Solving traffic congestion by making things worse.
Plus, prioritizing fun and socialization in kids' sports.
Good Morning Markhamites
After a run of warmer weather, winter’s coming back around to remind us that it is, in fact, still February. Snow’s on the way today and will stick around most of the weekend. Why not take advantage and get the family out this weekend for a skate at one of Markham’s community rinks? If you need the reminder, schools are closed on Monday in observance of Family Day.
Today’s read time is about 4 minutes.
City of Markham wants to ease traffic by congesting a major thruway
There’s currently a petition that was spun out of a Feb 6 public info session on how to calm traffic in the area of Carl Road between Kennedy and McCowan.
According to the petition:
On Feb 6th, a public information centre session was held, and the proposal of reducing Carlton Rd (between McCowan Rd and Kennedy Rd) was shown to the public for the first time. Several options are discussed and preferred options are selected, but all options include a permanent reduction of available lanes from 4 to 2, effectively a 50% traffic volume capacity permanent cut.
While this move would decrease through traffic in the the neighbourhood and slow down traffic in a residential zone, many residents are unhappy given that this would require them to take Highway 7 or 16th Avenue, which they claim are already gridlocked due to overdevelopment.
Combine this with the Markville redevelopment just south of that and the region’s intended extension of the BRT dedicated lanes on Highway 7 across to the York Durham line; It’s.: about to get a lot harder to go anywhere in this city.
To read or sign the petition - Have a look here
Community Voice: Parents and Caregivers - Sport Should be FUN for Kids!!!
Editor’s note, We wanted to give Markhamites space to have their say and not just hear from me about council, developments or housing. A local subject matter expert provided this second piece. To contribute, send your pitch to TheMarkhamite@Substack.com
In our collective pursuit of balance, I want to address those of you with children engaged in sports. The essence of sports for kids should be to have FUN and include cultivating healthy relationships. Engaging in sports is not just about skill development; it is a journey that requires time, effort, and the acceptance of mistakes. Mastering physical and emotional movements requires an unhurried approach, with a gradual progression towards competition, while always emphasizing the importance of friendship, fair play, and inclusion. Often, coaches may emphasize skill development at the expense of other crucial aspects of a child’s development—physical, mental, social, and emotional. It’s essential to nurture all these aspects when fostering athletic abilities. Whether your child is venturing into sports or already actively participating - prioritize the elements of fun, friendship, and skill development for them.
Create an environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn and grow. It is crucial that children are not relegated to the bench; instead, provide them with a safe space to develop and thrive. While winning is undoubtedly enjoyable, it is most meaningful when the entire team contributes. Research indicates that children prefer playing sports over watching TV, and they would rather be part of a losing team than sit on the bench of a winning one. Coaches who resort to yelling and benching players may not foster a positive environment for your child.
Choose wisely, as the health and success of your child depend on it. Let’s ensure that the sports journey for our children is not just about winning but about fostering a love for the game, nurturing friendships, and building essential life skills.
Sarah Gallsworthy is a sports and recreational professional who cares deeply about creating safe and inclusive spaces for children to be active. Sarah teaches physical literacy, child development and sport at Seneca College; she has years of experience as a coach, educator and recreational professional.
sgallsworthy@yahoo.com
Socials @sgallsworthy
Community Notes
Penthouse condo sold for $300k under the initial asking price
What’s Happening in Markham this week
February 15
7:00 - 9:00 pm - Budget 2024 public meeting. Find out how to contribute here
February 16
8:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Markham at the movies: Night Watch. Tickets here
February 17
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM -Varley Art Gallery - Lunarfest 2024 - Details here
February 18
1:00 - 2:00 - 421 Bentley St, Unit 8, Kid-Friendly Puppy Yoga with Cocker Spaniels. Information here
February 20
9:00 - 3:00 PM Development services meeting - Details here
6:00 - 10:00 PM - Hilton Toronto Markham Convention Centre - Jazzlicious: The Best Is Yet To Come: Dusk sings Tony Bennet. Details here
If you would like to submit your photos of Markham - feel free to follow and tag our Instagram page, and we’ll credit you!
If you’ve got a story pitch, send it to themarkhamite@Substack.com