CITY OF TORONTO KIDSCORE PILOT PROGRAM REPORT: Child Engagement, Child Well-Being, and Child Friendliness in Nine Toronto Locations Copyright © Maximum City, 2020

All texts, images, graphics, maps, and video are subject to copyright or other legal protection of intellectual property. The data collected in the 2019 City of Toronto KidScore Pilot is co-owned by Maximum City and the City of Toronto. KidScore and YouthScore are the intellectual property and registered trademarks of Maximum City.

Maximum City works with schools, governments, and communities to engage and learn about how to live in better cities. We are a team of designers, teachers, and urban planners who share a commitment to creating a better urban future.

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2 Table of Contents Acknowledgements...... 7 KidScore SubScore Categories...... 8 KidScore Maps ...... 9 1. Executive Summary...... 14 Introduction...... 17 Summary of Key Findings...... 18 KidScore Child Voice Map...... 24 2. Rationale...... 27 What is the KidScore?...... 28 KidScore Process...... 29 City of Toronto 2019 KidScore Pilot Program...... 30 Why the KidScore?...... 32 Teacher and Program Staff Voice...... 35 How Can KidScore Data Be Used?...... 36 3. Detailed Findings...... 38 Aggregate Well-Being Survey Findings...... 40 Aggregate KidScore Survey Findings...... 44 3.1 Location Snapshots...... 51 Location 1. Sheppard Avenue and Malvern Street...... 52 KidScore Survey Results for Sheppard Avenue and Malvern Street...... 52 Well-Being Survey Results for Sheppard Avenue and Malvern Street...... 55

Location 2. Royal York Road and Melrose Street...... 56 KidScore Survey Results for Royal York Road and Melrose Street...... 56 Well-Being Survey Results for Royal York Road and Melrose Street...... 59

Location 3. Bathurst Street and College Street...... 62

KidScore Survey Results for Bathurst Street and College Street...... 62 Well-Being Survey Results for Bathurst Street and College Street...... 65

Location 4. Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue...... 66

KidScore Survey Results for Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue...... 66 Well-Being Survey Results for Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue...... 69

Location 5. Kipling Avenue and Albion Road...... 72

KidScore Survey Results for Kipling Avenue and Albion Road...... 72 Well-Being Survey Results for Kipling Avenue and Albion Road...... 75

Kidscore Pilot Program Report 3 Location 6. Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard...... 76 KidScore Survey Results for Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard...... 76 Well-Being Survey Results for Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard...... 80

Location 7. Bathurst Street and Richmond Street...... 82 KidScore Survey Results for Bathurst Street and Richmond Street...... 82 Well-Being Survey Results for Bathurst Street and Richmond Street...... 86

Location 8. Kennedy Road and Lawrence Avenue...... 88 KidScore Survey Results for Kennedy Road and Lawrence Avenue...... 88 Well-Being Survey Results for Kennedy Road and Lawrence Avenue...... 91

Location 9. Avenue Road and St. Clements Avenue...... 92 KidScore Survey Results for Avenue Road and St. Clements Avenue...... 92 Well-Being Survey Results for Avenue Road and St. Clements Avenue...... 96 4. Conclusions and Recommendations...... 98 5. Appendices...... 102 Appendix A: KidScore Survey Scores by Group and Location...... 103 Appendix B: How To Use the KidScore Spatial Map (Guide)...... 108 Appendix C: Pilot Communities Outreach and Location Selection Criteria...... 110 Appendix D: Neighborhood Level Data...... 112

Efforts have been made to make this is an accessible document through colour palette choices and by adding descriptor text to images and graphics.

4 List of Key Maps, Figures, Graphs, and Charts

This does not include all maps, figures, graphs and charts in the report.

Key Maps

M1. Average KidScores...... 9 M2. Traffic and Mobility SubScores...... 10 M3. Spaces and Senses SubScores...... 10 M4. Uses and Activities SubScores...... 11 M5. Green Space and Environment SubScores...... 11 M6. Safety and Well-Being SubScores...... 12

Key Figures

F1. KidScore Survey by the Numbers...... 30 F2. Well-Being Survey by the Numbers...... 41

Key Graphs

G1. I Feel Like My Neighbourhood is a Good Place for Kids to Grow Up...... 41 G2. I Feel Like I Can Make a Positive Difference In My Neighbourhood...... 41 G3. I Feel Like I Belong In My Neighbourhood...... 42 G4. Does Your Area Feel Safe?...... 46

Key Charts

C1. Who Was The Person Or Place You Trust That You Saw That You Could Go To For Help If Needed?...... 47

C2. What Are Some Of Your Favourite Things That You Noticed About Your Area?...... 47

C3. What Are Some Of Your Least Favourite Things That You Noticed About Your Area? ...... 48

C4. What Are Some Of Your Ideas For Making Your Area Better For Kids, And For Everyone?...... 48

Kidscore Pilot Program Report 5 6 Acknowledgements

We would like to thank City of Toronto Children’s Services for engaging us to do this important work, and for the division’s commitment to use the KidScore Pilot as a key enabler and living resource for the broader Child Friendly TO initiative. Many people made the KidScore work possible and better by opening a door or providing direction: notably, Children’s Services staff; our Advisory Committee of Zahra Ebrahim, Dr. Judy Farvolden, Chris Harding, and Angela Ma; the schools, libraries, and after school programs that hosted the KidScore activities; John Lorinc for his editing contributions to sections of this report; and Susie Saliola of the Education and Research Group at Esri Canada, who supported the technical elements of the data collection and mapping. Thank you, most of all, to the 248 kids who welcomed us into their communities and taught us so much. A better urban future is yours.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report 7 KidScore SubScore Categories

The KidScore measures what matters to children through a survey questionnaire, which includes five SubScore categories. Kids and experts co-developed the categories and questions, along with scoring weights that produce a score out of 1001. They include:

Mobility & Traffic asks kids about getting around and transit options in their location. Questions ask kids to report about transportation infrastructure, as well as if they feel safe moving through the area in different ways.

Spaces & Senses asks kids about how their location looks, feels, sounds and smells. Questions ask kids to describe the upkeep, cleanliness, and amenities in the area. They are also asked if public spaces are welcoming.

Uses & Activities asks kids about activities in their location, both indoors and out. Questions are focused on the types of stores, foods, and activities available, as well as affordability.

Green Space & Environment asks kids about nature and parks in their location. Questions ask about trees, plants, and ecology, as well as spaces for play and opportunities to connect with nature.

Safety & Well-Being asks kids about how their location makes them feel, and how they are feeling when exploring and interacting with people and places in the area. Questions ask about feelings of safety, belonging, and independence.

The following maps show the overall KidScores and category SubScores for each location.

8 KidScore Maps: M1. Average KidScores by Location and SubScore Category

Average KidScore

KidScore Range 36-60

The KidScore is both an engagement tool and a metric for evaluating the child-friendliness of urban places. It was made by kids and experts to help create happier and healthier urban places for kids. In 2019, Maximum City conducted a pilot of the KidScore in nine communities for the City of Toronto’s Children’s Services. The goal was to engage kids in assessing the child-friendliness of nine diverse locations using the KidScore, and produce actionable data for improving child-friendliness at the location and citywide level. In total, 248 kids ages five-13, their teachers, program staff, parents, City staff and a variety of researchers and experts all contributed to the 2019 KidScore Pilot Program. The online version of this map shows physical and social infrastructure across Toronto but, more powerfully and uniquely, the layered KidScore data tells the story of how kids interact with infrastructure.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report 9 M2. Traffic & Mobility

KidScore SubScore Average

Traffic and Mobility Range 24-58 M3. Spaces & Senses

KidScore SubScore Average

Spaces and Sense Range 9-64

10 M4. Uses & Activities

KidScore SubScore Average

Uses and Activities Range 20-68 M5. Green Space & Environment

KidScore SubScore Average

Green Space & Environment Range 29-70

Kidscore Pilot Program Report 11 M6. Safety & Well-Being

KidScore SubScore Average

Safety and Well-Being Range 38-64

12 Kidscore Pilot Program Report 13 1. Executive Summary

The KidScore is both an engagement tool and In each location, the program a metric for evaluating the child-friendliness had three key steps. of urban places. It measures what matters to First, kids completed a place-based children in cities and towns, and was made ‹‹ Well-Being survey to capture a by kids and experts to help the City create baseline of individual well-being, state happier and healthier urban places for kids. In of mind, and feelings about place. 2019, Maximum City was contracted by City Second, kids led an hour-long of Toronto Children’s Services to conduct a ‹‹ inquiry and observation walk pilot of the KidScore program. The goal was to through their neighbourhood. engage kids in assessing the child-friendliness Third, during or just after their walk, of nine diverse locations using the KidScore ‹‹ kids worked together in small groups to capture how kids experience and interact to complete a KidScore survey to with their social and physical surroundings. produce a KidScore rating of the child- In total, 248 kids, aged five to 13, along friendliness of their location, out of 1001. with teachers, program staff, parents, City As part of this survey, kids evaluated officials, and various researchers and experts, their surroundings in five categories: contributed to the 2019 KidScore Pilot Mobility and Traffic; Spaces and Senses; Program. This report synthesizes and shares Uses and Activities; Green Space and what was learned about child engagement, Environment; and, Safety and Well-Being. child well-being, and child-friendliness in nine Toronto locations over the course of The KidScore survey asks multiple questions the pilot. Given the volume of data collected within each category to help identify, through — over 11,500 question responses — this kids’ eyes, what is and is not 'kid-friendly' in report does not attempt to summarize or an area. The survey then applies weighted analyze all of it. The report does, however, scoring to produce an overall KidScore. capture what was learned about child well- In each location, kids led the observation being and child-friendliness at an aggregate and data collection processes to gather level across the nine locations, and more evidence, while participating adults followed, incisively where individual locations are listened and answered questions to facilitate either performing well or failing to meet the completion of the KidScore survey. kids’ needs based on the KidScore criteria.

1 While the KidScore is out of 100 and is sometimes represented as a percentage in this report (e.g. 45% kid-friendly), there are over 250 possible points within the scoring index.

14 The terms kids, children, and young Participation > Discovery > Cohesion people are used interchangeably in this > Evidence > Skills and Solutions report to refer to people ages six to 12 The KidScore is about participation – who are the audience for the KidScore Kids engage in hands-on activities and Pilot Program (though a few five - and meaningful discussions about the decisions 13-year-olds also participated). Youth, and designs that shape their communities. as in the complementary YouthScore for older participants, refers to ages 13-20. The KidScore is about discovery – Kids explore, investigate, interact with and learn about their communities. The results of the 2019 KidScore Pilot Program The KidScore is about cohesion – are easy to visualize: there is now an interactive Kids who participate build trust and form spatial map2 of clusters of KidScores for the connections to one another as well as the nine assessed Toronto locations, as well as a people and places in their communities. series of static maps on pages 9-12 showing KidScores and category subscores for all The KidScore is about evidence – locations.3 This report provides context and Kids and facilitators gather data and complementary analysis to the KidScore observations about what makes their spatial map, including a detailed presentation communities child-friendly from the of what the map offers visually, findings perspective of kids themselves. and conclusions, next steps for building the The KidScore is about skills and KidScore database, and recommendations for solutions – Kids build civic skills and applying and extending the KidScore data and offer ideas on how to improve the child- pilot to strengthen child-friendly outcomes friendliness of their communities; data across the City of Toronto, and beyond. and recommendations are shared with policy and decision makers to improve child-friendly outcomes.

The KidScore basemap shows physical and social infrastructure across Toronto but, more powerfully and uniquely, the layered KidScore data tells the story of how kids interact with this infrastructure.

2 https://maximumcity.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f7d199cbc1fb490b90b2c715f61e2d16 3 A guide to using the KidScore Map can be found in Appendix C. Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Executive Summary 15 16 Introduction

This report highlights the process and potential of the KidScore survey, pulling key findings from the analysis of the City of Toronto Pilot Program data. It provides an overview of the methodology that informs the KidScore process, and uses the initial Pilot Program dataset to illustrate how this tool, once implemented more broadly, The KidScore was not designed or can be used to collect data that informs, intended to collect data or characteristics supports, and guides municipal divisions that can be generalized about and services through an experience- and neighbourhoods. Each score represents evidence-based child-friendly lens. a snapshot of a location at a moment The data collected through the pilot is in time, and tells us what the area was unique and powerful on its own, particularly like from the perspectives of the young at the location level for identifying gaps people who completed the KidScore and localizing solutions. But it should be survey questionnaire on that particular noted that the data represents a relatively day. The data are meant to complement small sample size in a city with 140 official other datasets to inform stronger policy neighbourhoods and 184,7554 kids ages six to and planning, and better services and 12. The real power of the KidScore tool rests in city-building outcomes for kids. its potential to gather meaningful, unique, and large datasets from children’s perspectives across various locations in a city, and over time, as more kids add their KidScores for more locations. The insights are crowd- sourced: the more data collected through the KidScore, the stronger and more complete the KidScore becomes at both individual locations and citywide, as data patterns become clearer and outliers easier to identify.

4 City of Toronto Children’s Services, from 2016 Census Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Executive Summary 17 Summary of Key Findings The following list provides a summary of the patterns and lessons that emerged from the City of Toronto 2019 KidScore Pilot Program dataset. A. The average KidScore across nine assessed Toronto locations was 45. This average tells only part of the story of what kids saw and felt across the nine locations, and is illustrated more completely by a deeper analysis of the category subscores. The low average KidScore may be surprising to some since Toronto has a reputation as a livable and welcoming city that regularly appears in rankings of the best and most desirable places5. While this reputation may be deserved, one of the key lessons learned in the KidScore pilot project was that some adults’ experiences in, or aspirations of, a city or neighbourhood tend to be quite different than those of children. Finding: Kids’ experiences of cities can be markedly different from adults and, as a result, they have different knowledge about cities than adults.

B. The highest KidScore was 60, attributed to the Bathurst and College area, located within the Kensington- Chinatown neighbourhood downtown. Kids in this location appreciated the mix of public spaces, the variety of affordable shops and places to eat, the ease of walking and biking, and the ready access to transit. They reported feeling safe walking or biking in this location. While this area was not always clean or well- maintained, kids enjoyed the many places to sit and hang out, as well as all the people they saw in public, which contributed to high subscores in Spaces and Senses and Uses and Activities. This area made kids feel safe and welcome, and gave them a strong sense of independence. Finding: Feelings of safety and independence are important positive attributes for kids across all locations.

5 Toronto ranks in the top 5 of the most livable cities according to the Economist Intelligence Unit https://www.toronto.ca/ city-government/data-research-maps/toronto-progress-portal/world-rankings-for-toronto/most-livable-cities/

18 C. The lowest KidScore was 35, recorded for the area near Avenue Road north of Eglinton Avenue in midtown Toronto, located within the Lawrence Park South Neighbourhood. Kids felt that this location — which includes residential streets with single family homes surrounded by arterial roads and a commercial corridor — was neither welcoming nor friendly. This low score may be surprising to those who know the area since it is considered highly desirable by some adults, and has the highest neighbourhood median household income of any of the assessed locations. This area, however, has several attributes that were major negatives for kids. Participants felt there was little to do in the area, found shops and eateries to be unaffordable or unwelcoming, and did not feel safe walking due to wide roads, the speed and volume of traffic flowing adjacent to narrow sidewalks, construction,6 and poor pedestrian infrastructure. Lower speed limits and better bike and pedestrian amenities would improve the child- friendliness of many of the assessed locations, but this one in particular. Finding: Road and pedestrian safety conditions were important negative attributes for kids across all locations.

D. The highest category subscore was 70 for Green Space and Environment at Kipling and Albion, located within the Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown Neighbourhood. Kids in this inner suburb location highly valued the natural assets of the Humber River ravine and large green spaces of Masseygrove Park. They reported that to feel safe in and get the most out of such parklands, these green and natural spaces should be better maintained, well lit, and include proper wayfinding. Residents were celebrating Eid on the day of the KidScore assessment visit, and many people were gathered outside their homes or in the park. This public activity contributed to feelings of safety and belonging, and some higher than typical category subscores. The surrounding neighborhood here is one of 31 designated Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) in the City of Toronto’s Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy7. This equity-oriented plan identifies areas that are not receiving enough support from local government and services, and seeks solutions for addressing the shortfall. Finding: Connections to nature and green space were important positive attributes for kids across all locations.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Executive Summary 19 E. The lowest category subscore was 9 for Spaces and Senses at Bathurst and Richmond, located within the Niagara Neighbourhood. Kids found this downtown location very noisy, not well maintained, and unwelcoming. There were good mobility and activity options nearby, but the neighbourhood walk through the area was frequently interrupted or diverted by active construction sites, blocked sidewalks, cars parked in bike lanes and on sidewalks, and broken and overflowing street waste bins. Since construction is part of ongoing daily life in Toronto, it is important that the City enforce better construction site management to improve the safety and child-friendliness of neighbourhoods undergoing change. Neighbourhood clean up initiatives, along with regular waste and recycling collection of street bins, are other ways to make communities more child-friendly based on feedback. This location also showed some of the widest variety of scores among different groups of kids within the same location, meaning they had a lot of different experiences and opinions about the child-friendliness of the area.8 Finding: Construction, state of good repair, litter, and not feeling welcome, were important negative attributes across all locations.

f. There is a disparity in how kids want to travel to school compared to how they actually get there. Thirty-nine percent of kids are driven to school while 41% use active modes. However, more than three- quarters would prefer to travel to school by active transportation (walking, biking or rolling, etc.). g. Kids found their locations to be well served by public transit, with buses being the most common mode. h. Kids felt their locations were mostly safe, with 85% reporting their area felt safe or somewhat safe. i. For kids across all locations, there is a strong correlation between knowing their neighbours and their neighbourhoods, and feelings of increased personal safety and independence. j. For kids across all locations, there is a strong correlation between easy access to green and play spaces, and feelings of increased happiness and well-being. k. For kids in many locations, traffic and cars are a source of daily worry.

20 l. For kids in some locations, violence and the threat of violence are a source of daily worry. m. For kids across all locations, smoking, as well as the presence of people smoking in public spaces, is a major negative. n. Kids across all locations are excited to be asked about their communities in their communities, and eager to play an active role in contributing to a discussion about how their communities should be designed and built. o. Kids across all locations possess important knowledge and insights about their communities that other groups, in particular adult community members and entities tasked with managing public spaces and services, don’t have. p. To make their neighbourhoods more child-friendly, kids suggested adding:

‹‹Parks, playgrounds, ‹‹Benches and fences ‹‹Stores for kids and sports fields/ Plants, trees, gardens Affordable places courts ‹‹ ‹‹ and greenspace to shop and eat Community centres ‹‹ Places to read Police stations, fire and libraries ‹‹ ‹‹ stations, and hospitals Bike lanes and bike Pools, splash pads, ‹‹ ‹‹ share stations Police on patrol and water parks ‹‹ Electric cars and People cleaning Water fountains ‹‹ ‹‹ ‹‹ charging stations up public spaces Garbage and recycling ‹‹ Stop signs and Phone booths bins (including ‹‹ ‹‹ crosswalks improved systems for ‹‹Free Wi-Fi sorting and emptying) Lower speed limits ‹‹ More housing and speed cameras ‹‹ Public art with ‹‹ Facilities to house, bright colours Separating cyclists ‹‹ ‹‹ support and and pedestrians Activities and outdoor welcome people ‹‹ from car traffic programming experiencing housing Better management or job insecurity Trampolines ‹‹ ‹‹ of construction sites ‹‹More smiling people ‹‹More kids ‹‹Lower, more kid- ‹‹People who say hello ‹‹Daycares and friendly signage “Kid Centres” Mental health and Better lighting and ‹‹ ‹‹ well-being supports, Dog parks wayfinding in ravines ‹‹ including places for and large parks ‹‹Sidewalks (or kids to talk about widened sidewalks) ‹‹Yummy food their feelings

6. It is important to note that Eglinton Avenue at the southern border of this location is currently experiencing major construction for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which negatively impacted subscores for Spaces and Senses, and Traffic and Mobility.

7. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/long- term-vision-plans-and-strategies/toronto-strong-neighbourhoods-strategy-2020/

8. See Appendix B for a scatter plot graph of the range of KidScores and SubScores by location.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Executive Summary 21 q. To make their neighbourhoods more child-friendly, kids suggested removing:

‹‹Highways ‹‹Swearing ‹‹Violence and the ‹‹Garbage, litter ‹‹Gas-powered cars threat of violence and pollution ‹‹Fast cars ‹‹Advertising ‹‹Smoking, drugs, ‹‹Noise and alcohol ‹‹Construction

22 Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Executive Summary 23 KidScore Child Voice Map

24 Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Executive Summary 25 26 Rationale

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Rationale 27 What is the KidScore?

The KidScore is both an engagement tool and 1. An individual place-based Well-Being a metric for evaluating the child-friendliness survey to capture some baseline feelings and of urban places. It measures what matters thoughts about a place and how it makes the to kids in cities and towns, and was made participant feel, usually completed on a laptop by kids and experts with the goal of creating or device in a classroom, community centre or happier, healthier urban places for kids. library setting. The objective of the KidScore is to push 2. A guided or spontaneous walk to explore beyond the kinds of statements typically and observe a specific area (e.g. around a generated by child engagement processes school, community centre, or library), and and consultations, such as, “We want more then collect data and photographs. For the parks to play in,” or, “We want a safer city.” purposes of the pilot, all walks were the same The KidScore is aimed at children six to 12 approximate length of one hour with some years of age who are willing to explore and variation in the routes by groups observe an area.9 Participants work through within locations. three sequential activities to complete the 3. A longer group onsite KidScore survey entire KidScore process. The three activities assessing the area that generates a total score are modular in the sense that they can be and five category subscores (Mobility and completed individually at different times, but Traffic; Spaces and Senses; Uses and Activities; ideally they all take place on the same day, Green Space and Environment; Safety and or within a few days, in the order that follows. Well-Being) out of 100, completed on a tablet These activities can be completed with or or mobile device at or near the conclusion of without adult allies or facilitators depending the walk. on the context, needs, and the age of the A fourth activity to extend the KidScore participants.10 The only technical requirement process for kids is a design challenge is a device with data or access to Wi-Fi. where kids propose solutions to raise the KidScore of the assessed area. Though this activity is not a requirement of the KidScore process, it is always strongly encouraged.

9. A separate YouthScore tool has been developed by Maximum City for youth ages 13-20. This separate tool for older participants is aligned with best practice research which identifies that effective youth engagement processes require different approaches for different ages and stages of life.

10. Regardless of the age of KidScore participants, it is important that any accompanying adults do not influence the survey answers or outcomes generated by kids.

28 KidScore Process

Using KidScore photo captions to track likes and dislikes in the neighbourhood.

Completing the KidScore survey on a mobile device after exploring a location.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Rationale 29 City of Toronto 2019 KidScore Pilot Program

Maximum City was contracted by the City mixed-use, and single-family residential of Toronto’s Children’s Services to conduct communities. a 2019 KidScore Pilot Program. The unique As the nine communities were selected, data set collected during this process, and KidScore partnered with local public schools the KidScore platform itself, are intended to and after school programs to engage kids inform the City’s inter-divisional Child Friendly as action researchers for the Pilot Program. TO initiative, which works to transform Toronto into a city where all children can learn, play F1. and grow in the healthiest way possible. KidScore Survey The 2019 KidScore Pilot Program engaged by the kids to assess the child-friendliness of nine Numbers diverse locations within the City of Toronto.

There were multiple criteria for selecting the locations:

‹‹ Including two communities identified as Neighbourhood Improvement Areas;11

‹‹ Equal dispersion within the four quartiles of Raising the Village’s Child and Families Inequities Score,12 meaning both highly advantaged and highly disadvantaged communities for children and families are represented;

‹‹ Ensuring geographic diversity; ‹‹ Ensuring age diversity of participants within the six to 12 cohort; and,

‹‹ Including a variety of contexts and built forms, such as vertical communities,

11. In March 2014, the City of Toronto identified 31 Toronto neighbourhoods to be designated as Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) under the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/nia-profiles/

12. https://raisingthevillage.ca/child-family-inequities-score-2/

30 Origin of the KidScore

The KidScore project began in 2017 as a summer camp activity to engage young people in city building. Youth participants were tasked with identifying the strengths and gaps in their neighbourhoods, based on their own preferences and values, and do so during a hands-on data collection process. It was conceived as a complement to metrics like the Walk Score and Bike Score, but with a focus on encouraging child participation and amplifying child voices in the process of fostering child-friendly cities.

The survey questionnaire for evaluating the child-friendliness of places — the tool at the heart of the KidScore — was developed over a two-year research period by Maximum City staff and young campers in summer and international programs. These programs were hosted at the University of Toronto Schools, and in Frankfurt, Germany, at the Carl-Schurz-Schule. During the research and development phase of the KidScore, Maximum City was also working as youth outreach partners for the iCity Urban Informatics project led by the University of Toronto’s Transportation Research Institute, and some of the iCity project partners helped test and refine the early versions of the activity and survey tool. The KidScore survey tool was intensively field-tested in the hands of hundreds of children and youth ages eight to 18 from both Toronto and Frankfurt, and shaped with input from various experts.13 The questions, categories, and scoring weights in the current KidScore survey come from this iterative two- year process and remain true to what kids and youth said was more or less important to them as elements of good urban places.

13. The experts who contributed to the research and development of the YouthScore and KidScore included urban planners, designers, architects, engineers, epidemiologists, social workers, scholars, teachers and engagement specialists. Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Rationale 31 Why KidScore?

The broad objective of the KidScore is to collect new and meaningful forms of data about cities in a purposeful way that honours children’s voice and participation. Both locally and globally, children should be much more actively and purposefully engaged in the planning and design of the social and physical spaces where they learn, live, and play. Kids and youth are an important segment of urban populations worldwide. By 2030, 60% of urban dwellers in developing countries are expected to be under 18, according to the United Nations,14 while 22% of people in OECD countries will be under 19.15 Yet their voices and meaningful participation in planning and city building decisions that impact their lives are often overlooked.

It is also worth noting that Toronto, the context for the KidScore Pilot, is a city experiencing significant growth and change that present urban challenges felt acutely by younger people, including rising inequality.16 The Toronto Census Metropolitan Area grew by approximately 100,000 per year from 2016-2019 to 6.47 million,17 with growth projections for the Greater Toronto Area of nearly 50% by 2046 to 10.2 million. This same projection period (2018-2046) will also see a provincial increase in children aged 0-14 from 2.3 to 2.9 million.18

The physical and social spaces kids inhabit directly influence their growth and development, and it is at the municipal level where the plans and policies for these spaces are often decided. The goal of the KidScore is to provide child-generated data that can assist municipalities to plan, design and program social and physical spaces in order to produce better outcomes for the growth, development and well-being of kids.

14 https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2013/08/un-habitat-and-youth/ 15 https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=POPPROJ# 16 The United Way has identified Toronto as Canada’s most unequal major city with young adults being more disadvantaged than ever before https://www.unitedwaygt.org/file/2019_OE_fullreport_FINAL.pdf 17 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1710013501 18 https://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/economy/demographics/projections/

32 In over a decade of working with children and youth in Canada and elsewhere, Maximum City has found one constant: kids want to participate more actively in city- and community-building issues. Their appetite is neither latent nor does it require any special finesse to unleash. Their insights and knowledge of their physical and social environments are usually right at the surface, waiting to be activated. Maximum City staff have found this appetite to be present regardless of social or economic context. From Rexdale to Mimico to downtown to North York to Scarborough, kids are excited to be asked what they think about their community, and eager to jump into a serious investigation of its strengths and opportunities.

The KidScore has several distinct but interwoven goals in two categories: Cohesion and Capacity Building Goals:

‹‹ Connect children to the areas, places and people where they live and go to school through a deeper knowledge and sense of place.

‹‹ Foster community interactions, social cohesion and trust within and across generations.

‹‹ Give children the experience and the language for talking about place and design, and how place and design make them feel and act.

‹‹ Increase child participation in local issues through engaging children in hands-on activities concerning topics that impact them daily.

‹‹ Generate concrete and actionable outcomes in child participation and engagement activities.

‹‹ Amplify children’s voices by listening purposefully to their ideas and convening opportunities for children to present their solutions to policy and decision makers.

‹‹ Strengthen a sense of civic purpose in children by tapping into their instinct to better the world around them.

‹‹ Develop kids’ skills in areas such as design, inquiry, data, problem- solving, collaboration and communication.

‹‹ Reach and follow through with equity-seeking communities, such as the City of Toronto’s NIAs.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Rationale 33 Creating More Child-Friendly Cities Goals:

‹‹ Measure how urban places are meeting the social, emotional and physical needs of kids.

‹‹ Observe how design and place influence social outcomes and well- being.

‹‹ Show how kids interact with social and physical infrastructure in their communities.

‹‹ Localize solutions for improving child-friendliness using evidence and experience from kids.

‹‹ Use KidScore data to inform and influence local and citywide planning, policy and decision-making in order to improve children's social and physical spaces.

‹‹ Create an turnkey platform for anyone who wants to use the KidScore to evaluate a location’s child-friendliness.

34 Teacher and Program Staff Voice KidScore Quotes by Classroom Teachers and Program Leaders Who Participated in the KidScore

“My students were able to “My students enjoyed looking “The KidScore Program got explore their community at closely at the community the group thinking in ways a deeper level. Community as we went on a walk and that they may not have walks are common at schools, tracked things like buses, before – because they never but never with the intent graffiti, litter, trees, etc. The felt like they had a say in the to collect real data that students loved being asked safety and environment of will be used beyond the for their opinion and enjoyed their community. Students walls of the classroom.” the time spent outdoors.” were quite excited to share Grade 1-2 Teacher, Grade 4-5 Teacher, their ideas with the KidScore North Toronto Scarborough facilitators and jumped at the opportunity to share them “The students in the after “Having taken part in with leaders at City Hall as school program love to the KidScore program, I well. That was an opportunity get involved, to be heard believe that students will that many of them had not and valued – like most feel more confident in had before and may not have kids. KidScore checked offering up their ideas.” again – so it meant a lot!” off all of those boxes!” Social Worker, Scarborough Social Worker, Scarborough Social Worker, Scarborough “Children are so rarely “KidScore moves beyond the “KidScore was an excellent asked for their thoughts and traditional learning about opportunity for my students opinions, particularly on our community and the to think critically about projects that might influence environment. Many tasks in the city we live in. I do not decision makers in the schools are one-offs or tasks think that the students had city. As a teacher, it was so we have been asking kids to ever really thought about nice for me to see how the do for a very long time: pick the factors that affect their students' ideas were being up litter, reduce our waste, safety and enjoyment in valued. We often do problem walk to school, etc. KidScore certain neighborhoods.” solving and critical thinking acts as an engagement Grade 5-6 Teacher, challenges in class, but the activity or a kick-off for North Toronto KidScore activity was a rare something more lasting." opportunity to apply these Grade 1-2 Teacher, skills in a real-world context.“ North Toronto Grade 5-6 Teacher, North Toronto

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Rationale 35 How Can KidScore Data Be Used?

Kids carry out the KidScore data collection The KidScore process was not designed or process on behalf of other kids and policy intended to collect data or characteristics that makers. This is important to remember can be generalized about neighbourhoods. since kids, like many of us, have a range Instead, the KidScore is meant to provide of ideas about what makes for good urban detailed data for specific locations, based on places, and their interpretation is part of five key markers of a child’s experience of what produces the score and data. There are place (the five subscores). Each score and set both subjective (e.g. Did the public spaces of subscores represent a snapshot of a location feel welcoming to you?), and objective (e.g. at a moment in time. The data tells us what Does your area have bike lanes?) questions the area around the location was like from that contribute to the scoring, which in turn the perspectives of the young people who makes the composition of the resulting data completed the KidScore questionnaire on one both subjective and objective. Further, when particular day. This hyper-local tool captures observing an active street or location, there key attributes: Does a street feel safe to cross? are many independent variables that are Does a park have the equipment kids like to subject to change from moment to moment use? Are sidewalks comfortable and wide (e.g. a car pulling over in a bike lane to drop enough for everyone? Do places feel safe and off a passenger). These realities may limit the welcoming for kids to explore on their own? validity of the data for some purposes but Similarly, the place-based Well-Being remain true to the core principles of child survey captures states, not traits, and the participation and engagement, honouring and survey questions are explicitly aimed at how amplifying child voice, and capturing many kids are feeling on a particular morning or moments in time across an urban area like afternoon, rather than how they typically feel. pixels in an image. The ambient variability is also part of what makes cities such dynamic, The KidScore enables the identification confounding, and exhilarating places. of specific challenges and strengths in a location, through a kid’s perspective. This approach produces results that challenge The KidScore data is specific and actionable, standard assumptions made by some adult rather than merely descriptive. city builders and decision makers about the child-friendliness of a location. It reveals how differently kids experience a neighbourhood

36 compared to some adults. For example, the to collaborate on design, problem-solving location in the affluent neighbourhood around and community improvement exercises. Avenue Road and Eglinton Avenue received The data collected through the KidScore are a fairly low KidScore, based in part on an intended to be compared to other data sets especially low Uses and Activities subscore in order to more clearly see where there are and on the fact that kids did not feel that gaps and opportunities in planning, design, there were affordable or welcoming places in programming and service delivery, and where the neighbourhood for them to eat or shop. there are strengths and best practices.

The KidScore data can also pinpoint strengths in a location that may otherwise be The KidScore data provides practical undervalued, overlooked, or even stigmatized. evidence of how kids interact with their For example, the highest KidScore subscore surroundings, identifying gaps and was 70 for Green Space and Environment strengths that touch on the work of multiple at Kipling and Albion, located in the inner City divisions and service providers. suburbs within the Mount Olive-Silverstone- Jamestown Neighbourhood Improvement The utility of the KidScore data for City of Area (NIA). Kids in this location highly valued Toronto staff across divisions is powerful the natural assets of the Humber River ravine and unique. The data have many potential and the large green space Masseygrove Park. applications that are responsive to the needs In addition, this location scored high in Uses of various divisions and stakeholders, including and Activities, with many survey responses but not limited to, Children’s Services, Public showcasing the fact that kids enjoyed the Health, Planning, Transportation, Parks Forestry presence of affordable and interesting and Recreation, as well as schools, school places to shop and eat. While it may be boards, police and libraries. The KidScore counterintuitive that an NIA, designated as data fills in parts of the missing narrative for under-supported in the City’s equity strategy, these agencies and divisions, and provides generated higher child-friendly scores than them with an evidence-based tool for much more affluent neighbourhoods, it is improving neighbourhood livability. With its important to remember what the KidScore unique child's perspective, KidScore tells a is in fact measuring: hyper-specific location different story from what is presented in more attributes that kids enjoy or dislike in the traditional forms of quantitative data, such moment and from their unique point of view. as census tract information or broad indices. The main audience for the KidScore data Over the longer term, the KidScore can track includes urban and service planners, city the impact of investment or neighbourhood staff across multiple divisions, designers, change from a child’s perspective, using it for researchers, policy and decision makers, and a point-in-time assessment pre- and post- education and program staff. Kids are also an investment or change in the neighbourhood, important audience for the data, in that they will be able to use the information and insights Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Rationale 37 Detailed Findings

38 The Detailed Findings section provides summaries of the clear patterns and lessons that emerged through the City of Toronto 2019 KidScore Pilot Program. Findings are organised into three sections:

1. Aggregate Well-Being survey findings, which includes high level summaries of the results of the Well-Being surveys for eight of the nine Pilot Program locations where kids completed the individual well-being survey19 (pages 40-43); 2. Aggregate KidScore survey findings, which includes high level summaries of the results of the KidScore surveys in all nine Pilot Program locations where kids completed the KidScore survey in groups (pages 44-50) ; 3. Location Snapshots, which includes nine detailed presentations of location- specific results from both the Well-Being and KidScore surveys (pages 51-97).

19 The Well-Being Survey was not completed by kids at Kennedy and Lawrence due to time constraints.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Detailed Findings 39 Aggregate Well-Being Survey Findings

Context

An individual place-based Well-Being A note about the Well-Being survey: One survey was completed by kids before their survey was provided for participants aged neighbourhood walk. This survey was used 9-12, while a similar but slightly shorter to capture how kids felt in the moment, version was provided for participants how place influences their mood and aged 6-8. These Well-Being surveys were mental health, what they like to do in their tested and revised before being put into neighborhoods, and what worries them the field to make them more child-friendly, and gets them excited. It was also used to including using emojis to complement get participants thinking about some of the word choices as answer options. topics in the KidScore survey, as a primer for both the walk and the questions they would answer as a group after the walk. This section provides a summary of the data collected through the Well-Being survey.

40 F2. Well-Being Survey How Kids Travel to School by the Numbers On the day of the survey, kids travelled to school most commonly by car (39%) or by walking (40%). The overwhelming majority of kids (76%) would prefer to get to school by active transportation (walking, biking, or rolling). Most kids travel to school with a parent.

1% travel to school by biking, while 33% would like to travel to school by biking

G1. I Feel Like My Neighbourhood is What Kids Get Excited About a Good Place for Kids to Grow Up In Their Neighbourhood

Strongly Disagree Kids get excited about a lot! Most kids Strongly Agree 5.0% 32.8% responded that they get excited about food, Disagree exploring, hanging out, parks, playgrounds, 8.3% and shops in their neighbourhood. Feelings of Safety and Independence Neutral In Their Neighbourhood 23.3% Over half of kids reported feeling safe Agree on their own in their neighbourhood, but 30.6% there were significant differences between locations. For example, less than 42% of kids feel safe on their own near Kipling and G2. I Feel Like I Can Make a Positive Albion, while 75% feel safe on their own near Difference in My Neighbourhood Bathurst and Adelaide. More than half of kids explore their neighbourhood on their I don’t want to answer 2.2% own, while over a quarter are not allowed Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree to do so. Overall, 8% of all kids reported not 21.7% 6.7% feeling safe in their neighbourhood, even Disagree when accompanied by their parents. 5.6%

Neutral 31.7%

Agree 32.2% Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Detailed Findings 41 Kids’ Top 5 G3. I Feel Like I Belong In Neighbourhood Concerns My Neighbourhood

1. Safety and well-being of I don’t want to answer family members 1% Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree 2.8% 2. Strangers 35.6% Disagree 3. Traffic and cars 5.6% 4. Getting into trouble 5. Getting lost and finding places Neutral 18.9% to play (tied) Note: In some locations, kids are Agree also concerned about violence 36.1% and the threat of violence.

42 Feelings of Belonging and Empowerment In Their Neighbourhood

Most kids said they feel like they belong in their neighbourhood, that their ideas matter and adults are listening to them, and that they can make a positive difference in their neighbourhood. Many kids are proud of their neighbourhood, and feel like their neighbourhood is a good place for kids to grow up.

Kids Initial Thoughts on What They Like About Their Neighbourhood, And What They Would Change

The top elements kids said they like most The top elements kids said they would about their neighbourhood are: change about their neighbourhood are:

25 40 35 20 30

15 25 20 10 15 10 5 5 0 0

1. Friends (24%) 1. Build more parks and playgrounds, and equip them with more 2. Parks (24%) activities they like (40%) 3. People (15%) 2. Make it safer with less violence (22%) 4. Life (14%) 3. Reduce littering, pollution 5. School (7%) and smoking (20%) 6. My House (6%) 4. Increase number of kids living in the neighbourhood (9%) 5. Improve roads and sidewalks (7%) 6. Reduce traffic (3%)

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Detailed Findings 43 Aggregate KidScore Survey Findings

The KidScore represents the overall child- In the City of Toronto KidScore Pilot, the friendliness of an area as assessed by kids. KidScore survey was completed by kids The overall KidScore is out of 100,20 made in small groups either during or after the up of five subscores (Mobility and Traffic; neighbourhood walk in nine locations. This Spaces and Senses; Uses and Activities; Green section provides a summary of the data Space and Environment; Safety and Well- collected through the KidScore survey. Being). To produce this score, kids answer 78 Average KidScore Across questions in the KidScore survey across the Nine Locations: 45 five subcategories. The survey asks questions such as, “Is there public transit nearby?” or, Average SubScores/Lowest Average “Do the public spaces feel welcoming?” Each SubScore /Highest Average SubScore : question is weighted, based on what kids told Mobility and Traffic: 42 /24/58 Maximum City staff was most important to ‹‹ them during the research and development ‹‹ Spaces and Senses: 30/9/64 stage for the KidScore and YouthScore. ‹‹ Uses and Activities: 54/20/68 ‹‹ Green Space and Environment: 49/29/70 ‹‹ Safety and Well-Being: 52/ 38/64

Minimum and Maximum KidScores and SubScores across all nine locations are included in Appendix F.

See pages 9-12 for all KidScore and SubScore maps

20 While the KidScore is out of 100 and sometimes represented as a percentage in this report (e.g. “45% kid-friendly”), there are over 250 possible points within the index.

44 What Kids Discovered What Kids Discovered About Mobility and Traffic About Spaces and Senses

Generally, kids found that the areas they Kids found that the areas they explored were explored had a lot of car traffic, and were often dirty, littered, and not well maintained. well-served by public transit, especially Few kids thought there were enough places to buses. Some locations had bike lanes and sit, or garbage and recycling cans in the area bike parking. Most kids felt somewhat or they explored. Overall, about half of kids felt a little safe crossing the street, and more that the area they explored had public spaces broadly navigating as pedestrians, across all that felt friendly or welcoming to them, and nine locations. Most kids did not think the more than half felt like they couldn’t explore sidewalks were large enough for everyone. the area by themselves, without adults.

Over half of the groups who saw bike Percentage of Kids Who Saw the lanes in their area also saw a car or vehicle Following Features on Their Walk parked or driving in the bike lane. 100

80

Would you feel safe getting 60 around your area by biking 40 Yes 33.3% 20

No 25.6% 0 Public Art Tagging or A lot of Low-quality advertising Graffiti

A Little or Somewhat 41.0%

Do you feel safe getting around your area by walking

Yes 30.8%

A Little or Somewhat 69.2%

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Detailed Findings 45 What Kids Discovered What Kids Discovered About About Uses and Activities Safety and Well-Being

About three quarters of kids found that Kids found that the areas they explored the area they explored had affordable generally had friendly, familiar and helpful places for kids to shop and eat. Many kids people, with places they could go if they said the area they explored had things to needed help. Just under a third of kids said the see and do that interest them. However, area they explored felt safe, with just over half many kids also said the area they explored saying the area felt “a little or somewhat safe”. had a lot of construction, and about half said there were stores and places on their G4. Does Your Area Feel Safe? walk that made them feel unwelcome,

or that were unfriendly to kids. No Yes 15.4% 28.2% What Kids Discovered About Green Space and Environment

A little or somewhat Most areas kids explored had three or more 56.4% parks or places to play, with about half of kids noting that their location was either "very green or extremely green". Many kids found that the areas they explored Kids reported increased feelings generally had healthy-looking trees. of well-being after the walk.

On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate the "green-ness" of your area?

A little green Extremely 12.8% 23.1%

There is some green 30.8%

Very Green 33.3%

46 C1. Who Was The Person Or Place C2. What Are Some Of Your You Trust That You Saw That You Favourite Things That You Could Go To For Help If Needed? Noticed About Your Area?

Number of Responses Number of Responses

Stores (8) Green Space (30)

Home (7)

School (6), Stores (13) teacher (1) Animals (11) Library (6) Playgrounds (8) Fire station (5) Library (6) Neighbour/ acquaintance (4) Water park/ splash pad (5) Friends (3) Fresh air and Police station good smells (4) (3) / officers (2) Art (4) Community centre (3) People (4)

Family (2) Home (3)

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Detailed Findings 47 C3. What Are Some Of Your C4. What Are Some Of Your Ideas Least Favourite Things That You For Making Your Area Better Noticed About Your Area? For Kids, And For Everyone?

Number of Responses Number of Responses

Litter/ Garbage More green (25) space/ parks/ trees (20)

Smoking (14) More playgrounds Pollution / Bad (20) Smell (9) Cleaning up/ Scary, picking up abandoned and garbage (15) unwelcoming Build a water places (6) park/ pool (9)

Missing Make it safer (e.g. infrastructure by adding police or fire station) (8) (e.g. sidewalk or crosswalk) (6) Wider sidewalks (7) Graffiti (5) More stores (for kids) (5) Construction (4) More bike lanes/ Cars (4) shares (5)

Noise (3) More libraries (4) Less/ no smoking (4)

Less cars/ slower cars (4)

More art (3)

More space (3)

More beauty/ brighter colours (3)

48 Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Detailed Findings 49 Baseline Data KidScore Survey Information

Locations 9

Dates May - November 2019

Participants 248

Age Range 6-1221

Number of KidScore Surveys 39 Completed by Groups

Map of Toronto, showing all 9 locations City of Toronto Relevant Data22

Toronto Median Household Income $65,829 Average KidScore Total Number of Children Aged 184,755 6-12 in the City of Toronto

Percentage of Children Aged 6.8% Average Subscores 6-12 in the City of Toronto Traffic Total Number of Parks 1428 & Mobility

Total Number of Public 665 Spaces Elementary Schools23 & Senses Total Number of Libraries 100 Uses Total Number of Community Centres 171 & Activities

Total Number After School Programs 801 Green Space & Environment

21 A few five- and 13-year-olds participated. 22 Citywide and for each location, a selection of relevant Safety & characteristics sourced from City of Toronto 2016 Well-Being neighbourhood level data has been provided. There are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto.https://www. toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/neighbourhood-profiles/ 23 This total consists of four school boards: Toronto District School Board 473 (https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us); Toronto Catholic District School Board 171 (https://www.tcdsb.org/school/Pages/default.aspx); Conseil Scolaire Viamonde 12 (https://csviamonde.ca/nos-ecoles/trouver-une-ecole/ecoles-secteur/toronto/); Conseil Scolaire Catholique Mon Avenir 9 (https://www.cscmonavenir.ca/ecole/).

50 Location Snapshots

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Rationale 51 KidScore Survey Results Location 1: Sheppard Avenue and Malvern Street

Survey Information

Location Area Around Malvern Junior Public School (Scarborough)

Date May 7, 2019

Participants 19

Age Range 9-11

Number of KidScore Surveys 4 (41, 46, Completed by Groups 47, 49) Map of Toronto, showing location 1 in context

Neighbourhood Data for Malvern24

Median Household Income $64,114 KidScore

Percentage of Children 6-12 of 8.6% Total Neighbourhood Population Traffic & Mobility Parks 7

Public Elementary Schools25 15 Spaces & Senses

Libraries 2 Uses & Community Centres 4 Activities

After School Programs 14 Green Space & Environment Neighbourhood Improvement No Area (NIA) Status Safety & Child and Family Inequity High Inequity Score (Raising the Village) Well-Being

52 Kids here reported: Knowing the area around their school and where they completed their walks very well. Kids here discovered:

‹‹There is public transit (bus) nearby, within a 5-10 minute walk

‹‹They would feel safe getting around the area by biking

‹‹ There are a lot of cars in the area ‹‹There are no bike lanes in the area ‹‹There is available bike parking

‹‹There is a lot of noise in the area ‹‹They do not feel like they can explore the area by themselves, without adults

‹‹The area has enough garbage and recycling cans

‹‹There are public spaces in the area that feel friendly or welcoming to them ‹‹The area is not clean and well maintained

‹‹The area has affordable shops and stores, grocery stores and places to eat ‹‹There are things to see and do that interest them

‹‹The area has a lot of green space

‹‹They saw people they know or familiar faces ‹‹There is someone or some place they trust where they could go if then needed help The places/people included: their house, library, neighbour, and Catholic school Kids here were uncertain about:

• Whether they felt safe when crossing the street in the area

• Whether the area feels safe overall

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 53 KidScore Survey Results: Location 1

“I really loved this walk. I can now understand how places make me feel and describe those feelings.”

Kids here were split on: • Whether they feel safe getting around the area by walking

• Whether the area has enough benches and places to sit • Whether there are enough outdoor places to play

The area the kids explored made them feel hungry and happy.26

Kids’ favourite ‹‹Parks and green space ‹‹Library things they noticed ‹‹Animals ‹‹Shops about the area: ‹‹Art

Kids’ least favourite ‹‹Garbage/litter ‹‹Graffiti things they noticed ‹‹Broken or dead trees ‹‹Scary/abandoned places about the area: ‹‹Pollution

Kids’ ideas for making the area better for kids and for everyone:

‹‹Less litter and garbage, cleaning up ‹‹More parks and green space ‹‹More playgrounds ‹‹More stop signs ‹‹More libraries

54 KidScore Survey Results: Location 1 Well-Being Survey Results Number of Well-Being Surveys Completed by Individuals: 19 Age Range: 9-11 Kids here reported: “What I like most about ‹‹A high degree of empathy: 79% can usually understand how someone my neighbourhood else might be feeling if they try to put is the kind and themselves in someone else’ s shoes. caring people that ‹‹A sense of belonging: 63% feel like they belong in their neighbourhood. live close to me.”

‹‹A sense of pride in their neighbourhood: 63% feel proud of their neighbourhood. Kids here got Kids here agreed: excited about: ‹‹Their neighbourhood is a good ‹‹Food, exploring and playgrounds. place to grow up: 63% ‹‹Adults in their lives want to hear Kids here were their ideas and opinions: 74% worried about: They have a friend or family member to ‹‹ ‹‹People smoking, strangers and violence. talk to about how they are feeling: 85% ‹‹There are enough places to play Kids here wanted: in their neighbourhood: 84% ‹‹To travel to school by active transportation: most students travel by car but 84% Kids here were split on: would prefer to walk, bike or roll. ‹‹Whether they can make a positive ‹‹To reduce litter and smoking, and difference in their neighbourhood: 50% improve parks in their neighbourhood. Whether they feel safe on their own ‹‹ ‹‹More time alone. in their neighbourhood: 47%

24 For each location, a selection of relevant characteristics sourced from City of Toronto neighbourhood level data has been provided. There are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto.

25There are four public school boards in Toronto, including the TDSB with 473 schools; the TCDSB with 171 ; Conseil Scolaire Viamonde with 12; and Conseil Scolaire Mon Avenir with 9.

26 For questions about feelings in both the KidScore and Well-Being surveys, emojis were used in combinations with words as answer options.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 55 KidScore Survey Results Location 2: Royal York Road and Melrose Street

Survey Information

Location Area Around George R. Gauld Junior School (Mimico)

Date May 15, 2019

Participants 34

Age Range 6-11

Number of KidScore Surveys 6 (29, 38, 41, Completed by Groups 42, 43, 50) Map of Toronto, showing location 2 in context

Neighbourhood Level Data for Mimico27

Median Household Income $67,525 KidScore

Percentage of Children 6-12 of 4.2% Total Neighbourhood Population Traffic & Mobility Parks 7

Public Elementary Schools28 4 Spaces & Senses

Libraries 1 Uses & Community Centres 3 Activities

After School Programs 9 Green Space & Environment Neighbourhood Improvement No Area (NIA) Status Safety & Child and Family Inequity Low Inequity Score (Raising the Village) Well-Being

56 Kids here reported: Knowing the area around their school where they completed their walk well or very well. Kids here discovered:

‹‹There is public transit nearby (bus), within a 5-10 minute walk

‹‹There are a lot of cars in the area ‹‹There are bike lanes in the area »» Some kids saw cars parked or driving in the bike lane

‹‹There are not enough garbage and recycling cans

‹‹The area has public art ‹‹The area has convenience stores and supermarkets or grocery stores

‹‹The area has a lot of green space ‹‹They saw people they know or familiar faces while on their walk

‹‹People smiled and said hello while on the walk Kids here were “I feel scared in the uncertain about: neighbourhood because of the ‹‹Whether they feel safe walking in the area blind corners.”

Kids here were split on:

‹‹Whether they would feel safe biking in the area ‹‹Whether the area has wide sidewalks with enough room for everyone ‹‹Whether they feel safe crossing the street in the area ‹‹Whether the area has public spaces that feel friendly or welcoming to them ‹‹Whether they feel like they can explore the area on their own without adults ‹‹Whether the area has things to see and do that interest them ‹‹Whether the area feels safe Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 57 KidScore Survey Results: Location 2

The area the kids explored made them feel happy and excited.

Kids’ favourite ‹‹Parks/ green space ‹‹Friends things they noticed ‹‹Shops ‹‹Animals about the area: ‹‹Home ‹‹Places to sit Kids’ least favourite ‹‹Garbage/ litter ‹‹Smoking things they noticed ‹‹Weird people ‹‹Industrial area about the area: ‹‹Construction ‹‹Scary/ unwelcoming places

Kids’ ideas for making the area better for kids and for everyone:

‹‹Less litter and garbage, cleaning up, waste bins ‹‹More parks/ green space ‹‹More playgrounds ‹‹More bright colours ‹‹Wider sidewalks ‹‹More benches

27 For each location, a selection of relevant characteristics sourced from City of Toronto neighbourhood level data has been provided. There are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto.

28 There are four public school boards in Toronto, including the TDSB with 473 schools; the TCDSB with 171 ; Conseil Scolaire Viamonde with 12; and Conseil Scolaire Mon Avenir with 9.

58 KidScore Survey Results: Location 2 Well-Being Survey Results Number of Well-Being Surveys Completed by Individuals: 3429 Age Range: 6-11 Kids here reported: "What I like ‹‹A high degree of empathy: 87% can usually most about my understand how someone else might be feeling if they try to put themselves neighbourhood is in someone else’s shoes (ages 10-11). that I can walk to ‹‹Knowing their neighbours and the the store without people who live around them: 71% crossing at the lights." ‹‹Exploring their neighbourhood on their own or with friends but without an adult: 67% (ages 6-11) ‹‹They are looking forward to something in the next few weeks: 93% (ages 10-11) ‹‹A sense of belonging in their neighbourhood: 74% ‹‹Adults in their life want to hear their ideas and opinions: 71% ‹‹A sense of pride in their neighbourhood: 68% ‹‹They feel safe with friends on their own in their neighbourhood: 100% (ages 10-11) Kids here were split on:

‹‹Whether they can make a positive difference in their neighbourhood: 47% Kids here got excited about:

‹‹Hanging out, exploring, food, parks, playgrounds, and going Kids here agreed: to a friend's house nearby.

‹‹Their neighbourhood is a good place for children to grow up: 65% “My neighbourhood ‹‹They have a family member to talk to about how they are feeling: 93% (ages 10-11) makes me feel ‹‹They have a trusted adult outside welcome, safe, their family to talk to about how they and happy.” are feeling: 80% (ages 10-11)

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 59 KidScore Survey Results: Location 2

Kids here were “What I like worried about: most about my ‹‹Traffic and cars, strangers, finding neighbourhood is somewhere to play (ages 6-8), and crossing the street (ages 6-8). that most people in my neighbourhood Kids here wanted: know each other.” ‹‹To travel to school by active transportation: 76% would prefer to walk, bike or roll.

‹‹More sports fields and courts in their neighbourhood. “If I could change something about my neighbourhood, I would make less traffic.”

“If I could change something about my neighbourhood, I would put a sidewalk on my street.”

“If I could change something about my neighbourhood, I would make sure more kids lived here.”

“If I could change something about my neighbourhood, I would get people to come outside more than just playing on their phones.”

29 Two versions of the Well-Being survey were completed at this location: a shorter, simplified version for kids aged 6-8, and a slightly longer version for kids aged 10-12. Where findings refer to one group, a parenthetical note has been after the finding. All other findings refer to both groups.

60 Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 61 KidScore Survey Results Location 3: Bathurst Street and College Street

Survey Information

Location Area Around Kensington Community School (Downtown)

Date May 17, 2019

Participants 15

Age Range 8-9

Number of KidScore Surveys 4 Completed by Groups (54, 59, 63, 64) Map of Toronto, showing location 3 in context

Neighbourhood Data for Kensington-Chinatown30

Median Household Income $44,216 KidScore

Percentage of Children 6-12 of 3.1% Total Neighbourhood Population Traffic & Mobility Parks 4

Public Elementary Schools31 5 Spaces & Senses

Libraries 2 Uses & Community Centres 3 Activities

After School Programs 8 Green Space & Environment Neighbourhood Improvement No Area (NIA) Status Safety & Child and Family Inequity Very High Well-Being Score (Raising the Village) Inequity

62 KidScore Survey Results: Location 3 Kids here reported: Knowing the area around their school where they completed their walk well or very well. Kids here discovered:

‹‹There is public transit (bus, streetcar, bikeshare) nearby, within a 5-10 minute walk

‹‹The area has bike lanes ‹‹They would feel safe getting around the area by biking

‹‹There are cars/vehicles parked or driving on the sidewalk, blocking intersections or blocking pedestrian crossings

‹‹They feel safe crossing streets in the area

‹‹There are maps and tools for getting around the area that are mostly kid-friendly

‹‹The area has public spaces that feel friendly or welcoming to them

‹‹There are enough benches and places to sit in the area

‹‹There are enough garbage and recycling cans in the area »» The garbage and recycling system is easy to understand

‹‹The area has public art ‹‹They feel like they can explore the Kids here were area by themselves, without adults uncertain about: ‹Whether they feel safe ‹‹The area has affordable stores ‹ walking in the area

‹‹The area feels safe ‹‹Whether there are things to see and do that interest them in the area

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 63 KidScore Survey Results: Location 3 “One of my favourite “I liked walking things I noticed around and about my area is all exploring the city.” of the people.”

Kids here were split on: Kids’ favourite things they noticed about the area: ‹‹Whether the area is clean and well maintained ‹‹Parks/ green ‹‹Animals space Stores ‹‹Whether the area has a lot of ‹‹ green space ‹‹People ‹‹Fresh air

‹‹Whether there is someone or some place they could Kids’ least favourite go for help if needed things they noticed »» Those who answered yes identified the about the area: fire station as the place ‹‹Garbage/ litter ‹‹Bad smells they could go ‹‹Smoking ‹‹Cars

The area the kids walked made them feel happy, hungry and excited.

Kids’ ideas for making the area better for kids and for everyone:

‹‹More parks and green space ‹‹Less pollution ‹‹Electric cars ‹‹More bike infrastructure ‹‹More community centres/ libraries

30 For each location, a selection of relevant characteristics sourced from City of Toronto neighbourhood level data has been provided. There are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto.

31 There are four public school boards in Toronto, including the TDSB with 473 schools; the TCDSB with 171 ; Conseil Scolaire Viamonde with 12; and Conseil Scolaire Mon Avenir with 9.

64 KidScore Survey Results: Location 3 Well-Being Survey Results Number of Well-Being Surveys Completed by Individuals: 15 Age Range: 8-9

Kids here reported: "My neighbourhood ‹‹Feelings of empathy: 67% can usually makes me feel like understand how someone else might be feeling if they try to put themselves I live here and I in someone else’s shoes. belong here. I feel ‹‹Knowing their neighbours and the happy and safe.” people who live around them: 80% ‹‹A sense of belonging: 73% feel like they belong in their neighbourhood. Kids here were split on: A strong sense of pride in their ‹‹ ‹Whether they feel safe on their own neighbourhood: 80% feel proud ‹ in their neighbourhood: 47% of their neighbourhood. Kids here agreed: Kids here got

‹‹They can make a positive difference excited about: in their neighbourhood: 73% ‹‹Hanging out, exploring, food, ‹‹They feel safe with an adult in playgrounds and stores, their neighbourhood: 100% ‹‹There are enough places to play Kids here were in their neighbourhood: 80% worried about: ‹‹Their neighbourhood is a good place for kids to grow up: 60% ‹‹Traffic and cars. Kids here wanted: “If I could change ‹‹To travel to school by active transportation: something about 80% would prefer to walk, bike or roll. my neighbourhood, ‹‹More active and creative play opportunities I would make (e.g. making forts, trampolines, role playing). it more kid and green friendly.”

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 65 KidScore Survey Results Location 4: Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue

Survey Information

Location Area Around St. Monica Catholic School 32

Date June 3, 2019

Participants 26

Age Range 10-11

Number of KidScore Surveys 5 Completed by Groups (39, 42, 45, 50, 51) Map of Toronto, showing location 4 in context

Neighbourhood Level Data for Mount Pleasant West: 33 Median Household Income $61,839 KidScore

Percentage of Children 6-12 of 3.1% Total Neighbourhood Population Traffic & Mobility Parks 4

Public Elementary Schools34 4 Spaces & Senses

Libraries 0 (1 Nearby) Uses & Community Centres 1 Activities

After School Programs 3 Green Space & Environment Neighbourhood Improvement No Area (NIA) Status Safety & Child and Family Inequity Low Inequity Score (Raising the Village) Well-Being

66 KidScore Survey Results: Location 4 Kids here reported: Knowing the area where they completed their walks a little bit or somewhat well. Kids here discovered:

‹‹The area has nearby public transit (subway, bus, bikeshare), within a 5-10 minute walk

‹‹The area has a lot of cars ‹‹There are no bike lanes in the area

‹‹The area has a lot of advertising ‹‹They do not feel like they can explore the area by themselves, without adults

‹‹The area has a lot of different stores, including supermarkets and grocery stores Kids here were ‹The area has affordable stores ‹ uncertain about: ‹‹There are things to see and do that interest them in the area ‹‹Whether they feel safe getting ‹‹There is a lot of construction around the area by walking going on in the area ‹‹Whether their area feels safe ‹‹They felt better after going on the walk ‹‹They saw people they know Kids here were split on: or familiar faces on the walk ‹People smiled and said hello ‹‹Whether they would feel safe ‹ getting around the area by biking ‹‹There is someone or some place they could go for help if needed ‹‹Whether they felt safe crossing the street in the area »» Including: stores, police station, school, Starbucks ‹‹How much green space there is in the area

‹‹Whether there were enough places to play or be physically active.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 67 KidScore Survey Results: Location 4

The area the kids explored made them feel tired, hungry, calm and happy.

Kids’ favourite things they noticed about the area: ‹‹Parks/green ‹‹Animals space ‹‹Fresh air ‹‹Stores ‹‹Playground Kids’ least favourite things they noticed about the area: ‹‹Smoking ‹‹Construction ‹‹Pollution ‹‹Graffiti ‹‹Garbage/litter

Kids’ ideas for making the area better for kids and for everyone:

‹‹More parks and green space ‹‹More activities for kids ‹‹More bike infrastructure ‹‹More art ‹‹Police station

32 The KidScore participants at St. Monica Catholic School were part of a gifted program drawing kids from multiple schools in north central Toronto.

33 For each location, a selection of relevant characteristics sourced from City of Toronto neighbourhood level data has been provided. There are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto.

34 There are four public school boards in Toronto, including the TDSB with 473 schools; the TCDSB with 171 ; Conseil Scolaire Viamonde with 12; and Conseil Scolaire Mon Avenir with 9.

68 KidScore Survey Results: Location 4 Well-Being Survey Results Number of Well-Being Surveys Completed by Individuals: 26 Age Range: 10-11 Kids here reported: “What I like ‹‹A high level of empathy: 73% can usually understand how someone most about my else might be feeling if they try to put neighbourhood themselves in someone else’s shoes. is there are parks ‹‹A sense of belonging: 77% feel like they belong in their neighbourhood. EVERYWHERE." ‹‹Very low levels of worrying about things in their neighbourhood. Kids here were split on:

‹‹Whether they have a trusted adult Kids here agreed: outside of family they can talk to ‹‹They have a friend or family member to about how they are feeling: 27% talk to about how they are feeling. ‹‹Whether they feel like they can ‹‹They are looking forward to something make a positive difference in in the next few weeks: 78% their neighbourhood: 58% Their neighbourhood is a good ‹‹ ‹‹Whether adults in their life want to place for kids to grow up: 77% hear their ideas and opinions: 58% They feel safe in their neighbourhood: 85% ‹‹ ‹Whether they know of trusted adults who Their neighbourhood makes them ‹ ‹‹ are not family in their neighbourhood they feel happy and comforted. can go to if they have a problem: 50% ‹‹There are enough places to play in their neighbourhood. Kids here got "My neighbourhood excited about: makes me feel ‹‹Hanging out, exploring, food, playgrounds, safe, entertained Kids here were worried and cared about." about: very little

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 69 KidScore Survey Results: Location 4

“If I could change something about my neighbourhood, I would make a club to talk about your feelings and relationships.”

Kids here wanted: “If I could change ‹‹To travel to school by active transportation: 69% would something about my prefer to walk, bike or roll. neighbourhood, I ‹‹More time alone. would change the fact ‹‹More kids their age in their neighbourhood. that nobody interacts with each other.” ‹‹More parks.

“What I like most about my neighbourhood is the places I can go and the adventures I can go on.”

70 Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 71 KidScore Survey Results Location 5: Kipling Avenue and Albion Road

Survey Information

Location Area Around Greenholme Junior Middle School (Rexdale)

Date June 4, 2019

Participants 17

Age Range 10-13

Number of KidScore Surveys 5 Completed by Groups (45, 45, 53, 57, 60) Map of Toronto, showing location 5 in context

Neighbourhood Level Data for Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown: 35 Median Household Income $55,334 KidScore

Percentage of Children 6-12 of 10.7% Total Neighbourhood Population Traffic & Mobility Parks 7

Public Elementary Schools36 8 Spaces & Senses

Libraries 1 Uses & Community Centres 5 Activities

After School Programs 11 Green Space & Environment Neighbourhood Improvement Yes Area (NIA) Status Safety & Child and Family Inequity Very High Well-Being Score (Raising the Village) Inequity

72 KidScore Survey Results: Location 5 Kids here reported: Knowing the area around their school and where they completed their walks well or very well. Kids here discovered:

‹‹There is public transit (bus) nearby, within a 5-10 minute walk

‹‹The area has a lot of cars ‹‹The area does not have bike lanes

‹‹The area does not have enough garbage and recycling bins

‹‹The garbage and recycling system is easy to understand

‹‹The area has public art

‹‹The area has affordable shops and stores Kids here were ‹‹There are things to see and do uncertain about: in the area that interest them

‹‹Whether they feel safe getting ‹‹There is a lot of green around the area by walking space in the area ‹‹Whether they feel safe crossing the street in their area ‹‹They saw people they know or familiar faces while on the walk ‹‹Whether the area is clean ‹‹People smiled and said hello and well maintained ‹‹There is someone or some place they trust where they could go for help if needed »» The places included: fire station, “One of my favourite library, community centre things in the area is the wild park by the Humber.”

35 For each location, a selection of relevant characteristics sourced from City of Toronto neighbourhood level data has been provided. There are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto. 36 There are four public school boards in Toronto, including the TDSB with 473 schools; the TCDSB with 171 ; Conseil Scolaire Viamonde with 12; and Conseil Scolaire Mon Avenir with 9.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 73 KidScore Survey Results: Location 5 Kids here were split on: Kids’ favourite things they noticed ‹‹Whether they would feel safe getting around the area by biking about the area: Parks/ green Library ‹‹Whether the area has wide ‹‹ ‹‹ sidewalks with enough room for space ‹‹Playground everyone who wants to get around ‹‹Art ‹‹School ‹‹Home ‹‹Whether they feel like they can explore the area by Kids’ least favourite themselves, without adults things they noticed ‹‹Whether the area has stores about the area: or places that feel unwelcoming ‹‹Garbage/ litter ‹‹Graffiti or unfriendly to them ‹‹Missing ‹‹Ugly buildings infrastructure ‹Whether the area feels safe ‹ ‹‹Construction

The area the kids explored made them feel hungry, happy and calm.

Kids’ ideas for making the area better for kids and for everyone:

‹‹Less litter and garbage, cleaning up ‹‹No smoking ‹‹More playgrounds ‹‹Less construction ‹‹More kids ‹‹Less drugs and alcohol

74 KidScore Survey Results: Location 5 Well-Being Survey Results Number of Well-Being Surveys Completed by Individuals: 17 Age Range: 10-13 Kids here reported: “If I could change ‹‹Feelings of empathy: 65% can usually understand how someone else might something in my be feeling if they try to put themselves neighbourhood, I’m in someone else’s shoes. not a superhero but ‹‹That they like the green spaces and parks in their neighbourhood, I would take away and some of the people. all the violence in the area.” Kids here agreed:

‹‹They are looking forward to something ‹‹Whether adults in their life want to in the next few weeks: 88% hear their ideas and opinions: 47% They know their neighbours and the ‹‹ ‹‹Whether they feel safe on their people who live around them: 65% own in their neighbourhood: 35% Kids here were split on: Kids here got

‹‹Whether their neighbourhood is a excited about: good place for kids to grow up: 24% ‹‹Hanging out, food, exploring, ‹‹Whether they belong in their stores and playgrounds neighbourhood: 53%

‹‹Whether they feel proud of Kids here were their neighbourhood: 24% worried about: ‹‹Whether they can make a positive difference in their neighbourhood: 41% ‹‹Traffic and cars, gun violence, family, getting lost and getting in trouble.

“I feel happy that Kids here wanted: people came to ‹‹To travel to school by active transportation: see how we feel 71% would prefer to walk, bike or roll. ‹‹To change the amount of violence and the where we live.” threat of violence in their neighbourhood.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 75 KidScore Survey Results Location 6: Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard

Survey Information

Location Area Around Valley Park Middle School (North York)

Date June 19, 2019

Participants 26

Age Range 11-12

Number of KidScore Surveys 4 Completed by Groups (49, 56, 65, 40) Map of Toronto, showing location 6 in context

Neighbourhood Level Data for Flemingdon Park: 37 Overall Median Household Income $48,917 KidScore

Percentage of Children 6-12 of 9.1% Total Neighbourhood Population Traffic & Mobility Parks 6

Public Elementary Schools38 4 Spaces & Senses

Libraries 1 Uses & Community Centres 3 Activities

After School Programs 9 Green Space & Environment Neighbourhood Improvement Yes Area (NIA) Status Safety & Child and Family Inequity Very High Well-Being Score (Raising the Village) Inequity

76 KidScore Survey Results: Location 6 Kids here reported: Knowing the area around their school and where they completed their walks well or very well. Kids here discovered:

‹‹There is public transit (bus) nearby, ‹‹People smiled and said within a 5-10 minute walk hello on the walk

‹‹They feel safe getting around ‹‹They saw someone or some the area by walking place they trust where they could go for help if needed ‹‹The area has a lot of cars ‹The area has bike lanes »» The places/people included: ‹ neighbours, restaurants, bridge »» There are cars or vehicles parked helpline, library, school in or blocking the bike lane

‹‹The area has available bike parking ‹‹There are maps or tools for getting around the area

‹‹There are public spaces that feel friendly or welcoming to them

‹‹The area has public art

‹‹The area has a lot of different shops and stores, including affordable stores, grocery and convenience stores

‹‹There are affordable places where they would like to eat

‹‹The area would be good to hang out in and explore in different seasons and weather

‹‹There is a lot of green space in the area

‹‹They felt better after exploring 37 For each location, a selection of relevant the area on the walk characteristics sourced from City of Toronto neighbourhood level data has been provided. There ‹‹They saw people they know are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto. or familiar faces on the walk 38 There are four public school boards in Toronto, including the TDSB with 473 schools; the TCDSB with 171 ; Conseil Scolaire Viamonde with 12; and Conseil Scolaire Mon Avenir with 9.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 77 KidScore Survey Results: Location 6

Kids here were “One of my least uncertain about: favourite things is

‹‹Whether the area has wide that we didn’t find sidewalks with enough room for everyone who wants to get around any cyclists.”

‹‹Whether they feel safe crossing the street in the area Kids’ favourite things they ‹‹Whether there are enough noticed about the area: benches and places to sit ‹‹Parks/green ‹‹Playground space Animals ‹‹Whether the area has good ‹‹ protection from the weather ‹‹Shops ‹‹Library

‹‹Whether the area feels safe Kids’ least favourite ‹‹Whether the area would feel safe things they noticed at a different time of the day about the area:

‹‹Garbage/ litter ‹‹No cyclists Kids here were split on: ‹‹Missing ‹‹Trucks infrastructure ‹‹School ‹‹Whether they would feel safe getting around the area by biking “What I like ‹‹Whether they feel like they can explore the area by most about my themselves without adults neighbourhood is THE FOOOODDD.”

The area the kids explored made them feel tired, hungry and calm.

78 KidScore Survey Results: Location 6 Kids’ ideas for making “If I could change the area better for kids something about my neighbourhood, and for everyone: I would remove the ‹‹More playground and activities ‹‹Water park gangsters and make ‹‹Less litter and garbage, cleaning the place clean.” up, garbage cans ‹‹More parks and green space ‹‹More libraries

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 79 KidScore Survey Results: Location 6 Well-Being Survey Results Number of Well-Being Surveys Completed by Individuals: 23 Age Range: 10-12 Kids here reported: “What I like

‹‹A high degree of empathy: 91% can most about my usually understand how someone neighbourhood is it’s else might be feeling if they try to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. very calm and has an ‹‹A sense of belonging: 61% feel like they acceptable amount belong in their neighbourhood. of things to do.” ‹‹Their neighbourhood makes them feel happy but also unsafe at times because of violence, or the threat of violence. their ideas and opinions: 70% ‹‹Liking all the different things to do, and the ‹‹They feel safe with their friends on their people that make up their neighbourhood. own in their neighbourhood: 83% ‹‹There are enough places to play Kids here agreed: in their neighbourhood: 78%

‹‹They have a friend or family member to Kids here were split on: talk about how they are feeling: 70% ‹Whether their neighbourhood is a They have a trusted adult outside ‹ ‹‹ good place for kids to grow up: 52% their family they can talk to about how they are feeling: 78% ‹‹Whether they can make a positive difference in their neighbourhood: 48% ‹‹They know their neighbours and the people who live around them: 87% ‹‹Whether they feel safe on their own in their neighbourhood: 43% ‹‹They are looking forward to something in the next few weeks: 91% Kids here got ‹‹Adults in their life want to hear excited about:

“I'm excited about ‹‹Hanging out, food, exploring, the KidScore stores and parks. Maximum City survey and activities.”

80 KidScore Survey Results: Location 6

Kids here were “This was perfect worried about: I enjoyed really ‹‹Traffic and cars, family, strangers, gangs, doing this survey. violence and the threat of violence, bullying, being bored, and getting in trouble. You guys should get international because Kids here wanted: everyone in this ‹‹More time alone. world should have ‹‹More soccer fields. this experience.” ‹‹To change their neighbourhood by adding more parks, cleaning up the litter, and stopping violence.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 81 KidScore Survey Results Location 7: Bathurst Street and Richmond Street

Survey Information

Location Area Around St. Mary Elementary School39 (Downtown)

Date September 18, 2019

Participants 51

Age Range 6-11

Number of KidScore Surveys 5 Completed by Groups (30, 32, 34, 42, 44) Map of Toronto, showing location 7 in context

Neighbourhood Level Data for Niagara: 40 Overall Median Household Income $79,441 KidScore

Percentage of Children 6-12 of 2.0% Total Neighbourhood Population Traffic & Mobility Parks 10

Public Elementary Schools41 2 Spaces & Senses

Libraries 1 Uses & Community Centres 0 (1 nearby) Activities

After School Programs 2 Green Space & Environment Neighbourhood Improvement No Area (NIA) Status Safety & Child and Family Inequity Low Inequity Score (Raising the Village) Well-Being

82 KidScore Survey Results: Location 7 Kids here reported: Knowing the area around their school and where they completed their walks somewhat well or very well. Kids here discovered:

‹‹There is public transit (streetcar, bus, bikeshare, GO Train/ RER, subway) nearby, within a 5-10 minute walk

‹‹The area has a lot of cars ‹‹The area has bike lanes ‹‹The area has available bike parking

‹‹The area does not have enough benches and places to sit

‹‹The area is not clean and well maintained ‹There is ‘a little’ or ‘some’ ‹‹The area has public art ‹ greenspace in the area ‹‹They do not feel like they can explore the area by ‹‹People smiled and said themselves without adults hello while on the walk ‹They saw someone or some ‹‹The area has a lot of different ‹ shops and stores, including place they trust where they grocery and convenience stores could go for help if needed » These places/people ‹‹The area has stores or places » that feel unwelcoming or included: Police officer, unfriendly to them mom, library, Tim Hortons

‹‹The area would be good to hang out in and explore in different seasons and weather

39 The KidScore participants at this location were students from Bishop Macdonell School which was temporarily located at St. Mary Elementary until construction of a new school was completed. 40 For each location, a selection of relevant characteristics sourced from City of Toronto neighbourhood level data has been provided. There are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto.

41 There are four public school boards in Toronto, including the TDSB with 473 schools; the TCDSB with 171 ; Conseil Scolaire Viamonde with 12; and Conseil Scolaire Mon Avenir with 9.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 83 KidScore Survey Results: Location 7

Kids here were uncertain about: Kids here were split on:

‹‹Whether they feel safe getting ‹‹Whether the area has wide around the area by walking sidewalks with enough room for everyone who wants to get around ‹‹Whether they would feel safe getting around the area by biking ‹‹Whether the area has wide streets that take a long time ‹‹Whether they feel safe crossing the street in the area to cross when walking ‹Whether the area has public ‹‹Whether the area has ‹ affordable shops and stores spaces that feel friendly or welcoming to them ‹‹Whether there are things to see and do in the area that interest them ‹‹Whether the area has enough garbage and recycling cans ‹‹Whether the area has good protection from the weather ‹‹Whether the area has affordable places where they would like to eat ‹‹Whether the area has places for chilling and hanging out ‹‹Whether the area feels safe Kids’ favourite things they ‹‹Whether the area would feel safe at different times of day noticed about the area: ‹‹Buildings ‹‹Parks/ green ‹‹Pedestrian space “Construction makes button ‹‹Streetcars ‹‹Stores me feel excited Kids’ least favourite because you never things they noticed know what’s going about the area: to be built.” ‹‹Smoking ‹‹Pollution ‹‹Garbage ‹‹Noise ‹‹Graffiti

The area the kids explored made them feel excited and happy.

84 KidScore Survey Results: Location 7

Kids’ ideas for making the area better for kids and for everyone:

‹‹Water park or outdoor pool ‹‹More playgrounds and activities ‹‹More parks and green space ‹‹No smoking ‹‹Less litter and garbage ‹‹More space

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 85 KidScore Survey Results: Location 7 Well-Being Survey Results Number of Well-Being Surveys Completed by Individuals: 28 Age Range: 7-11 Kids here reported: Kids here got ‹‹A sense of belonging: 79% feel like excited about: they belong in their neighbourhood. ‹Hanging out, food, exploring, stores, parks A sense of pride: 64% feel proud ‹ ‹‹ and playgrounds, and all the new buildings. of their neighbourhood. ‹‹They like that there is always something to do in their neighbourhood, and they Kids here were can easily go to a bunch of fun places. worried about: ‹‹Traffic and cars, family, strangers, Kids here agreed: and getting lost. ‹‹They have a family member to talk about how they are feeling: 79% Kids here wanted: They have a trusted adult outside ‹‹ ‹‹To walk, bike or take transit to school. of their family to talk to about ‹‹More parks and playgrounds, and more how they are feeling: 75% kids living in their neighbourhood. They are looking forward to something ‹‹ ‹More sports equipment and in the next few weeks: 86% ‹ swings in outdoor spaces. ‹‹Their neighbourhood is a good place for kids to grow up: 75% ‹‹To play video games for an indoor activity. ‹Tim Hortons timbits. ‹‹They feel safe with their friends on their ‹ own in their neighbourhood: 75% ‹‹They feel safe on their own in their neighbourhood: 64% ‹‹There are enough places to play “What I like in their neighbourhood: 64% most about my Kids here were split on: neighbourhood is it has a lot of ‹‹Whether they can usually understand how someone else might be feeling if they try shops, restaurants, to put themselves in their shoes: 54% entertainment ‹‹Whether they know their neighbours and the people who live around them: 50% and a big park.”

86 KidScore Survey Results: Location 7

“My neighbourhood makes me feel excited about its future.”

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 87 KidScore Survey Results Location 8: Kennedy Road and Lawrence Avenue

Survey Information

Location Area Around St. Lawrence Catholic School (Scarborough)

Date October 2, 2019

Participants 15

Age Range 8-11

Number of KidScore Surveys 3 Completed by Groups (31, 40, 40) Map of Toronto, showing location 8 in context

Neighbourhood Level Data for Dorset Park: 42 Overall Median Household Income $57,986 KidScore

Percentage of Children 6-12 of 8.2% Total Neighbourhood Population Traffic & Mobility Parks 7

Public Elementary Schools43 5 Spaces & Senses

Libraries 1 Uses & Community Centres 1 Activities

After School Programs 9 Green Space & Environment Neighbourhood Improvement No Area (NIA) Status Safety & Child and Family Inequity High Inequity Score (Raising the Village) Well-Being

88 KidScore Survey Results: Location 8

Kids here reported: Knowing the area around their school and where they completed their walks somewhat well or well. Kids here discovered:

‹‹There is public transit (bus) nearby, ‹‹The area has affordable within a 5-10 minute walk shops and stores

‹‹They would not feel comfortable ‹‹The area has affordable places getting around the area by biking where kids would like to eat

‹‹The area has a lot of cars ‹‹There are things to see and do that interest them in the area ‹‹The area does not have bike lanes ‹The area has available bike parking ‹ ‹‹The area does not have good protection from the weather ‹‹The area does not have sidewalks with enough room for everyone ‹‹The area has places for who wants to get around chilling and hanging out ‹‹The streets are wide and take a long time to cross when walking ‹‹The area would not feel safe at different times of the day ‹‹There are no maps or tools for getting around the area ‹‹They saw people they know or familiar faces on the walk ‹The area is noisy ‹ ‹‹People smiled and said hello on their walk ‹‹There are public spaces that feel friendly or welcoming to them ‹‹They saw someone or some place where they could ‹‹The area does not have enough benched and places to sit go for help if needed » These people/places ‹‹There are not enough garbage » and recycling cans included: Friend, community centre and crossing guard ‹‹The area is not clean and well maintained

‹‹The area has public art ‹‹Groups do not feel like they can explore the area by themselves, without adults

42 For each location, a selection of relevant characteristics sourced from City of Toronto neighbourhood level data has been provided. There are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto. 43 There are four public school boards in Toronto, including the TDSB with 473 schools; the TCDSB with 171 ; Conseil Scolaire Viamonde with 12; and Conseil Scolaire Mon Avenir with 9.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 89 KidScore Survey Results: Location 8

Kids here were uncertain about: “The KidScore made ‹‹Whether they feel safe getting around the area by walking me want to help the neighbourhood ‹‹Whether they feel safe crossing the street and make changes

‹‹Whether the area feels safe to make it better.”

Kids here were split on: Kids’ favourite things they noticed about the area: ‹‹Whether the area has a lot of different shops and stores including ‹‹Parks/ green ‹‹Benches grocery and convenience stores space ‹‹Animals Shops Art ‹‹Whether the area has stores or ‹‹ ‹‹ places that feel unwelcoming ‹‹Playground or unfriendly to them Kids’ least favourite ‹‹Whether the area would be good to hang out in and explore in things they noticed different seasons and weather about the area: ‹‹Whether the area would ‹‹Missing ‹‹Abandoned be good to hang out in and infrastructure/ places explore at different times of the sidewalks Barking dogs day and days of the week ‹‹ ‹‹Garbage

The area the kids explored made them feel hungry, bored, excited, tired and calm.

90 KidScore Survey Results: Location 8

Kids’ ideas for making the area better for kids and for everyone: ‹‹Less garbage/ litter ‹‹Fewer cars ‹‹Less pollution/ bad smells ‹‹Improve missing infrastructure ‹‹Remove dead animals ‹‹Fewer cigarettes

Well-Being Survey Results

This group did not complete the individual well-being survey due to time constraints.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 91 KidScore Survey Results Location 9: Avenue Road and St. Clements Avenue

Survey Information

Location Area Around Allenby Junior Public School

Date October 18, 2019

Participants 60

Age Range 5-7

Number of KidScore Surveys 3 Completed by Groups (25, 36, 44) Map of Toronto, showing location 9 in context

Neighbourhood Level Data for Lawrence Park South (North Central Toronto): 44 Overall Median Household Income $151,885 KidScore

Percentage of Children 6-12 of 9.9% Total Neighbourhood Population Traffic & Mobility Parks 5

Public Elementary Schools45 4 Spaces & Senses

Libraries 1 Uses & Community Centres 0 Activities

After School Programs 3 Green Space & Environment Neighbourhood Improvement No Area (NIA) Status Safety & Child and Family Inequity Very Low Well-Being Score (Raising the Village) Inequity

92 KidScore Survey Results: Location 9 Kids here reported: Knowing the area around their school and where they completed their walks somewhat well or well. Kids here discovered:

‹‹The area has public transit ‹‹The area does not have a lot (bus, streetcar) nearby, of different shops and stores within a 5-10 minute walk ‹‹The area does not have affordable ‹‹The area has a lot of cars places where they would like to eat ‹‹The area does not have bike lanes ‹‹The area would be good to hang out in and explore at ‹‹There is bike parking available in the area different times of the day and different days of the week ‹‹The area does not have sidewalks with enough room for everyone ‹‹The area has a lot of greenspace who wants to get around ‹‹People smiled and said ‹‹The area does not have enough hello while on the walk garbage and recycling cans

‹‹The area does not have a lot of people smoking

‹‹The area has public art ‹‹They do not feel like they can explore the area by themselves without adults

44 For each location, a selection of relevant characteristics sourced from City of Toronto neighbourhood level data has been provided. There are 140 official Neighbourhoods in Toronto. 45 There are four public school boards in Toronto, including the TDSB with 473 schools; the TCDSB with 171 ; Conseil Scolaire Viamonde with 12; and Conseil Scolaire Mon Avenir with 9.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 93 KidScore Survey Results: Location 9 Kids here were uncertain about:

‹‹Whether they feel safe getting around the area by walking “All of the fast cars ‹‹Whether they feel safe crossing the street in the area close to the sidewalk on Avenue Road ‹‹Whether the garbage and recycling system is easy to understand made us feel upset.” ‹‹Whether the area is clean and well maintained Kids here were split on: ‹‹Whether there are stores or places that feel unfriendly ‹‹Whether they would feel safe or unwelcoming to them getting around the area by biking ‹‹Whether there are things to see and do that interest ‹‹Whether the area has public them in the area spaces that feel friendly or welcoming to them ‹‹Whether the area would be good to hang out in and explore in ‹‹Whether the area has enough different seasons and weather benches and places to sit

‹‹Whether the area has good ‹‹Whether they saw someone protection from the weather or some place where the could go for help if needed ‹Whether the area feels safe ‹ »» Those who answered yes ‹‹Whether the area feels safe identified teachers as the at different times of the day people they could go to

94 KidScore Survey Results: Location 9

The area the kids explored made them feel safe, worried, bored, excited, tired, hungry, calm and happy.

Kids’ favourite ‹‹Animals ‹‹Parks/ green space things they noticed ‹‹Halloween Decorations ‹‹Home about the area: ‹‹Cars ‹‹Infrastructure Kids’ least favourite ‹‹Garbage/ litter ‹‹Cars things they noticed ‹‹Pollution/ bad smells ‹‹Missing infrastructure (safer about the area: sidewalks, crosswalks) ‹‹Dead animal ‹‹Cigarettes Kids’ ideas for making the area better for kids and for everyone:

‹‹Less litter and garbage/ cleaning up ‹‹Improving sidewalks (wider, smoother surfaces) ‹‹Playgrounds (waterpark) ‹‹Traffic safety ‹‹More electric cars ‹‹More schools/ libraries

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 95 KidScore Survey Results: Location 9

Well-Being Survey Results Number of Well-Being Surveys Completed by Individuals: 1846 Age Range: 5-7 Kids here reported: “My neighbourhood ‹‹A sense of pride in their neighbourhood: 100% ‹‹A sense of belonging in their makes me feel happy neighbourhood: 83% and calm because ‹‹Knowing their neighbours and the people who live around them: 78% it is peaceful.” Kids here agreed: Kids here got

‹‹Their neighbourhood is a good excited about: place for kids to grow up: 94% ‹Hanging out, exploring, food, parks, They can make a positive difference ‹ ‹‹ playgrounds, and places to walk to. in their neighbourhood: 81% ‹‹Adults in their life want to hear Kids here were their ideas and opinions: 94% worried about:

“What I like ‹‹Traffic and cars, crossing the street, most about my cars going too fast, family, strangers, neighbourhood bullying and getting lost. is there is lots of Kids here wanted:

nature and kids.” ‹‹To travel to school by active transportation: 83% would prefer to walk, bike or roll.

‹‹Even more trees and green in Kids here were split on: their neighbourhood. ‹‹Whether they can usually understand how someone else might be feeling if they try to put themselves in their shoes: 54%

‹‹Whether they know their neighbours and the people who live around them: 50%

46 One class out of three completed the place-based well-being survey with the help of their teacher in advance of Maximum City’s visit to facilitate the neighbourhood walk and onsite survey.

96 KidScore Survey Results: Location 9

“What I like “If I could change most about my something about neighbourhood my neighbourhood, is being able to I would add more walk around.” houses for people to live and even more kids.”

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Location Snapshots 97 Conclusions and Recommendations

98 Conclusions

Kids are an important segment of urban Based on feedback from City staff, the KidScore populations worldwide, yet their voices and aligns with and can help to achieve some of the participation in the planning and city building goals outlined in policy documents and initiatives decisions that impact their lives are often (e.g. the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy overlooked. Kids have unique experiences and 2020 Actions Catalogue; the Youth Engagement different knowledge of cities. The KidScore Strategy, Well-Being Toronto; Vision Zero). The enables young people to learn about, KidScore can help to meet the City’s engagement reflect on, and meaningfully contribute to and consultation goals. and its data needs. the development and improvement of their Based on feedback from teachers and school communities, while providing policy makers with leaders, the KidScore extends traditional classroom powerful data to guide city-building decisions and community learning, meets various cross- towards more child-friendly outcomes. disciplinary curriculum expectations, and helps The data collected through the KidScore kids develop civic skills, confidence and global Pilot Program uncovers differences in how competencies through hands-on activities. kids experience a neighbourhood compared Based on feedback from kids, the KidScore to some adults. These data provide an can increase feelings of well-being, confidence evidence-based foundation to encourage and independence in children. KidScore fosters city builders and decision makers to plan and community interactions and connects kids more program neighborhood attributes that are deeply to the people and places where they live kid-friendly, and not just adult-friendly. and go to school. The KidScore taps into kids’ The KidScore can be generated by children in a innate curiosity about the world around them, variety of settings, including schools, libraries, as well as their natural desire to make it better. community groups, and with friends, families, and allies. The KidScore can be used across neighbourhood types, as demonstrated by this KidScore Pilot Program, which included participation of kids in neighbourhoods across the socioeconomic spectrum and a variety of built forms. The KidScore Pilot Program illustrated the tool’s ability to contribute to reducing neighbourhood stigmas by celebrating strengths, and identifying neighbourhood elements that can be held as exemplars or best practices. The KidScore is a tool that can help city builders learn from and celebrate all neighbourhoods — not just those that some adults traditionally view as desirable or successful.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Conclusions and Recommendations 99 Recommendations

Building the KidScore Database

‹‹ Refine and streamline the KidScore survey tools and process, using the lessons learned from the pilot, to create a simplified version that can be used by anyone, with or without trained facilitators.

‹‹ Review the scoring, weighting, and categories (e.g. Spaces and Senses which showed low scores across most locations).

‹‹ Continue to seek opportunities to engage kids in diverse Toronto communities to complete KidScore assessments in all 140 Toronto neighbourhoods by: »» Making the KidScore a cornerstone of the Child Friendly TO initiative. »» Sharing a turnkey version of the KidScore with teachers, program and City staff, and groups of kids that want to complete KidScore assessments independently. »» Creating a toolkit and quality control measures. »» Facilitating the KidScore process with Maximum City staff in strategic locations, such as geographically diverse, underserved and equity-seeking communities. »» Partnering with schools, libraries and after school programs to increase the uptake of the KidScore. »» Aggregating all new scores onto the KidScore map and database with the functionality to comment, annotate and complete new assessments in the same or nearby locations. »» Returning to the locations assessed in the 2019 Pilot within five years for new assessments.

100 Applying and Extending the KidScore Data

‹‹ Produce data-based recommendations for improving the child-friendliness of the nine locations assessed in the Pilot.

‹‹ Use KidScore data as an evidence-based tool to identify and address local planning and policy gaps, and celebrate successes.

‹‹ Identify key strategic partners and divisions at the City whose needs can be met with the help of KidScore data.

‹‹ Make the KidScore a practical element of the City’s overall data, engagement and consultation strategies.

‹‹ Use KidScore data in tandem with other data sets such as Raising the Village and Well-Being Toronto.

‹‹ Continue to work with and analyze the KidScore and Well-Being data sets to look for correlations.

‹‹ Continue to work with and analyze the KidScore data to dig deeper on child-friendly Toronto questions: »» What are the trends at the citywide level? »» Where are the gaps and best practices at the location level?

Strengthening Child-Friendly Cities Outcomes

‹‹ Report back to participating communities for follow up with outcomes and planning for solutions to celebrate local best practices and provide advice on how to address location-level gaps.

‹‹ Recommend nine “kid wins” for improving the child-friendliness of the nine locations based on the KidScore data.

‹‹ Create a Child-Friendly Communities Checklist based on the KidScore data and engagement process.

‹‹ Collaborate with City staff across relevant divisions on actionable outcomes from the current pilot data set.

‹‹ Convene regular and meaningful opportunities for KidScore participants to present their solutions to policy and decision makers.

‹‹ Create sound processes for formalizing the KidScore as part of the City’s overall engagement strategy and public consultation and engagement activities, with concrete child-friendly outcomes.

Kidscore Pilot Program Report: Conclusions and Recommendations 101 Appendices

102 Appendix A: KidScore Survey Scores by Group and Location

Appendix B: KidScore Survey Scores by Group and Location

ID Traffic & Spaces & Uses & Green Space & Safety & Number Location KidScore Mobility Senses Activities Environment Well-Being Sheppard Avenue and 1 Malvern Street 41 33 27 70 65 30 Sheppard Avenue and 2 Malvern Street 47 40 35 48 58 52 Sheppard Avenue and 3 Malvern Street 46 46 14 58 55 64 Sheppard Avenue and 4 Malvern Street 49 46 27 76 52 48

Averages for Sheppard Avenue and Malvern Street 46 41 26 63 58 49 Royal York Road and 5 Melrose Street 41 27 30 58 42 44 Royal York Road and 6 Melrose Street 43 40 8 55 48 56 Royal York Road and 7 Melrose Street 38 31 35 33 39 46 Royal York Road and 8 Melrose Street 50 52 49 58 77 36 Royal York Road and 9 Melrose Street 42 52 30 52 52 26 Royal York Road and 10 Melrose Street 29 21 -5 45 77 18

Averages for Royal York Road and Melrose Street 41 37 25 50 56 38 Bathurst Street and 11 College Street 64 73 65 76 48 56 Bathurst Street and 12 College Street 59 63 59 61 77 46 Bathurst Street and 13 College Street 63 62 62 64 58 68 Bathurst Street and 14 College Street 54 35 70 64 42 58

Kidscore Pilot Program Report 103 73

Averages for Bathurst Street and College Street 60 58 64 66 56 57 Yonge Street and 15 Eglinton Avenue 45 48 16 73 32 48 Yonge Street and 16 Eglinton Avenue 39 38 11 55 26 48 Yonge Street and 17 Eglinton Avenue 50 42 46 52 45 68 Yonge Street and 18 Eglinton Avenue 51 44 27 73 55 64 Yonge Street and 19 Eglinton Avenue 42 38 0 79 32 52

Averages for Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue 45 42 20 66 38 56 Kipling Avenue and 20 Albion Road 57 42 57 76 97 48 Kipling Avenue and 21 Albion Road 53 23 49 70 81 66 Kipling Avenue and 22 Albion Road 45 25 22 61 55 74 Kipling Avenue and 23 Albion Road 45 38 14 67 45 60 Kipling Avenue and 24 Albion Road 60 63 38 64 74 72

Averages for Kipling Avenue and Albion Road 52 38 36 68 70 64 Don Mills Road and 25 Overlea Boulevard 49 49 28 53 48 61 Don Mills Road and 26 Overlea Boulevard 65 68 66 68 44 83 Don Mills Road and 27 Overlea Boulevard 56 53 31 71 48 76

Don Mills Road and 28 Overlea Boulevard 40 38 41 41 50 32

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Averages for Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard 53 52 42 58 48 63 Bathurst Street and 29 Richmond Street 42 38 13 62 28 71 Bathurst Street and 30 Richmond Street 30 55 -3 21 34 27 Bathurst Street and 31 Richmond Street 44 68 9 38 30 61 Bathurst Street and 32 Richmond Street 32 49 3 32 24 41 Bathurst Street and 33 Richmond Street 34 47 25 12 30 46

Averages for Bathurst Street and Richmond Street 36 51 9 33 29 49 Kennedy Road and 34 Lawrence Avenue 40 23 38 74 36 44 Kennedy Road and 35 Lawrence Avenue 40 23 34 44 44 59 Kennedy Road and 36 Lawrence Avenue 31 25 9 35 38 46

Averages for Kennedy Road and Lawrence Avenue 37 24 27 51 39 50 Avenue Road and St. 37 Clements Avenue 44 38 41 32 48 59 Avenue Road and St. 38 Clements Avenue 36 26 31 24 42 54 Avenue Road and St. 39 Clements Avenue 25 32 16 3 30 37

Averages for Avenue Road and St. Clements Avenue 35 32 29 20 40 50 Overall Averages 45 42 30 54 49 52

Kidscore Pilot Program Report 105

75 surveys in each location is displayed in the graph, below: The range of KidScores and SubScores submitted through

106 0 34 38 22 20 26 51 44 15 65 Safety & Well- Being Range 64 56 68 68 74 83 71 59 50 83 Max of Safety Safety of Max Well-Being & 30 18 46 48 48 32 27 44 50 18 Min of Safety & Well-Being 6 8 0 13 38 35 29 52 10 73 Green Space & & Space Green Environment Range 65 77 77 55 97 50 34 44 40 97 Max of Green Green of Max Space & Environment 52 39 42 26 45 44 24 36 40 24 Min of Green Green of Min Space & Environment 0 28 25 15 27 15 30 50 39 76 Uses & Activities Range 76 58 76 79 76 71 62 74 20 79 Max of Uses & & Uses of Max Activities 3 48 33 61 52 61 41 12 35 20 Min of Uses & Activities 0 21 54 11 46 43 38 28 29 75 Spaces & Senses Range 35 70 57 66 29 46 38 49 25 70 Max of Spaces Spaces of Max & Senses 0 9 -5 -3 -5 14 59 14 28 29 Min of Spaces & Senses 2 0 13 31 38 10 40 30 30 52 Traffic and and Traffic Mobility Range 46 52 73 48 63 68 68 25 32 73 Max of Traffic Traffic of Max & Mobility 33 21 35 38 23 38 38 23 32 21 Min of Traffic & & Traffic of Min Mobility 8 9 0 21 10 12 15 25 14 40 KidScore Range 49 50 64 51 60 65 44 40 65 35 Max of of Max Kidscore 41 29 54 39 45 40 30 31 25 35 Min of Kidscore Location 1: Sheppard Avenue and Malvern Street and Malvern Avenue Sheppard 1: Location Row Labels Street and Melrose Road York Royal 2: Location Street and College Street Bathurst 3: Location Avenue and Eglinton Street Yonge 4: Location Road and Albion Avenue Kipling 5: Location Boulevard and Overlea Road Don Mills 6: Location Street and Richmond Street Bathurst 7: Location Avenue and Lawrence Road Kennedy 8: Location Avenue Clements and St. Road Avenue for Averages 9: Location Overall KidScore Analysis - SubScores Analysis KidScore location: by ranges and Subscore KidScore Minimum and Maximum Kidscore Pilot Program Report 107 Appendix B: How To Use the KidScore Spatial Map (Guide)

The Afollowingppendix Cis: meantHow T oto U guidese the users KidS cnewore Stop athetia lKidScore Map (Gu iSPatialde) Map, available here:. https://maximumcity.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/ index.html?id=f7d199cbc1fb490b90b2c715f61e2d16The following is meant to guide users new to the KidScore SPatial Map, available here ​ Using The KidScore Map Using The KidScore Map ‹‹ Cluster size represents the number of survey assessments completed by kids ● Cluster size represents the number of survey assessments completed by kids ‹‹ Darker colours represent higher scores while lighter colours represent lower scores ● Darker colours represent higher scores while lighter colours represent lower scores ‹‹ The clusters will break into individual survey points as you zoom in ● The clusters will break into individual survey points as you zoom in ‹‹ Information pop-ups will appear when a point or a cluster is clicked ● Information pop-ups will appear when a point or a cluster is clicked ‹‹ Use the widgets (explained below) to further explore the KidScore data ● Use the widgets (explained below) to further explore the KidScore data

Widget Basic Functionality

● Includes more information on the KidScore and KidScore City of Toronto Pilot Project ● Links to Maximum City website

About

● Displays the legend for the layers of the map that are visible and turned on

Legend

● Allows users to turn map layers on and off ● It is recommended that only one subscore layer is turned on at a time since they are overlapping layers ○ Subscore layer visibility is improved if ‘Overall KidScore’ layer is turned off Layers ● Additional layers have been added for context (e.g. TDSB schools)

● Add additional data to the map to further contextualize the KidScore data ○ Click ‘My Organization’ then select ArcGIS Online to search the database of layers ○ Search for layers and click ‘add’ to add them to the Add Data map

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● Filters KidScore and Subscore layers by location ● The filter will stay on if this window is closed ● Click ‘reset’ to clear the filter

Filter Data

● Brings you back to the same map view as when the app launched

Home

● Allows you to find your current location on the map (if location services are enabled)

My Location

● Allows you to share the app by posting it on social media, sending an email or embedding it in a website or blog

Share

Kidscore Pilot Program Report 109 77 Appendix C: Pilot Communities Outreach and Location Selection Criteria

To identify and select our pilot communities we identified criteria along with the City to get a broad representation of kids living in Toronto involved with the KidScore. There were multiple criteria for selecting the locations to engage in the assessments, including:

‹‹ The inclusion of two communities identified as Neighbourhood Improvement Areas;

‹‹ Providing equal dispersion within the four quartiles of the Raising the Village’s Child and Families Inequities Score;

‹‹ Ensuring geographic diversity within the city of Toronto; ‹‹ Ensuring age diversity of participants’ ages within the 6-12 cohort; and,

‹‹ Including a variety of contexts and built forms, such as vertical communities, mixed use, and single-family residential communities.

46 https://raisingthevillage.ca/child-family-inequities-score-2/

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Table: Location Selection Criteria Location School Neighbourhood Age Inequities Neighbourhoo Score d Improvement Area

Sheppard Malvern 9-11 High No Avenue and Malvern (Scarborough) Malvern Junior Public Street School Royal York Mimico 6-11 Low No Road and George R (Etobicoke) Melrose Gauld Junior Street School Bathurst Kensington University 8&9 Very Low No Street and Community (Downtown) College Street School Yonge Street St Monica Mount Pleasant 10&11 Low No and Eglinton Catholic West Avenue School Mount 10-13 Very High Yes Kipling Greenholme Olive-Silverston Avenue and Junior Middle e-Jamestown Albion Road School Rexdale Don Mills Thorncliffe 11-12 Very High Yes Road and Park/Flemingdo Overlea Valley Park n Boulevard Middle School Bishop Niagara 6-11 Low No Macdonell Bathurst Catholic Street and Elementary Richmond School (St. Street Mary's) Kennedy Dorset Park 8-11 High No Road and St. Lawrence Lawrence Catholic Avenue School Avenue Road Lawrence Park 5-7 Very Low No and St. South Clements Allenby Junior Avenue Public School

Kidscore Pilot Program Report 111

80 Pilot Program, as well as City of Toronto averages/totals. level data, for each of the communities included in the 2019 KidScore The following table provides an overview of relevant neighbourhood Appendix D: Neighborhood Level Data and St. Clements Avenue Location 9: Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue Location 8: Kennedy Road and Eglinton Avenue Location 4: Yonge Street and Richmond Street Location 7: Bathurst Street and College Street Location 3: Bathurst Street and Overlea Boulevard Location 6: Don Mills Road Road and Melrose Street Location 2: Royal York Street Avenue and Malvern Location 1: Sheppard and Albion Road Location 5: Kipling Avenue Data Set City of Toronto Average City of Toronto d Income Househol Median 151,885 57,986 61,839 79,441 44,216 48,917 67,525 64,114 55,334 65,829 Aged 6-12 are Children Population that Neighbourhood Percentage of 10.7% 9.9% 8.2% 3.1% 2.0% 3.1% 9.1% 4.2% 8.6% 6.8% Parks 1428 10 5 7 4 4 6 7 7 7 Catholic = 9) 12; French Public French= ; TCDSB=171 ; 473 (TDSB= Schools Elementary Public 665 15 4 5 2 4 5 4 4 8 0 (1 Nearby) s Librarie 100 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 (1 Nearby) Centres Community 171 0 1 3 3 3 5 4 1 Programs School After 801 11 14 3 9 2 8 9 9 3 NO NO NO NO YES NO YES NO Status Area (NIA) Improvement Neighbourhood NO Inequity Very Low High Inequity Low Inequity Inequity Very High Inequity Very High Low Inequity Inequity Very High High Inequity the Village) Score (Raising Family Inequity Child and Low Inequity KidScore Average 35 37 36 60 53 41 52 46 45 45 Average Traffic & Mobility Subscore 32 24 51 58 52 37 38 41 42 42 Spaces & Subscore Average Senses 29 27 64 42 25 36 26 30 20 9 Average Uses & Subscore Activities 20 51 33 66 58 50 68 63 54 66 Average Green Environment Subscore Space & 40 39 29 56 48 56 70 58 49 38 Average Safety & Well-Being Subscore 50 50 49 57 63 38 64 49 52 56

112 Kidscore Pilot Program Report 113 maximumcity.ca [email protected]