A Scarborough family is fighting what they call an unfair city order to remove their children's basketball and hockey nets from their front lawn after six years of neighborhood play without complaint.
Unexpected Violation Notice
On November 19, 2025, Toronto bylaw officers issued a Notice of Violation to Tony Cacciatore and several neighbors on Holmcrest Trail, giving them three days to remove sports equipment from the boulevard area in front of their homes. The citation, signed by Provincial Offences Officer Tony Leitao, stated the nets were "interfering with solid waste/snow removal."
The Cacciatore family has maintained their basketball net in the same location since moving to the neighborhood in 2019. Tony Cacciatore, father of three children aged 10, 12, and 14, emphasized that the equipment was deliberately positioned to avoid interfering with municipal services.
Family Questions City Priorities
"This day and age when we are struggling getting kids off of devices, I'm getting ticketed for having equipment out front that encourages my kids to get out and play," Cacciatore told reporters. His children regularly use the nets for basketball and street hockey.
The family received a warning that failure to comply within three days could result in inspection fees and potential legal action to recover costs. The notice specified that unauthorized items in the municipal right-of-way could lead to item removal or cost recovery under Municipal Code Chapter 743.
City Defends Enforcement Action
Toronto spokesperson Laura McQuillan explained the city's position: "The City of Toronto reminds residents that the boulevard, the space between the sidewalk and road, is part of the municipal right-of-way and must remain clear to support essential services like waste collection, snow removal and utility maintenance."
According to city policy, sports nets are permitted on the curb when actively in use but must be removed or moved to private property when not being used. Only waste bins should occupy this space on collection days.
Neighbors reported that multiple homes in the area received similar violation notices, despite the equipment having been in place for years without previous complaints from municipal authorities.
The situation has sparked debate about enforcement priorities, with the family questioning why sports equipment used by children receives immediate attention while other bylaw violations often go unaddressed for extended periods.
