MB Toronto
Morning Brew: Matlow fights hockey ban, Port Lands report delayed, a Brampton alligator, Toronto Islands access issues, and Toronto to get a "Before I Die" wall
It might be Canada's pastime but hockey and other ball games have been banned on many residential Toronto streets for several years under threat of a $55 fine. Councillor Josh Matlow wants to rescind the harsh bylaw on streets where it is generally safe for kids to play, but other councillors say Matlow is creating a solution where there isn't a problem because the law is so rarely enforced. Should kids just continue to ignore the rules or do we need to figure out a way of making street hockey safer?
We won't know how city staff and Waterfront Toronto plan to boost development and increase parkland at the mouth of the Don River until fall due to delays announced this morning. The setback could be a sign a casino is starting to factor into the plans to revitalize the inner harbor and surrounding area (let's hope not, though).
What has pointy teeth, a long tail, and lives in the burbs. That's right - a backyard alligator! Surprised Elliott Street residents in Brampton found the three-foot, steely-eyed death machine hanging out in a shady backyard Sunday and quickly called animal services - but not before snapping a few pictures. The authorities successfully wrangled the creature and brought it to Indian River Reptile Zoo for a health evaluation.
Should we scrap the Toronto Island ferries in favor of a fixed link for pedestrians and cyclists? Speaking to the CBC, columnist John Lorinc says the frequent delays could put people off enjoying the vibrant, outdoor space. One solution would be to make tunnels at the east and western ends of the Islands to create a loop. What are your thoughts?
Toronto will join Kazakhstan, Montreal and Portugal this summer when a "Before I Die" wall is erected by New Orleans-based creative studio Civic Center. The large chalkboard encourages users to complete the sentence "Before I die..." with their wishes, regrets and other words of wisdom. No word yet on where the art installation will go.
Nick Wallenda - the tightrope walker planning to cross Niagara Falls next month - could be attacked by nesting falcons during his attempt according to wildlife experts. Jeepers.
Today in Toronto Tumblrs: Awful Front Yards, which isn't as awful as some of the other local efforts at humour of late - even if the title over-promises a bit.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"All these kids were hanging out, all gang-banging and everything that was happening at night time, so I went there and sponsored a league."
Doug Ford should probably work on his street slang while he's sponsoring a new basketball league at a Toronto Community Housing complex. Rob Ford, the councillor's brother, is also a fan of sport in the community and coaches football at Don Bosco High School in Etobicoke.
IN OTHER NEWS:
- Rays get the best of Blue Jays in extra innings [National Post]
- Toronto FC wins Canadian championship [The Star]
- Family of boy killed by TTC bus blames understaffing, police planning [Globe and Mail]
- University of Toronto student pays back $114,000 of loans with duffel bag of cash [National Post]
Photo: "Cut & Shave" by Dominic Bugatto in the BlogTO Flickr pool.
Discussion
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I wish they were as expert in, say, Dutch urban planning terms or transit modal technologies. Such is not the case.
Even better why not just fill in the harbour with all the dross from the condo building sites? Then you would have parking for the visitors so you wouldn't even need the tunnels!
And for God's sake get a better proof reader or an actual editor. What the hell does this mean?
"The authorities successfully wrangled the creature and bought it Indian River Reptile Zoo for a health evaluation" So the authorities bought an entire zoo just to give the alligator a health evaluation. Proud day for all journalism grads everywhere Chris.
Ornery falcons = ratings gold
No wonder it hasn't happened.
1) Paving your front yard with interlocking bricks is not a Toronto phenomenon.
2) It's a European thing.
3) I'm guessing these photos we're all taken on one street in Corso Italia
4) Why haven't you featured my awful front yard in Corso Italia?
Why build a set of criteria identifying appropriate streets (
Why build a set of criteria identifying appropriate streets (less than 40 km/h & less than 1000 vehicles/hour), and then still make people apply for a permit? Streets that meet those criteria should be treated as public space rather than car sewers anyway.
Why not just update the City's Road Classification System with that as a category, and make it searchable online so residents can easily check their street, and so councillors and City staff can reuse that information for other projects?
Thanks for the constructive criticism. Maybe one day I'll live the dream and write for a website behind a paywall.
Who wants to be held liable the first time a cyclist or motorist comes along and puts a kid in a wheelchair?
The underwriters would never allow it. Expect the status quo to stick.
Casino in the Port Lands? Don't they have to clean up the ground first before anything but industrial can go in there? I just don't see any casino company committing that much money. Why can't the casino go up at Woodbine? That's the only place Toronto residents universally want it, and casinos make their money from the problem gamblers who will go there no matter the scenery. We don't need to sell off the little of our public waterfront we have left.