Make our park(s) off-leash and dog-friendly! There are three main parks on Crowley Drive in Joyce Collingwood area (Gaston, Melbourne, Aberdeen- with a fourth park, Foster, closeby), and not one of them is allowed off-leash playtime for dogs. 

Of course, it would be improper and inhumane dog care to not allow dogs off-leash play-time, especially since long lines/leads increase the risk of injury. Prohibiting dog socialization, play, running, fetching, training, etc off-leash can be detrimental to a dog's physical, mental, behavioral and developmental needs. 

With the changes and growing needs in pandemic came a rise of dog-friendly apartments, and therefore, dogs in our neighborhood. Joyce Collingwood is known for its dog-friendly community. See facebook group link: Dogs of Joyce Collingwood.

This puts many local dog owners in a bind, forced to choose between healthy dog-raising, or obeying the law. While everyone with a dog- especially a young, playful, high-energy dog, in the area has to make this choice, this bind is especially challenging for those who cannot commute to the closest off-leash dog area. Like any bind, there is a range of responses, such as:

1) Inhibiting dog(s) from off-leash play, at the cost of the dog lacking proper excercise, stimulation, training and essential behaviour(s) taught by dogs and others.

 OR 

2) Allowing dog(s) their off-leash playtime, at the monetary cost of by-law fees. 

Beneath this bind rests a common value for community, life and flourishing. While this petition does not undermine the concern for public safety, it does place higher responsibility and accountability on owners to train accordingly and use discretion when letting their dogs off-leash. Rather than having to choose one side or the other, this petition stands to promote health, safety and flourishing for all members in our community, both with and without a tail.