Parks' Policy
City Council will soon be undertaking city wide consultations after deferring a proposed strategy for off leash dogs in parks that failed to inspire the confidence of the public.
Play At The Park has become very informed about the issues and concerns of a broad range of park users and knowledgeable about new thinking about public policy as it affects dogs in parks. We are happy to share this knowledge with you via this web-site.
Sound public policy must consider all people who use city parkland. Other cities have grappled with this issue and are updating their Dogs in Parks policies to twenty-first century standards. dogs in parks. We should expect nothing less from the City of Toronto.
We have the support of many residents and major organizations.
We want you to become involved and ensure your voice is heard
The Issues
As Toronto intensifies, parks and playgrounds will be the only backyard for many. Public space must be managed so that it is safe and accessible for all, particularly children, youth, and seniors. Some dog owners want additional leash free areas designated while other park users have expressed concerns that off leash dogs pose a risk to public health and safety and the enjoyment of individual, or family-based, recreational pursuits.
Play At The Park supports the creation of more off-leash areas and has researched safe and cost effective options. There are, however, health and safety issues associated with off leash dogs that need to be acknowledged and addressed.
Dog-related use of our parks must be sensitively balanced with other park uses in order to benefit all citizens.
Areas where dogs can play off leash need a clear separation so that seniors, children, joggers, on-leash dog owners, and others can enjoy public spaces without the anxiety of having to negotiate an off leash dogs.
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 set the standards for an off-leash area. These choices need to be facilitated within the boundaries of city wide criteria and standards that cover at a minimum:
- Exclusions from areas that are in proximity to playgrounds, sports fields wading pools, park walkways or areas adjacent to schools unless such areas are fenced.
- Minimum size requirements.
- Maintenance standards and requirements that protect public health and park ecology
- Enforcement that can be adequately funded.
What do you think about these issues? Let Us Know
It is the responsibility of Toronto City Council and Board of Health to ensure that any new Dogs in Park strategy presents a responsible approach to ensure that city parks will continue to provide safe and healthy recreational opportunities for all Toronto citizens and maintain the ecological health and natural beauty of the parks.
Toronto's Current Uniform Policy for Leashed and Unleashed Dogs in Parks
This policy was co-written in 1998 by Dr. Sheela Basrur, Medical Officer of Health and Joe Halstead, Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism. It stated that problems of unleashed dogs in the city were on the rise in part because of the increase in the number of dogs, their natural behaviors and a minority of irresponsible dog owners.
This policy, which is still in force:
- Outlines guidelines and standards for off leash areas
- Stipulates where dogs should not be permitted to be at large.
- Limits the number of dogs permitted with one walker to three.
- Recommended higher levels of enforcement.
- Called for a review of the existing off leash areas.
- Asked city staff to investigate locating unused city property for new dog parks.
Unfortunately this policy has never been fully implemented. The present rules governing both on and of leash dogs are being ignored and remain not enforced by the City Of Toronto.
Proposing new off-leash areas before addressing the failure of existing on and off leash areas is, in our view, unacceptable.
Read the full Toronto 1998 Policy
Toronto's 2006 Dogs In Parks Proposal
In April 2006 Brenda Librecz, General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation presented a new Dogs in Parks Strategy to the Economic Development and Parks Committee. Play At The Park had a number of concerns about this document.
It lacked a historical context. There was no reference to the recommendations of the current policy, and no evaluation of the state of off-leash parks in the city.
It made no attempt to address the many documented issues in the the report by Dr. Basrur and Mr. Halstead,
Its primary focus was to address the concerns of professional dog walkers and failed to address other park users. It was developed in consultation with professional dog walkers and other dog owner organizations. There was no consultation with parents, recreation groups or groups representing children or seniors.
It left all city parks regardless of size or use open to the possibility of off leash dogs. Despite the issues associated with multiple dog walkers it increased the number of dogs licensed dog walkers can have off leash at one time to six.
Play At The Park met with Councillor Rae, a member of the Parks Committee, and Councillor Ford to discuss our concerns. We helped organize several groups to prepare deputations to the Committee.
Many people including a number of children attended the meeting. A number of committee members expressed concerns about the strategy and the inadequate consultations.
The Committee agreed to send the policy back to staff for further study and better consultation with a range of parks users and interest groups. They specifically specified that groups representing children and seniors should be consulted.
Read the Toronto Star Editorial Comment
Recent Play At The Park Efforts
Over the past 12 months Play At The Park members have:
- Researched dogs and parks policies across North America, speaking with a number of park planners to identify best practices.
- Met with dog owner groups and professional dog walkers.
- Met with Brendan Agnew-Iler, Policy Assistant to Mayor Miller
- Met with Carol Cormier, Manager, Parks Standards and Innovation, Parks Forestry and Recreation
- Met with Sandy Straw, Manager of TEY and Parks By-Law Enforcement Unit.
- Met with the Toronto Humane Society
- Met and spoke with many park users and groups active in city parks
- Met and spoke with organizations representing the interests of residents, seniors, children and youth