Improving Winter Access to Toronto’s Parks for 2021-22

10th floor, West Tower, City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Attention: Matthew Green

Re: IE25.11 Improving Winter Access to Toronto’s Parks for 2021-22

Dear Chair Councillor McKelvie and Members, Infrastructure and Environment Committee,

This is to express the strong support of the Federation of North Toronto Residents Associations (FoNTRA) for the staff report and its recommendations, which we note will have financial implications for the 2022 Budget.

The proposal would have more facilities maintained during the winter, including more snow clearing on multi-use paths, and explore different snow clearing methods in environmentally sensitive areas, such as ravines, which cannot be salted due to the environmental impacts.

COVID has only increased the demand for winter access to Parks to walk and bike. Increasing access to parks and park facilities in winter will improve residents’ health and well-being, both physical and mental. Making our parks more accessible year-round will help people lead healthier, happier lifestyles.

Yours truly,

---

cc: Janie Romoff, Executive Director, Parks, Forestry and Recreation 
Donna Kovachis, Interim Director, Parks
Ann-Marie Nasr, Director, Parks Development and Capital Projects