Mooney’s Bay Park – Hill Modification Feasibility Study
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Background
Mooney’s Bay Park Hill was constructed in the 1970s and originally designed as a junior ski hill. Over time it became a popular sledding location, officially approved for sledding in 2007.
Over the next decade, the hill attracted many visitors but also generated a significant number of injuries due to its steep slopes and hazardous runout areas.
In 2017, following a formal risk assessment, the City closed the hill for sledding and posted warning and prohibition signage to discourage its use, though signage was often disregarded and usage continued.
A fatal sledding incident occurred on December 27, 2021, which prompted further reviews:
A departmental Critical Incident Review in early 2022
An assessment by an external municipal risk consultant, who concluded that no part of the existing hill could be made reasonably safe for sledding in its current configuration
A Regional Coroner’s Review, which provided safety recommendations that were implemented by the City
In 2024, City Council approved funding for a feasibility study to examine whether landscape and site engineering modifications to the hill could create a safe sledding environment.
The feasibility study was completed in 2025 and outlined options for modifications to the hill that could be implemented to provide safe sledding areas.
Options
The feasibility study developed three conceptual design options (A, B & C), each involving varying degrees of hill regrading, user separation, safe runout zones, separated returning pathways, and fencing/vegetation to prevent sledding in unsafe areas. A fourth option – (D) has been added, which would maintain the hill in its current state and remain closed for sledding.
Option A – “Thrill Hill” + Cross-Country Ski Training Hill ($3.5M)
Designed for advanced sledders.
Key features:
14.6 m high “Thrill Hill” with a consistent 18% grade
70 m extended runout to slow sledders and reduce impact hazards
Relocated Cross-Country (XC) ski training hill on the north slope
Cross-country ski training hill on the ascending pathways separating sledders from uphill return routes
Fencing/vegetation to prevent access to unsafe slopes
Pathways connecting the top of the hill to park parking lots
Approximately 6570 m³ cut and 7450 m³ fill, including clean soil capping of contaminated fill
Advantages
Disadvantages
The 14.6m high “Thrill” Hill would have a consistent 18% grade with an extended 70m runout zone.
Sledding would be restricted to one zone only and would present a potential overcrowding.
The ascending pathways adjacent to the sledding zone would separate sledders from those returning to the top.
There would be limited opportunities for younger or novice sledders.
The strategic placement of posts and rail fencing and staggered vegetation would prevent sledding on unsafe slopes of the hill.
Some tree removal would be required to clear potential obstacles in sledding runout zones.
Accessible pathways would extend from the Terry Fox Athletic Facility to the Mooney’s Bay Beach parking lots at the top of the hill.
Relocation of existing cross-country ski training hill, trail and pathways would be required to create a safe sledding runout zone.
Landscape modifications will allow for public access for off-season use of the hill, such as cross-country running
Significant regrading and clean soil would be required to cap existing contaminated fill.
Option B – “Bunny Hill” + Cross-Country Ski Training Hill ($1.75M)
Designed for younger or novice sledders.
Key features:
5.7 m high “Bunny Hill” with a 13% slope
40 m runout zone
Cross-Country (XC) ski training hill stays in place
Cross-country ski training hill pathways separating sledders from uphill return route
Fencing/vegetation to prevent access to unsafe slopes
Pathways connecting the top of the hill to park parking lots
Approximately 1770 m³ cut and 2550 m³ fill, including clean soil capping of contaminated fill
Advantages
Disadvantages
A 5.7m high sledding “Bunny” Hill would have a consistent and safer 13% grade and a 40m runout zone.
Sledding would be restricted to one zone only and would present a potential for overcrowding.
The cross-country ski training hill would continue to be maintained in its current location.
There are limited opportunities for older or experienced sledders.
The ascending pathways adjacent to the sledding zone would separate sledders from those returning to the top.
The strategic placement of posts and rail fencing and staggered vegetation would prevent sledding on unsafe slopes of the hill.
Accessible pathways would extend from the Terry Fox Athletic Facility and Mooney’s Bay Beach parking lots at the top of the hill.
This option would have the least amount of hillside regrading and clean soil required to cap the existing contaminated fill.
There would be no relocation of existing pathways and trails.
Landscape modifications will allow for public access for off-season use of the hill, such as cross-country running
This option would have the lowest total estimated project cost.
Option C – Full Build-Out: Thrill Hill + Bunny Hill + XC Training Hill ($4.25M)
A combination of Options A + B, serving all user types (beginner → advanced).
Key features:
Cross-country ski hill positioned between the two hills, includes both a 14.6 m Thrill Hill (18% grade, 70 m runout) and a separate 5.7 m Bunny Hill (13% grade, 40 m runout)
Greatest amount of regrading, cut and fill
Fencing, vegetation, and pathway systems for user separation
Approx. 9050 m³ cut and 9150 m³ fill, including clean soil capping of contaminated fil
Advantages
Disadvantages
Option C would combine options A and B, with separate Trill Hill and Bunny Hill sledding zones.
Some tree removal would be required to clear potential obstacles in sledding runout zones.
This option provides sledding opportunities for all ages and skill levels.
Relocation of pathways and cross-country ski training area and trail would be required to create safe runout zones.
This option accommodates the highest number of sledders.
This option would require the most amount of hillside regrading and clean soil required to cap existing contaminated fill.
This option has multiple ascending pathways adjacent to the sledding zone to separate sledders from those returning to the top.
This option has the highest total estimated project cost.
The strategic placement of posts and rail fencing and staggered vegetation would prevent sledding on unsafe slopes of the hill.
Accessible pathways would extend from the Terry Fox Athletic Facility to the Mooney’s Bay Beach parking lots at the top of the hill.
Landscape modifications will allow for public access for off-season use of the hill, such as cross-country running.
Option D – Status Quo
Hill features will remain as is; the hill would continue to be closed for sledding, with warning signs posted. Cross-Country ski training will continue as is.
Advantages
Disadvantages
The hill would remain as existing for all-season use.
The hill would remain as existing, with no sledding allowed.
The existing cross-country ski trail and training area would be maintained.
There would be no opportunities for safe sledding.
There are no capital costs.
The ongoing seasonal operating to erect and remove barriers to sledding on hill would come at a cost.
Get Involved
Residents are invited to join us at our open house on March 30, 2026, at Riverside United Church from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Mooney’s Bay Park Hill was constructed in the 1970s and originally designed as a junior ski hill. Over time it became a popular sledding location, officially approved for sledding in 2007.
Over the next decade, the hill attracted many visitors but also generated a significant number of injuries due to its steep slopes and hazardous runout areas.
In 2017, following a formal risk assessment, the City closed the hill for sledding and posted warning and prohibition signage to discourage its use, though signage was often disregarded and usage continued.
A fatal sledding incident occurred on December 27, 2021, which prompted further reviews:
A departmental Critical Incident Review in early 2022
An assessment by an external municipal risk consultant, who concluded that no part of the existing hill could be made reasonably safe for sledding in its current configuration
A Regional Coroner’s Review, which provided safety recommendations that were implemented by the City
In 2024, City Council approved funding for a feasibility study to examine whether landscape and site engineering modifications to the hill could create a safe sledding environment.
The feasibility study was completed in 2025 and outlined options for modifications to the hill that could be implemented to provide safe sledding areas.
Options
The feasibility study developed three conceptual design options (A, B & C), each involving varying degrees of hill regrading, user separation, safe runout zones, separated returning pathways, and fencing/vegetation to prevent sledding in unsafe areas. A fourth option – (D) has been added, which would maintain the hill in its current state and remain closed for sledding.
Option A – “Thrill Hill” + Cross-Country Ski Training Hill ($3.5M)
Designed for advanced sledders.
Key features:
14.6 m high “Thrill Hill” with a consistent 18% grade
70 m extended runout to slow sledders and reduce impact hazards
Relocated Cross-Country (XC) ski training hill on the north slope
Cross-country ski training hill on the ascending pathways separating sledders from uphill return routes
Fencing/vegetation to prevent access to unsafe slopes
Pathways connecting the top of the hill to park parking lots
Approximately 6570 m³ cut and 7450 m³ fill, including clean soil capping of contaminated fill
Advantages
Disadvantages
The 14.6m high “Thrill” Hill would have a consistent 18% grade with an extended 70m runout zone.
Sledding would be restricted to one zone only and would present a potential overcrowding.
The ascending pathways adjacent to the sledding zone would separate sledders from those returning to the top.
There would be limited opportunities for younger or novice sledders.
The strategic placement of posts and rail fencing and staggered vegetation would prevent sledding on unsafe slopes of the hill.
Some tree removal would be required to clear potential obstacles in sledding runout zones.
Accessible pathways would extend from the Terry Fox Athletic Facility to the Mooney’s Bay Beach parking lots at the top of the hill.
Relocation of existing cross-country ski training hill, trail and pathways would be required to create a safe sledding runout zone.
Landscape modifications will allow for public access for off-season use of the hill, such as cross-country running
Significant regrading and clean soil would be required to cap existing contaminated fill.
Option B – “Bunny Hill” + Cross-Country Ski Training Hill ($1.75M)
Designed for younger or novice sledders.
Key features:
5.7 m high “Bunny Hill” with a 13% slope
40 m runout zone
Cross-Country (XC) ski training hill stays in place
Cross-country ski training hill pathways separating sledders from uphill return route
Fencing/vegetation to prevent access to unsafe slopes
Pathways connecting the top of the hill to park parking lots
Approximately 1770 m³ cut and 2550 m³ fill, including clean soil capping of contaminated fill
Advantages
Disadvantages
A 5.7m high sledding “Bunny” Hill would have a consistent and safer 13% grade and a 40m runout zone.
Sledding would be restricted to one zone only and would present a potential for overcrowding.
The cross-country ski training hill would continue to be maintained in its current location.
There are limited opportunities for older or experienced sledders.
The ascending pathways adjacent to the sledding zone would separate sledders from those returning to the top.
The strategic placement of posts and rail fencing and staggered vegetation would prevent sledding on unsafe slopes of the hill.
Accessible pathways would extend from the Terry Fox Athletic Facility and Mooney’s Bay Beach parking lots at the top of the hill.
This option would have the least amount of hillside regrading and clean soil required to cap the existing contaminated fill.
There would be no relocation of existing pathways and trails.
Landscape modifications will allow for public access for off-season use of the hill, such as cross-country running
This option would have the lowest total estimated project cost.
Option C – Full Build-Out: Thrill Hill + Bunny Hill + XC Training Hill ($4.25M)
A combination of Options A + B, serving all user types (beginner → advanced).
Key features:
Cross-country ski hill positioned between the two hills, includes both a 14.6 m Thrill Hill (18% grade, 70 m runout) and a separate 5.7 m Bunny Hill (13% grade, 40 m runout)
Greatest amount of regrading, cut and fill
Fencing, vegetation, and pathway systems for user separation
Approx. 9050 m³ cut and 9150 m³ fill, including clean soil capping of contaminated fil
Advantages
Disadvantages
Option C would combine options A and B, with separate Trill Hill and Bunny Hill sledding zones.
Some tree removal would be required to clear potential obstacles in sledding runout zones.
This option provides sledding opportunities for all ages and skill levels.
Relocation of pathways and cross-country ski training area and trail would be required to create safe runout zones.
This option accommodates the highest number of sledders.
This option would require the most amount of hillside regrading and clean soil required to cap existing contaminated fill.
This option has multiple ascending pathways adjacent to the sledding zone to separate sledders from those returning to the top.
This option has the highest total estimated project cost.
The strategic placement of posts and rail fencing and staggered vegetation would prevent sledding on unsafe slopes of the hill.
Accessible pathways would extend from the Terry Fox Athletic Facility to the Mooney’s Bay Beach parking lots at the top of the hill.
Landscape modifications will allow for public access for off-season use of the hill, such as cross-country running.
Option D – Status Quo
Hill features will remain as is; the hill would continue to be closed for sledding, with warning signs posted. Cross-Country ski training will continue as is.
Advantages
Disadvantages
The hill would remain as existing for all-season use.
The hill would remain as existing, with no sledding allowed.
The existing cross-country ski trail and training area would be maintained.
There would be no opportunities for safe sledding.
There are no capital costs.
The ongoing seasonal operating to erect and remove barriers to sledding on hill would come at a cost.
Get Involved
Residents are invited to join us at our open house on March 30, 2026, at Riverside United Church from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
