Dogs And Parks

We recognize that dogs can be important family members and value the need to provide a space for recreation for them as well.

Dogs can be in most city parks while on leash but there is also a need for off-leash locations to allow the dogs to run, play, and socialize with other dogs.

However not every park, should be considered for off-leash development.

Dr. Sheela Basrur and Mr. Halstead in their 1998 report to Toronto City Council stated that:

"Off-leash activity frequently expands beyond the designated areas and park boundaries into on-leash park areas, neighbourhood streets and private properties."

They recommended to City Council that That the Commissioner of Corporate Services report on the feasibility of using vacant City lands for the development of "dog parks".

New areas for dog runs need to be pursued. These sites need to chosen with reference to city wide criteria that will minimize conflict.

Other Municipalities have found underutilized areas for new dog parks. There are a number of new models for off leash dog parks in other cities. Toronto's twin city, Chicago has a number of dog friendly areas. Markham and Mississauga have developed innovative self sustaining finding models that are very successful.

Share your experience with dogs in your park

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Goals for Off-Leash Dog Areas

Play At The Park seeks to:

• Encourage the construction of enclosed dog-off-leash areas, in appropriate locations, that meet the best North American standards for the safety of dogs and their owners.
• Ensure that off-leash areas do not encroach on other park uses in our increasingly dense city.
• Protect and develop play areas for children and youth, areas for the elderly and for quiet activities, and naturalized areas.
• Promote the 1998 policy now in force as a strong policy foundation, and ensure that new policy shows leadership in avoiding friction between dogs and people.
• Ensure enforcement of off-leash guidelines, including penalties for non-compliance (e.g. similar to parking enforcement).
• Encourage self-funding models for off-leash construction, maintenance, and off-leash enforcement, through dog-tags, off-leash tags, etc.
• Support dog parks and dog free parks in addition to enclosures for dogs in existing parks.

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Dogs and Health

By creating separate spaces for off leash areas for dogs, the parks are automatically freed up for people to enjoy. Also, this limits the amount of dog waste on the grass.

On-leash dogs should be encouraged to defecate on the sidewalk rather than on the grass, so that the grass remains clean for people to use. And of course, dog owners must be encouraged to clean up after their dogs, and violators should be fined.

Some owners believe that dog poop, being organic, automatically disintegrates into the ground. However, there is always a residue that gets left behind. When people play ball or come into contact with it and they put their fingers in their mouth, it is like having feces for a snack.

It is important that areas both on and off the grass where children play are free from dog waste.

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The Need for Leash Laws

Dogs should be on leashes in public areas for the protection of fellow residents, as well as the dogs themselves. The City of New York Website explains the reasons for their well enforced by-laws governing off leash dogs and they also provide well maintained fenced enclosures in some Manhattan Parks

From New York's Website:

Leash Laws in Parks & Recreation enforces the health code laws for the following reasons:

• Unleashed dogs pose potential danger to people and to other dogs.
• Many park users, horses, park wildlife and leashed dogs have been attacked and bitten by unleashed dogs.
• Many park visitors are frightened by dogs and may find unleashed dogs to be intimidating or annoying.
• Unleashed dogs are more likely to leave behind waste that is not picked up by their owners; canine waste is a known source of several pernicious zoonotic diseases
• Unleashed dogs destroy lawns and flower beds: areas used as informal "dog runs" have been severely damaged by the combination of wear and uric acid, a known killer of plant life.

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Legal Implications

There are legal implications for dog owners and the city allowing dogs to run off leash.

There is certain liability potential to the cities under the Occupiers Liability Act. In order to reduce this potential, strict guidelines for off leash site selection are required relative to:

• Minimum size requirements.
• Exclusions from areas that are in proximity to playgrounds, sports fields wading pools or areas adjacent to schools or high traffic streets unless such areas are fenced.
• Maintenance requirements
• The provision of regulatory signage and enforcement.

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Standards for Dog Runs

While neighbourhood involvement is important in deciding whether they would like to have a dog run or an off-leash area or not, it cannot be left to each neighbourhood to set the standards for an off-leash area. This is responsibility of the City Council and the Board of Health.

New York City and Chicago are two cosmopolitan cities that have set standards that are respectful of other park users.

Independent criteria should be set to determine if the off-leash area has been successful. This would minimize neighborhood conflicts and give the managers of the off-leash areas clear directions on how to make their dog park successful.

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