For six years, the Cacciatore family’s front lawn echoed with the joyful sounds of kids playing basketball and hockey. A simple net, carefully positioned, became the heart of neighborhood fun, a beacon drawing children away from screens and into the fresh air.
Then came the summons. A stark notice from the City of Toronto demanding the removal of the nets, citing interference with snow removal and waste collection. It wasn’t a request, but a threat – escalating fines and potential legal action loomed over a family who simply wanted to provide a safe space for play.
Tony Cacciatore, father of three, is baffled. The net has been in the same spot since 2019, never causing an issue. He deliberately placed it to avoid obstructing city services and to keep younger players safely within the driveway. Now, he faces bureaucratic hurdles for encouraging an active lifestyle.
The city maintains the area between the sidewalk and road – the “right of way” – must remain clear for essential services. Sports nets are permitted *during* use, but must be removed immediately after. The rule, however, feels disproportionate, especially when compared to other tolerated situations within the city.
Neighbors report receiving similar notices, sparking a sense of disbelief. Many quietly observe that enforcement seems far more vigorous when it comes to children’s games than to more significant issues plaguing the city. Concerns are growing that the city’s priorities are misplaced.
The situation has ignited a quiet outrage. It’s a stark contrast to the city’s response to other issues – a recent, publicly funded trip abroad, for example, or instances of disruptive behavior that receive a more lenient response. The Cacciatores feel singled out, penalized for a harmless activity.
The family isn’t asking for special treatment, just common sense. A simple grandfathering of the existing nets, or a reasonable compromise, would resolve the issue. Instead, they face the possibility of escalating legal fees, a chilling threat that feels deeply unfair.
This isn’t simply about a basketball net and a hockey goal. It’s about a city’s relationship with its residents, a question of priorities, and a growing sense that everyday families are being burdened by unnecessary and heavy-handed enforcement.
The incident raises a troubling question: in a city grappling with complex challenges, is this where valuable resources should be focused? Is the joy of children playing truly an obstruction that demands such forceful intervention?
