/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
City News

Dear Urban Diplomat: I find the skateboarder memorial outside my building upsetting. What can I do?

By Urban Diplomat
Copy link
Urban Diplomat: Death to Death Memorial
(Image: mendhak)

Dear Urban Diplomat, A skateboarder was killed by a cab outside my building, and six months later, the sidewalk memorial is still there. I realize that this is not the politically correct thing to say, and I’m not a heartless troll, but I don’t want to be reminded of the awful event every day. It’s public space, not a graveyard. Short of dismantling it, what are my options? —Death to Death Memorials, King and Jarvis

Technically, you can call 311 and ask that the street cleaners take it down, but technically, that makes you a heartless troll. I went to check out the memorial, and it’s barely noticeable—just a sign and a small skateboard leaning against a sapling. You’re right that it’s public space—that simply means that every taxpayer owns a little piece of it, and I suspect most Torontonians would happily grant the family and friends extra claim to it while they grieve. If it brings you down, here’s a tip: avert your eyes.

Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat at urbandiplomat@torontolife.com

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for This City, our free newsletter about everything that matters right now in Toronto politics, sports, business, culture, society and more.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Big Stories

Trump's Loss, Toronto's Gain: Meet the artists, professors, scientists and other luminaries ditching the US and moving north
Deep Dives

Trump’s Loss, Toronto’s Gain: Meet the artists, professors, scientists and other luminaries ditching the US and moving north

Inside the Latest Issue

The May issue of Toronto Life features the artists, professors, scientists and other luminaries moving north to avoid the carnage of Trump. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.