I live in an apartment building without a backyard, so Gamble Playground has become an important part of our daily lives. I bring my toddler here almost every day because it's one of the few places where my child can enjoy the outdoors freely.

The fenced playground, its green space, trees and large sandbox offer so much more than a place to play. My toddler gets to walk on the grass, dig in the dirt and sand, collect leaves, explore different textures and discover the world around them. These simple experiences are incredibly important for a young child's development, especially when you don't have a backyard or private outdoor space.

Unfortunately, there's an ongoing problem that has made our visits increasingly difficult. I keep finding dog feces inside the fenced playground, almost every day. My toddler has stepped in it on multiple occasions. It's frustrating and concerning to constantly have to watch the ground, check where my child is playing and worry about what they might touch or pick up.

Toddlers explore the world with their hands. They crawl, dig, pick things up and often put their hands in their mouths. Dog feces in a children's play area is not just unpleasant; it creates a genuine hygiene and health concern.

I have nothing against dogs or responsible dog owners. I understand that dogs need outdoor spaces too. But a fenced children's playground should not be used as an unofficial off-leash dog park. There are designated areas for dogs, and children's play spaces should remain safe and clean for the children they were designed for.

I don't want to have to stop my toddler from exploring the grass, playing in the sand or enjoying the outdoors because I'm constantly worried about dog waste. I want to be able to bring my child to Gamble Playground and let them play freely, as every child should be able to.

I'm starting this petition because I know other families in our neighbourhood are experiencing the same problem. There are already clear signs on the playground fence stating that dogs are not allowed inside the playground, yet this continues to happen almost daily.

I'm asking the City of Toronto and Councillor Sara Ehrhardt to address this ongoing disregard for the rules through increased monitoring and enforcement, particularly during the early morning and evening hours when the playground is frequently used as an off-leash dog area. I'd also like to see more consistent cleaning to ensure dog waste is removed promptly.

The existing rules are there to protect children's play spaces. It's time they were properly enforced.