Response to Information Request Related to Solid Waste Trucks for IE22.5 - Authorized Vehicles in Parks Report

In most parks, waste can be collected without entering the park or by staying on paved pathways within the park. In certain situations, Solid Waste Management Services operators are required to temporarily drive off the paved surfaces to access waste bins and / or to avoid pedestrians and cyclists using the paved paths. In 186 parks (15.8 per cent of total parks serviced), waste station locations require operators to travel outside of paved pathways for waste collection. The majority of turf repairs due to solid waste trucks are minor to medium in scale. The estimated cost from the Parks and Recreation budget for a minor repair is approximately $500, for a medium repair approximately $1000, and for a large repair approximately $2500 or more. There are very few instances of large-scale turf damage in parks. Solid Waste Management Services and Parks and Recreation continue to work together on new park designs to minimize or eliminate the need for waste collection vehicles to travel off paved pathways.