The City of Toronto is cracking down on owners who don’t keep their dogs on leashes - with fines of $240.

At the same time, the City website says that responsible dog ownership means providing socialization and taking dogs to off-leash parks. “Dogs thrive on companionship,” says the City. “Don’t make your dog a ‘backyard dog.’”

The problem is that there are not enough off-leash areas at Yonge and Sheppard in Willowdale. Dog parks have not kept up with development. 

The closest off-leash area is 2.5 kilometres away at Yonge and York Mills. That is a 60 minute round-trip walk or busy drive down Yonge Street and under the 401, through some of the most congested and high-speed traffic in the city. It is unrealistic to expect dog owners to make this trip every day.

Dogs and dog owners are part of the community. Living in a community means sharing outdoor spaces. There seem to be more dogs than children in the Yonge and Sheppard area - in keeping with the demographic of condo and townhouse residents. Yet the parks cater to children and dogs are prohibited.

The existing bylaws are unrealistic and exclusionary. 

Why not designate Glendora Park, by the tennis courts, a dog park? It is rarely used by anyone but dog owners. It is nestled in a little valley and separated from the rest of the park by a sidewalk.

Also, Avondale and Avonshire Parks are in the hub of the condo and townhouse developments. Each park has an area that is separated from children’s playgrounds by a sidewalk or valley.

All these areas are already being used by dog owners. To enclose them for dog parks - with a dedicated area or dedicated hours for small dogs - would promote public safety and responsible dog ownership and also create a sense of community.

The City could set up trial parks in these areas by renting temporary Modu-Loc fencing and then doing a public consultation to see what people think.

Creating off-leash parks does not have to be expensive. A four foot high chain link fence encased in concrete costs about $20 a linear foot. The perimeter for Avonshire could be 100 feet - that’s $2,000. The perimeter for Avondale could be 200 feet or $4,000. An off-leash area at Glendora Park by the tennis courts could be 1,000 linear feet (only three sides would need fencing because the highway side already has a fence). The cost of enclosing that area could be $20,000.

The City recently finished months of construction of a children’s water park at Glendora Park, complete with cafe tables and parasols. What was the cost? Did it improve public safety? Did it meet the needs of the community?

Please sign this petition to begin the process of creating off-leash dog parks at Glendora, Avondale and Avonshire Parks.

If you don’t agree with asking for all three parks, just say so by your signature!

Please also write to our city councillor John Fillion councillor_filion@toronto.ca with an email that says something like: “I support the creation of off-leash dog areas at Glendora Park, Avondale and Avonshire Parks.”