The City is bringing new soccer mini-pitches to parks across Toronto, creating more opportunities for people of all ages to play, learn and connect through sport. These new spaces are designed to be safe, inclusive and accessible, with locations selected based on equity needs, projected population growth, youth population and existing park amenities.
The timeline is subject to change. Construction across all parks is expected to take place around the same time.
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This project has been classified as a Consult project based on the International Association of Public Participation Spectrum. This means your input will help to confirm the location of a soccer mini-pitch within each park and the inclusion of any additional amenities to support their use.
From November 11 to December 12, an online survey collected 137 responses with feedback on the proposed mini-pitch location and supporting amenities as Apted Park.
The survey was advertised through social media, park signs, the Soccer For All mailing list, and the local Councillor’s office.
When asked how often they play soccer:
When asked to describe their skill level:
When asked how far they travel to get to Apted Park:
When asked how likely they would be to use the mini-pitch:
When asked to rank the following amenities to include around the mini-pitch, respondents ranked them in the following order:
In addition to four covered bleachers for spectators, respondents were asked to select their preferred seating types:
When asked what type of programming should be offered at the mini-pitch:
Of the 137 survey respondents, 54 (39 per cent) provided feedback on the proposed mini-pitch for Amesbury Park.
17 survey respondents opposing the proposed location of the mini-pitch in place of the existing baseball diamond. Of these respondents:
Other comments and considerations included:
From September 11 to 26, an online survey collected 284 responses with feedback on the proposed mini-pitch location and possible supporting amenities at Amesbury Park, Grandravine Park and Scarborough Village Park. The survey was advertised through social media, park signs, the project mailing list, and the local Councillor’s offices.
When asked how often they play soccer:
When asked to describe their skill level:
When asked how likely they would be to use the mini-pitch:
Of the 284 survey respondents, 160 (58 per cent) provided feedback on the proposed mini-pitch for Amesbury Park.
When asked how far they travel to get to Amesbury Park:
When asked to rank the following amenities to include around the mini-pitch, respondents ranked them in the following order:
In addition to four covered bleachers for spectators, respondents were asked to select their preferred seating types:
When asked what type of programming should be offered at the mini-pitch:
A total of 38 comments were received with additional considerations for the new mini-pitch in Amesbury Park.
Five respondents requested a larger facility, noting that there is a lack of full-size soccer facilities to support the large number of leagues in the area.
Several respondents noted that the community currently uses the bocci fields and the parking lot behind the community centre as informal recreation and gathering spaces.
Several respondents noted concerns about loitering, drug use and violence in the park, with suggestions to add bright lighting and emergency buttons to improve safety.
Programming suggestions included ensuring the mini-pitch remains open for community use, that programs offered are kept low-cost to improve community access, and to allow field time for local clubs in the area.
Mixed comments were provided about turf, with some preferring turf and others opposing it due to climate and health concerns.
Other design considerations included adding more trees for shade and noise mitigation, adding more water-filling stations, and considering a fence around the mini-pitch area and including a dome to facilitate year-round use.
Location and Design Preferences (nine comments):
Amenities and Infrastructure (eight comments):
Other Park Priorities (six comments):
Community Engagement (five comments):
Environmental and Wildlife Concerns (four comments):
Health and Turf Concerns (three comments):
Additional Suggestions (three comments):
Of the 284 survey respondents, 118 (43 per cent) provided feedback on the proposed mini-pitch for Grandravine Park.
When asked how far they travel to get to Grandravine Park:
When asked to rank the following amenities to include around the mini-pitch, respondents ranked them in the following order:
In addition to four covered bleachers for spectators, respondents were asked to select their preferred seating types:
When asked what type of programming should be offered at the mini-pitch:
A total of 29 comments were received with additional considerations for the new mini-pitch in Grandravine Park.
Several respondents shared concerns about increased traffic to the area and requested that additional parking be considered for the park.
A few respondents noted safety and loitering concerns, with one suggesting securing and scheduled closure times to improve user safety.
Two respondents requested that the facility be full accessible to people of all abilities.
Other design considerations included increasing the facility size to a full soccer field, adding more shade, more seating like picnic tables and benches, more lighting, and consider adding a dome to facilitate year-round use.
Of the 284 survey respondents, 26 (nine per cent) provided feedback on the proposed mini-pitch for Scarborough Village Park.
When asked how far they travel to get to Scarborough Village Park:
When asked to rank the following amenities to include around the mini-pitch, respondents ranked them in the following order:
In addition to four covered bleachers for spectators, respondents were asked to select their preferred seating types:
When asked what type of programming should be offered at the mini-pitch:
A total of three respondents provided comments with additional considerations for the new mini-pitch in Scarborough Village Park. These included comments noting:
The following parks will be the first to receive new soccer mini-pitches.
The new soccer mini-pitches are made possible by the Soccer for All Legacy Program, a long-term initiative using privately raised funds to build a more inclusive and equitable city through sport. The program aims to reduce barriers by creating safe, local play spaces in equity-deserving neighbourhoods, free programming that develops players, leaders and coaches, and pathways to training and employment in sport.