Estimated costs to build shade structures in Jack Purdie Park and Toddy Jones Park has caused town council to balk at building them, as they are turning to more traditional and cheaper ways to get shade instead.
Town council will have a Toronto shade bylaw brought back to them for review and will also investigate possible grant funding from the Canadian Dermatology Association for permanent structures. Council also authorized five larger stock trees be planted in each of the two parks. Also requested was more dialogue with those with disabilities and their caregivers.
The three options that were presented to town council contained costs ranging from $90,000 to $200,000, depending what option was taken, but council simply received the report without agreeing to any of them.Councillor Diane Pouget made the motion, thanking delegate Linda Saxon for her input on the matter. The Toronto shade bylaw and the grant program through the Canadian Dermatology Association were part of Saxon’s delegation at Monday night’s council meeting as was further consultation. Her motion followed a motion from Councillor Linden Crain to simply receive the administrative report.
Saxon said the administration report concentrates on shade structures instead of shade options, which would include trees. She pointed out council has declared 2025 “The Year of the Tree” to highlight their role in providing shade.
Children would be able to play more comfortably if playground equipment were shaded, she noted.
“According to the World Health Organization, staying in the shade, especially during midday hours, is one of the best ways to eliminate UV exposure from sunlight. Incorporating shade into playground designs can make them more inclusive,” said Saxon.
Saxon said if shade structures were installed in Jack Purdie Park as illustrated in the administrative report, it would leave an isolate swing furthest from the structure and would not be inclusive. She pointed out statements made previously by Mayor Michael Prue about the town becoming more AODA compliant and a commitment to become complaint with the accessibility act.
“For quite some time, I have advocated for a stronger commitment to accessibility so I appreciate the acknowledgements that validates my criticism. I urge you to to exceed the AODA minimum standards if we are to become an inclusive community,” Saxon told town council.
Calls to action issued by Saxon called for “meaningful consultation” with persons with disabilities and caregivers on their needs.
“Even if you decide it’s not required, you have a moral and ethical obligation to do so,” she said. “Adopt the principle of ‘Nothing Without Us’ which means persons with disabilities should be consulted when developing laws, policies and programs that impact them.”
Saxon added that Cancer Care Ontario states local municipalities should promote and implement policies and programs including strong shade policies that reduce UV exposure. She said Toronto’s shade policy was first of its kind in Canada when adopted in 2007.
Pouget thanked Saxon and said “you taught me a lot,” noting one of the things she learned was that Toronto had a shade policy.
“I think it is something that we really should look into,” said Pouget.
Pouget added she learned about the Canadian Dermatology Association grant program, and “that would be useful for us” to apply for permanent shade structures. She added she was concerned with the costs listed in the report from director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon, as well as the fact some estimates came from companies in the United States.
“I would not, at this time, recommend council deal with a U.S. company given the fact of all the threats being made on our country,” said Pouget, in reference to proposed tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Baillargeon said staff was asked to bring back options on shade structures in parks, though Baillargeon acknowledged there is a need for more tree planting. She said soil conditions sometimes don’t allow trees to survive “without help” such as additional fertilizing, adding additive to the soil and additional watering.
“Soils do vary throughout the community but there’s all kinds of different options for shade. Trees do enhance the parks, no doubt about it,” said Baillargeon.
Councillor Molly Allaire suggested structures on the playgrounds to help cover existing playground equipment with Baillargeon stating it is an option that could be a possibility. Allaire asked if it would be just as expensive, with Baillargeon stating it would have to go through the town’s procurement process.
Crain said he believed there were cheaper ways to get shade in parks.
“At the costs that were mentioned in the report, I wouldn’t support us proceeding with it to the tune of $200,000 when there are many other competing parks projects,” said Crain.
Crain added the town is going through a parks master plan update which could touch on items such as this.Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb also didn’t want to spend the money on shade structures.
“I just don’t think now is the time to commit more money or send a message to staff that we are looking to commit more money. We still have challenges maintaining and repairing the equipment we have in our parks today,” said Gibb. “Council has a commitment out there to spend in excess of $500,000 on basketball and tennis courts.”Gibb added he had concerns over the costs the structures would have on the asset management plan, noting they would have cost $7,000-$18,000 per year increase to the tax levy to maintain them.“While this would be a ‘nice to have,’ I certainly don’t consider it a ‘need to have’ at this time,” said Gibb. “Until we get our parks to the point where the maintenance is cover, that’s as far as I could go.”
Councillor Peter Courtney believed the “price point was a little outrageous,” stating he spoke with someone who specializes in shade structures.
“I agree with all of my council peers that we have to get thrifty, resourceful and creative with funding things like this,” he said.
Courtney suggested naming rights and private sponsorships and also praised Saxon’s mentioning of a grant program. CAO Valerie Critchley later noted the Canadian Dermatology Association grant is awarded to a maximum of five municipalities as a matching grant of up to $7,500 from each of the association and the town.
“I think we need to take our time to figure out how to bring this price point down,” said Courtney. “I think there are options here. I will support moving receipt (of the report) but I think this needs to be further investigated.”
Courtney said he was also “intrigued” by Pouget’s follow-up motion that was subsequently approved. He said kids play soccer and baseball in the sun, stating shade structures would be more for parents to get out of the sun.
“There’s a little confusion for the need for shade structures, in my opinion,” he said.
Pouget said her motion would not cost the town money and give feedback on how to ensure they get shade and AODA compliance. The money for the five large shade trees in each of the two parks would come from the town’s tree planting budget.
Town council balks at shade structure costs - larger trees coming instead
By Ron Giofu
Comments