$5,000 Fine For Tobogganing In Hamilton?

Over the weekend, I was sent a change.org petition titled “LET US TOBOGGAN!!!!”. Usually I discard these petitions because most are incorrect, and even when they have legitimate information. Online petitions are not effective.

With that headline I decided to do some research and found out that not only is the petition correct, the bylaw goes much further than tobogganing!

Bylaw 01-029 was passed by Hamilton city council in 2001 and states the following when it comes to activities in city parks.

Hamilton city bylaw 01-029

Sport or Activities

While in any park, no person shall:
(a) arrange or engage in an organized sport or activity, unless
authorized by permit; or

(b) interfere with an organized sport or activity authorized by permit.
In addition to the prohibitions set out in subsection (1), while in any park, no
person shall utilze a designated area without a permit where same is
posted to prohibit or restrict such use.

No person shall, while in a park, take part in any game, sport or activity
except within an area specifically set aside for that game, sport or activity.

Skiing, Tobogganing and Sledding

No person shall downhill ski, toboggan, snowboard, ski bob or sled in any area park unless otherwise posted to allow same.
No person shall cross country ski in any area park that has been posted to
prohibit same.

Roller Skates and Skateboards

While in any park, no person shall:

(a)operate or utilze skate boards, traditional roller skates, in-line or
linear skates, scooters or like conveyances where signs are posted
to prohibit or otherwise restrict the use of same; or,

(b) obstruct, inconvenience or endanger other users of the park while
operating or utilzing skate boards, traditional roller skates or in-line
or linear skates, scooters or like conveyances.
While in a park, no person shall fail to give way to the right while operating
or utilizing a skate board, traditional roller skates, in-line or linear skates, a
scooter or a like conveyances on any trail, path or roadway.

While in a park, no person while operating or utilizing a skate board,
traditional roller skates, in-line or linear skates, a scooter or a like
conveyance shall fail to yield the right of way to any other person or persons
travellng on foot.

While in a park, no person while operating or utilizing a skate board,
traditional roller skates, in-line or linear skates, a scooter or a like
conveyance shall fail give an audible warning when overtaking and passing
any other person.

While in a park, no person while travellng together with another person or
persons, at any time, whether on foot or otherwise, may do so in such a
manner as to occupy more than 50% of the width of any path or traiL.
While in a park, no child of 16 years of age or less shall fail to wear a proper
Canadian Standards Association approved bicycle helmet while riding a
bicycle.

While in a park, no person having a child of 16 years of age or less under
their care shall allow said child to ride a bicycle except when wearing a
proper Canadian Standards Association approved bicycle helmet.

While in a park, no child of 16 years of age or less shall fail to wear a proper
Canadian Standards Association approved helmet while riding on or using
rollerskates, in-line skates, scooters, skate boards or like conveyances.

While in a park, no person having a child of 16 years of age or less under
their care shall allow said child to ride on or use rollerskates, in-line skates,
scooters, skate boards or like conveyances except when wearing a proper
Canadian Standards Association approved helmet