Tobogganing And Sledding Safety IV Students

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., 716 Sherman Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2W 0W2

December XXVIIth, MMX

Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud

Dear David:

I have noticed here in Calgary that some of the kid tobogganing hills do not have guard railings on the sides where there is tree & forest growth. Arguably, a student aged kid, or a person of any age could theoretically slide down the hill on the side and get lost in these trees, severely injuring, or even knocking themself out &/or dying. Plus, not to mention the worry that they'd be putting their parent or guardian through wondering where they had gone off II. This is quite possible if a parent turns around II deal with another child or is consulting or chatting with kids and other parents on the hill.

It is my firm belief that we of course must deal in safety first, I would hate to see a child member of mine, or a any child IV that matter sliding down the side of the hill & get really hurt by a tree or other such foreign object. Not totally sure of the situation in Edmonton where I live, but I would like to see it made provincially mandatory that these adjutting out of the hill trees have guard rails put up: with say soft foam/plastic polymers that can be easily be replaced on the rails themselves so kids do have their heads hit a metal rail. Arguably, kids do not always bring their helmets, & most adults never wear any headgear. So preventing injuries to our students of the today & the future is very important.

Dodging & Weaving,

Rory

Source: The City Of Calgary, Parks Department.