One radical idea for parks and rec registration

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I woke up at 6:45 am Saturday morning to register my kids for Toronto’s city-run summer day camp at a local community centre. I pried open my eyes, trudged down the stairs, and sat down in front of the computer. I made sure my internet was working. I double checked that I had all the proper codes: family code, client code for each kid, and the individual codes for every session I wanted to register for. I dialed the phone-in registration number, too, so I would only have to hit redial. Then I waited.

6:58. 6:59. 7:00. AND GO! I pressed the online registration button on my computer with one hand and the redial button on my phone with the other. Both were busy. I kept on refreshing and redialing for a few minutes, but it didn’t take too long before I had gained access to the online system. I signed my kids up for the camps I wanted and then I was done. Not bad!

I went onto Facebook to gloat a little and saw that many friends were not so lucky. They had been unable to access the registration system for an hour or more and then the programs they wanted were full.

Lucky for us, I’m not the only one who noticed how stressful out the city’s park and rec registration process is. Mayor John Tory announced yesterday that he is planning to revamp the entire process to bring it up to date. He appointed a panel of people to find long- and short-term solutions for the registration process.

HALLELUJAH!

And of course we are all, “Finally!” A better system will be able to accommodate more people at once, so at least everyone trying to register at the same time will have a shot. Even a simple band-aid fix like offering one registration date for camps and another, separate date, for rec programs like swimming or dance lessons would immediately lessen the burden on the system.

An up-to-date registration site that easily shows program registrants all the available spots in the entire city will help families figure out when and where they can get into their desired program. Maybe the system could even recommend other neighbouring community centres! Maybe those programs could be plotted on a Google map! And TTC routes could also be integrated! Can you imagine this brave new world?

But I have one more radical idea for you, John Tory. Brace yourself.

Why don’t we let all residents of the City of Toronto sign up for whichever program they want and then simply fund those programs?

Now, hold up. Don’t get mired down in the details just yet. Don’t worry about the finite amount of pool space available in Leslieville on any given Saturday morning.  Don’t think about the fixed number of gyms in Parkdale/High Park. Don’t think about the budget. Just … shh.

Think about a world where people sign up for the programs they want and then the city offers enough of those programs. Close your eyes, breath deeply, and let that idea permeate through your body. Doesn’t that feel nice?

Good. Now all we have to do is get some smart people to figure out the how. Extended hours, discounted prices for less popular programs/locations/time slots, and possibly renting out space from the school board are a couple ideas that spring to mind. I’m sure you have some bright minds that can come up with even more solutions.

Man, I am so glad we had this talk.