Survey: Most Torontonians want marathons off the streets

The Toronto Star published an article today indicating that 55 per cent of Toronto residents would rather that the roads were not closed for marathons, parades or events, but rather that these events were held in enclosed areas, such as parks.

The poll was conducted through the random sampling of 1,182 Toronto residents.

What the Star failed to do, however, is further unpack the results of the survey, which was conducted by Forum Research.

The survey question was: ‘Do you approve or disapprove of having public festivals, marathons, marches and walkathons in city parks rather than closing city streets and expressways?’

This question in itself is misleading, as it implies to residents that these events could take place easily in another enclosed location. Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff has said that the survey shows that Toronto residents “see the utility of placing the multiple marathons and marches Toronto supports in parks like Exhibition Place or Downsview, where there is plenty of room and no traffic to impede.”

Downsview Park is 2.4K², which doesn’t exactly make for an exciting 42.2K route.

Furthermore, more than 50 per cent of those surveyed from areas outside of the downtown core, such as Scarborough were in favour of moving the marathon from the streets, yet less than 50 per cent of those who live downtown (where the marathon actually takes place) were in favour of moving. This suggests that the majority of those who actually experience the events enjoy the atmosphere they create within the city.

What also went unmentioned was the impact events like the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the World Pride Parade have on tourism in Toronto. Both events draw visitors from all over the world to the city, where they spend money at Toronto restaurants, stores and hotels, boosting the city’s economy. The Scotiabnk Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2014 alone will benefit three feature charities (LOFT Community Services, Giant Steps Toronto Inc and The Asthma Society of Canada) as well as 96 other official charities.

While it is all well and good to say that it would be better if these events didn’t halt traffic, the reality of the situation needs to be kept in perspective. Both of Toronto’s marathons, the World Pride Parade or the MuchMusic Video Awards would not be the events that they are if they did not take place on the streets of the city. You can bet that Toronto (and its economy) would miss them if they were gone.