March 11, 1999

To:Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council

From:Gary Welsh, Director, Transportation Services, Works and Emergency Services, District 4

Subject:Installation of "No Ball Playing" Signs

Purpose:

To comment on the installation of "No Ball Playing" signs on roads in District 4 (Scarborough).

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not Applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that the previous practice in Scarborough of not installing signs on streets to state the blanket prohibition of road sports be continued in the Scarborough Community Area.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At the Community Council meeting on October 14, 1998, Councillor Ashton submitted a memorandum requesting that staff revisit our policy with regard to the installation of "No Ball Playing" signs. In District 4, we do not install these signs on any of our roads.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Over the past few years we have received requests for signs to be placed on Scarborough roads that state that no sports (ie. ball hockey, basketball) are allowed on the street. In our Traffic and Parking By-Law No. 23503, it states "No person shall play or take part in any game or sport upon a roadway.....". As such, it is illegal to play any sport on a road.

As is the case with most of the general regulations contained at the start of this by-law (eg. riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, parking 3 metres from a fire hydrant), signs are not required. Staff are concerned that if signs are posted on one road, such as Butterworth Avenue, the public may assume that playing sports is permitted on any road unless these signs are posted (eg. Scotia Avenue). The installation of signs on every street would be extremely expensive because each sign costs approximately $100.00 to manufacture and install. Therefore, staff have repeatedly recommended against posting these signs at any location.

The Toronto Police Service can enforce the by-law which prohibits playing any game or sport on a roadway without the signs. However, this is not considered a high priority and typically the police, if receiving a complaint, will request that the children, or adults, playing on the road to desist. We have confirmed with the police that they receive very few complaints in this regard in Scarborough.

Typically, the enforcement of this by-law is not popular with some residents living on the street. Many residents who were raised in urban areas in Canada participated in sports on low volume streets. It is for this reason, particularly with street hockey, that many residents feel it is part of Canadian tradition.

On the other hand, staff do get a few complaints about sports on streets. Some children and adults playing these sports can become boisterous as well as cause damage to private property. Complaints are also received regarding the noise associated with the sports, for example, the sound of a bouncing basketball late in the evening can be disturbing to other residents who may be relaxing or trying to sleep.

Staff are of the opinion that it is important to retain the appropriate wording in the by-law to prohibit games or sports from taking place on the road. Considering the few complaints that are received by the police regarding this issue, the current situation of enforcement on request is appropriate, with the police determining the importance based on the circumstances and their own priorities.

To gain a city-wide perspective on this issue, we surveyed municipalities in the former Metropolitan Toronto to appreciate their experience. The following table outlines the procedures in the six municipalities:

Staff of the three former municipalities which do install these signs report that, after the signs are installed, they often receive calls from residents who are upset that these signs have been erected. It is for this reason that the former City of Toronto and former City of North York ask for the written concurrence of the area Councillor before the signs are erected.

Conclusions:

Considering the low profile that the playing of sports on Scarborough Community Area roads presently enjoys, and the cost associated with installing signs, staff recommend that the current practice of not installing "No Ball Playing" signs be continued in the Scarborough Community Area.

Contact Name:

Bruce Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Engineering, Works and Emergency Services

Telephone: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

E-mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca

Gary H. Welsh

Director

Transportation Services

Works and Emergency Services

District 4

BDC:ca

D98-122