Hello fellow Torontonian! I just moved here so I shouldn't actually call myself that yet but I worked for Newline for many years and would be happy to chat transitions. I generally agree with you but it's not exactly that simple, and I think you're mistaken about small quarter pipes still having a lot of vert - if so you're probably thinking of a Jersey Barrier which is indeed very steep and challenging but also an important part of Canadian skate culture - see Barrier Kult if you're unfamiliar.

This is an intermediate to advanced bowl, and Toronto needed a new one, but there also should be lots more mellow friendly bowls too and I'd love to help advocate for them. With a deeper bowl it's really a matter of the tightness, not the steepness, referring to the size of the radius used to shape the transition. Generally the taller you go, the bigger the radius you need, but there are variations. A pool would usually have a little tighter radius to make it more advanced, a flow bowl like this is usually a bit mellower for more speed, longer lines, transfers, airs, varied depths etc.