Ottawa to install fencing at Mooney's Bay hill to discourage tobogganing this winter
The city of Ottawa has concluded the hill at Mooney's Bay Park is not safe for sledding, and will install "robust temporary seasonal fencing" to discourage people from tobogganing this winter.
Eleven months after an 11-year-old girl died in a tobogganing accident at the popular hill in Ottawa, the city released a review of the incident and follow-up actions to improve safety at Mooney's Bay and other tobogganing hills across the city.
Josée Abi Assal was tobogganing with her family on Dec. 27 when the sled she was on slammed into a pole at the bottom of the hill. The girl died from her injuries in hospital.
Following the incident, city staff installed barricades, padding for trees and signage at the hill, and performed a review of the Mooney's Bay sledding area. Mooney's Bay Hill was removed from the list of approved sledding hills in 2017, and signage was posted at the top and the bottom of the hill to indicate sledding is prohibited.
In a memo to council, Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services general manager Dan Chenier says following the death of the child, a Municipal Risk Assessment (MRA) was conducted in January, a risk analysis was performed and staff prepared a final report.
"Which concluded that due to the size and steep slope of the hill, along with the multitude of hazards found at the bottom of every area of the hill, there is no area of the hill that offers an acceptable level of risk for sledding use," Chenier said.
Chenier tells council that the city will install "robust temporary seasonal fencing" at Mooney's Bay this winter to discourage sledding.
In addition to the review by the external consultant, a Regional Coroner's Review was conducted, and submitted five recommendations to the city following the fatal tobogganing accident.
Chenier says an internal working group of employees, using all the information that had been gathered and the coroner's recommendations, conducted a comprehensive review, with the goal of broadly examining the sledding program and to look to improve safety.
A list of 10 recommendations has been developed, which Chenier says has the goal to "minimize the reoccurrence of similar incidents, and enhance, when reasonably feasible, the overall safety of the sledding hill program" in the city. The recommendations will be implemented for the winter, with the exception of amendments to the Parks and Facilities Bylaw, which requires council approval.
Here is the list of the 10 recommendations, which includes fencing at Mooney's Bay Hill.
- Issue a 'No Sledding Advisory' during periods of inclement weather
- Amendments to the Parks and Facilities Bylaw to permit sledding only in designated areas of municipal parks
- Develop standardized protective measure equipment, products and materials for enhancing safety
- Undertake an annual review and refresh of sledding hill information on GeoOttawa and Ottawa.ca
- Implement comprehensive protective measures at unapproved hills where sledding is known to occur
- Conduct annual inspections on all approved hills
- Create a descriptor system for sledding hills on Ottawa.ca that indicates the calibre of the hill and provides updates on conditions and what to watch out for
- Install robust temporary seasonal fencing at Mooney's Bay to discourage sledding
- Partner with Ottawa Public Health to create an annual safe sledding marketing campaign
- Deploy helmet use signs at all approved sledding hill locations
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.