford's proposal.

“We just have to tell people to be careful,” Chow said.

In 2017, the city implemented a sledding hill inspection program in which city staff inspected common sledding hills and posted signs indicating sledding hazards. The city also said the number of prohibited and designated sledding hills is “dynamic” and the number can change from year to year depending on site conditions.

Bradford's proposal would see new signs with what the consultant calls common-sense language, informing the public of potential hazards and warning of designated sledding hills in the city.

The proposal also calls for the reinstatement of grass lawns, a previously used safety measure, and requires provincial and local governments to develop a plan to address municipal liability issues related to the use of city property for recreational activities.

A full list of hills considered safe in the city, as well as safety tips, can be found here. toronto.ca/tobogganing.

With files from Haley McGoldrick of CityNews