Big changes could be on the horizon for the rules governing Toronto’s parks, as well as the availability of food and drinks in the city’s public green spaces.
A motion that will go before Toronto city council next week asks city staff to report back with recommendations on how to update Toronto’s park bylaws, and look into options to provide more food and beverages in parks.
The motion, humourously titled “Time for Outdated Park Rules to Touch Grass,” was submitted by Coun. Josh Matlow (Toronto-St. Paul’s), in reference to the popular phrase “touch grass” which means to spend more time outdoors, in real life.
Earlier this month, Matlow told TorontoToday he was inspired to look into updating park rules after a resident sent him a photo of bylaws posted at Sunnybrook Park in Leaside.
The list includes a ban on playing with balls and frisbees without a permit, as well as flying kites, and orders cyclists to dismount on hills.
“Just these ridiculous things that don't make any sense,” Matlow said at the time.
Some of Toronto’s park by-laws are truly bizarre & need to go. Along with requiring a permit to throw a frisbee, there are by-laws that prohibit kids from climbing trees & make a point of banning us from cursing or landing a hot air balloon in a park- there goes my Sunday plans:) pic.twitter.com/QFRZIY3tXZ
— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) March 30, 2025
While kite-flying isn’t prohibited in all Toronto parks, city bylaws allow for kites to be restricted where signage is posted.
As for playing with balls and frisbees, city staff confirmed the bylaw in question “is meant to refer to organized sports or activities,” not individual play.
But these aren’t the only eyebrow-raising bylaws in the city’s books.
Climbing trees, using “profane” language and gathering more than 25 people without a permit are all prohibited under the municipal code governing Toronto’s parks.
Matlow’s motion requests that city staff identify bylaws that “unfairly restrict residents from the full enjoyment of our parks” so they can be removed.
Additionally, the motion asks city staff to report back on how to increase food and beverage access in parks, including an assessment of how to operate such businesses and from where.
“Cities around the world establish kiosks and small cafes that provide enjoyable meeting places for residents to congregate,” the motion reads. “There is inspiration from around the world that Toronto can draw on to offer a more enjoyable experience in our parks.
The motion suggests Toronto parks could be better served with “small huts serving hot chocolate and coffee adjacent to outdoor rinks” or “kiosks serving sandwiches surrounded by picnic tables.”
