Fulfilling a 'Half-Pipe' Dream: Request to Install a Skateboarding Pad in Christie Pits - by Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy

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The decision

2020-10-27 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on October 27, 28 and 30, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to work toward the installation of a skate spot in alignment with the City's Skateboard Strategy in an area in Christie Pits to be jointly identified by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation

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to apply necessary funding through the use of available Section 37 and 42 contributions and to incorporate as appropriate in 2021 Capital Plan and Budget.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Since the summer of 2018, residents have installed a do-it-yourself skate park within the Sid Smith Rink in Christie Pits. The success of this skate park has been immense. People of all ages and ability flock to the rink to participate in their favourite recreational activity and spend time with friends and others. The rink has also become the go-to place for women and youth because they feel safest within this space.

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Unfortunately, the popularity of the rink is causing disruptions with local residents as their houses are subjected to the noise of skateboards hitting concrete for almost 12 hours a day. Parks Operations staff, my office, those involved in the Christie Pits DIY skate park, and local residents have been meeting for the last three months to try and get a better handle on the noise, but with limited success due to the acoustics created by the rink boards and positioning of the rink. This amenity and its use is too great to lose for any extended period of time. With construction in Dufferin Grove and Wallace-Emerson ongoing for at least another year, options for skating in the area are substantially reduced. Providing a concrete pad in a designated area within Christie Pits to be determined jointly by the Councillor's office and Parks staff will ensure that the concerns of residents - who remain steadfastly supportive of the use, but not of the current location - can be addressed while providing a space within the same Park to continue to skate.

Staff recommended

Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy, recommends that: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to work toward the installation of a skate spot in alignment with the City's Skateboard Strategy in an area in Christie Pits to be jointly identified by the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the local Councillor's office. 2. City Council request that the work in Part 1 above be completed before the end of the second quarter of 2021.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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