Walk Toronto has written to the City of Toronto’s Executive Committee to support the “CaféTO” plan to encourage restaurant patios in curb lanes and retail plaza parking lots.
Walk Toronto noted that its primary concern is to ensure that the pedestrian clearway on sidewalks – an accessible 2.1 metres of open space where pedestrians can pass each other safely – is maintained. The CaféTO guidelines emphasize this issue but encroachment is always a danger and the City will need to be vigilant to ensure it is maintained.
Walk Toronto also reminded the City about the need for continuous sidewalk extensions on main streets with narrow sidewalks. Continuous extensions would be much more effective than the piecemeal extensions currently in place.
- Read Walk Toronto’s letter (PDF)
- See the agenda item “CaféTO – Increasing Outdoor Dining Space for Toronto Restaurants and Bars“
