Please donate directly to our petition—your support boosts our visibility and helps us gain more coverage to make a bigger impact.

UPDATE: We got some news coverage!! 

1. https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7305310

2. https://globalnews.ca/video/10716449/uproar-over-incoming-toronto-dog-park-ban/amp/

3. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/962-the-jim-richards-show-59146123/

Follow the link above and start listening at 10:30 

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our strong opposition to the recent decision to ban commercial dog walkers from using Ramsden Park’s  dog park. We believe this ban is unjust, unfounded, and negatively impacts our community and local businesses. 

 

**Reasons for Opposing the Ban:**

 

1. **Unfair Motivation:**

   The ban appears to be driven by complaints from a local resident who is building an addition to his home and does not want to hear dogs barking. This decision disproportionately affects commercial dog walkers and their clients, who are also taxpayers and deserve fair access to public spaces.

 

2. **False Claims of Overuse:**

   The city has cited claims that dog walkers occupy excessive parking spaces and create overcrowded conditions. These claims are not supported by evidence. In reality, only a few dog walkers use the park at a time, and ample parking is available on surrounding streets. Additionally, dog walkers generally use the park during off-peak hours (11 AM to 3 PM), further reducing any potential congestion.

 

3. **Lack of Alternatives:**

   The city has not provided any viable alternatives or solutions for the small dog community. Ramsden Park is the only facility in midtown offering a designated small dog area, and the loss of this park would force small dogs into mixed-size parks where they could face safety risks.

 

4. **Impact on Small Businesses:**

   The ban directly threatens the livelihoods of local commercial dog walkers who rely on Ramsden Park to provide quality service to their clients. Removing access to this park will limit their ability to serve their clients effectively, impacting their businesses and the well-being of the dogs in their care.

 

5. **Need for New Parks:**

   With ongoing discussions about the need for more dog parks in the city, it is counterproductive to implement bans on existing ones before new facilities are built. The current situation exacerbates the shortage of suitable dog parks, especially for small dogs.

 

**Our Proposal:**

 

To address the concerns about noise and park usage, we propose implementing a designated time limit for commercial dog walkers at Ramsden Park. Specifically, we suggest allowing commercial dog walkers access to the park between 11 AM and 3 PM. This time frame aligns with current usage patterns and minimizes potential disturbances to nearby residents during peak hours. We believe this compromise will address noise concerns while ensuring continued access for the many local dogs and dog walkers who rely on this essential facility.

 

**Our Request:**

 

We respectfully request that the City of Toronto reverse the ban on commercial dog walkers at Ramsden Park and consider our proposed time limit as a practical solution that balances the needs of all stakeholders. We urge the city to work collaboratively with dog walkers, residents, and other community members to reach a fair and equitable resolution.

 

Thank you for considering our petition. We look forward to a positive resolution that supports all members of our community.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rebecca Riddell

Bark Buddies Inc.

barkbuddiesto@gmail.com