October 19, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject: Proposed Dogs Off-Leash Area - Ramsden Park

Midtown

Purpose:

To grant authority for the creation of a dogs off-leash area in protions of Ramsden Park.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) approval be given for the creation of a dogs off-leash area in Ramsden Park, as outlined on the map Attachment No. 1;

(2) the hours dogs may roam unleashed in the areas identified be:

October 1 to April 1: 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

April 2 to September 30: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

(3) staff from the Parks and Recreation Division call a public meeting in the fall of 2000 to review the success of the dogs off-leash area in Ramsden Park; and

(4) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

Ramsden Park was identified as being a potential dogs off-leash location after the community formed the Ramsden Park Dog Committee, consisting of twenty members. Ramsden Park was also identified as being a potential dogs off-leash location by City Council at its meeting on July 6, 7, 8, 1999.

As a result of the interest and direction from the community and City Council, a public meeting took place on September 24, 1999, with staff from the Animal Control, Parks and Recreation, Councillors Ila Bossons and John Adams. Approximately thirty people attended the meeting.

In accordance with the "Dogs Off-Leash Guideline" which was approved by City Council on July 29, 30, 32, 1998 (Attachment No. 2), a careful review of Ramsden Park took place with public input.

It was acknowledged that Ramsden Park does not meet all of the criteria to warrant the creation of a dogs off-leash area in the entire park. Therefore, only a portion of the park is being recommended which extends from Avenue road over to the eastern limits of the tennis court building (including behind the building) and the vicinity south of the tennis courts and washroom building (map Attachment No. 1). Using snow fence material, and pending underground utlity clearance, Parks staff will fence the area south of the tennis courts and washroom building. This is to discourage dogs from entering farther east and potentially into the playground area. The fencing is temporary pending a review of the success of the dogs off-leash area. If the area is deemed to be sucessful, the Ramsden Park Dog Committee offered to provide community fundraising initiative to purchase plants and provide the labour to plant the material. It is expected that the plantings will provide an attractive barrier instead of the snowfencing.

Reaching a compromise with everyone who use our parks and facilities is always a challenge. Most of the people present at the meeting on September 24, 1999 seemed committed to having a successful dogs off-leash area in Ramsden Park. The recommended hours that dogs may roam unleashed in the areas identified on Attachment No. 1 include:

October 1 to April 1: 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

April 2 to September 30: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Conclusions:

That approval be given for the creation of a dogs off-leash area, in portion of Ramsden Park.

Contact:

Mario Zanetti

Director, South District Parks and Recreation

Phone: 392-1905

Fax: 392- 0845

Email: mzanetti@city.to.on.ca

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

List of Attachments:

Attachment No. 1 - Map of Ramsden Park

Attachment No. 2 - Dogs Off-Leash Guidelines