Save Toronto's DIY Skatepark

The Issue

Toronto skateboarders have turned a derelict dead end corner into a thriving community DIY skatepark. Local businesses who support the initiative have informed the builders that City has plans to demolish the structure.

Permanent DIY skateparks have become essential community fixtures in Montreal, Vancouver, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and various other cities. They are international cultural hubs and Toronto is missing out.

The park has spawned a community skateboarders who are dedicated to taking care of the space and integrating into the community. 

Watch this video to hear directly from the community https://youtu.be/i8-uKT0tCrg

Please send emails in support to City Councillor Ana Bailão and Provincial Offences Officer Construction Activities Wojtech Goral

councillor_bailao@toronto.ca
wgoral@toronto.ca

avatar of the starter
Toronto SkateboardersPetition Starter
Media inquiries
This petition had 1,065 supporters

The Issue

Toronto skateboarders have turned a derelict dead end corner into a thriving community DIY skatepark. Local businesses who support the initiative have informed the builders that City has plans to demolish the structure.

Permanent DIY skateparks have become essential community fixtures in Montreal, Vancouver, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and various other cities. They are international cultural hubs and Toronto is missing out.

The park has spawned a community skateboarders who are dedicated to taking care of the space and integrating into the community. 

Watch this video to hear directly from the community https://youtu.be/i8-uKT0tCrg

Please send emails in support to City Councillor Ana Bailão and Provincial Offences Officer Construction Activities Wojtech Goral

councillor_bailao@toronto.ca
wgoral@toronto.ca

avatar of the starter
Toronto SkateboardersPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Councillor Ana Bailao
Councillor Ana Bailao
City Councillor
Responded
“Dear Neighbours, Thank you for taking the time to contact me with respect to the skatepark that was been built on the public right-of-way and roadway at the west terminus of Paton Rd (west of Wade Ave). Upon being notified of this structure approximately a week ago by a community member and City staff, I sought greater clarification on the rules surrounding the building of the skatepark and the possibility of keeping it. City staff have advised that this construction/encroachment is not permitted as it is in direct contravention of the City's Street Bylaw Chapter 743. City staff have expressed serious safety and liability issues with having concrete ramping structures on the City's right-of-way/road allowance. Furthermore, the City had concerns with the lack of permeability in the area between the railway fencing and the roadway where cement has covered dirt, increasing water runoff into the sewer system and negatively affecting drainage patterns in the area. With the ramping, there are also concerns about people being able to climb the fence and be able to easily enter the rail corridor. In the medium term, this area will also form a new pedestrian connection between both sides of the rail corridor as part of Metrolinx's Davenport Diamond Grade Separation Project. While I understand that some people will be disappointed with the decision of City staff to enforce existing by-laws and I myself am surprised with how quickly City staff removed the structure, I want you to know that I am always willing to work with community members on enhancing our public spaces as we have done in many other parts of our community. However, it is important to note that we need to work together as a community well in advance of any installation in public spaces so that we can obtain the necessary approvals and meet City requirements to ensure the health and safety of the public. I have also been in touch with the group that constructed the skatepark and will be convening a meeting with them and Parks & Recreation staff to see how we can harness their energy and utilize their talents to fulfil their needs in our community. I would like to let you know that a newly created Toronto Skateboard Strategy will be voted on at City Council later this week which aims to incorporate policy, operating and capital plans to better support skateboarding in Toronto. I look forward to supporting this Strategy. The Strategy will inform the 20-year Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan (2017-2036) which will identify additional skatepark facilities to be constructed with associated funding as part of the City's 10-year capital plan. It was developed in consultation with the Toronto Skateboarding Committee which is a stakeholder and advisory group that consists of skateboarding activists, and incorporated additional input from surveys and youth consultation to better understand how skateparks are being used and what should be included in the Strategy. You can read the strategy here: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-97300.pdf Thank you again for contacting me and I hope that you have a wonderful rest of the week. Sincerely, Ana Bailão City Councillor Ward 18, Davenport”

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Petition created on November 5, 2016