The City is planning a new fenced off-leash area for dogs at Glendora Park and will gather community feedback while piloting one proposed location for three months. The temporary off-leash area is installed in the east corner of the park, near the tennis court and toboggan hill. Community feedback from the pilot, along with the other location options within the park, will help determine the preferred final location. This work is being carried out under City Council direction through MM29.26.
The timeline is subject to change.
Take an online survey to give feedback on two new fenced dog off-leash areas proposed in Willowdale – one at Glendora Park and one at either 35 Churchill Ave. or 290 Doris Ave. Feedback can be given for one or both of the proposed off-leash areas.
The survey is open until October 31, 2025 and is available in English, فارسی (Farsi), 한국어 (Korean) and 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese).
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This project has been classified as a Consult project based on the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum. This means the City will seek feedback from community members and stakeholders at key stages of the project. Public input will help inform the location for the off-leash area.
On August 6, the project team hosted a pop-up event during the Avondale Park summer festival. Three staff members were on site to share information and collect feedback on proposed dog park locations within Glendora Park.
Option 3 stood out for its larger size and varied terrain, while Option 2 was noted for its location and separation from other park amenities. However, many participants felt that the space in Option 2 was too limited to function effectively as an off-leash area. Across both options, there was strong support for including a designated small dog area and ensuring the off-leash area fits well with existing park uses. Concerns about proximity to homes and parking were raised for both Options 2 and 3. A few individuals expressed opposition to an off-leash area anywhere in the park, regardless of location.
Overall preference with Option 1:
Overall preference with Option 2:
Overall preference with Option 3:
Following the pop-up, a new Option 4 was developed, which is included in the online survey. This model proposes:
In winter, the expanded area returns to its original use as a tobogganing hill. This flexible approach aims to balance recreational needs year-round while responding to community feedback.
Participants were also asked to identify their most desired features for the off-leash area from a provided list. Seating and a shade structure emerged as the top priorities, with many emphasizing the importance of comfort and protection from the elements for both dogs and their owners. There was also consistent support for garbage bins and poop bag dispensers to help maintain cleanliness and encourage responsible use of the space.
Located on the east side of the splash pad, this site is approximately 500 square metres in size and is all-season.
Located northeast of the tobogganing hill, this site is farther from main park features and closer to Glendora Avenue. It is approximately 1,300 square metres in size. This location is all-season.
Located directly on the toboggan hill, the area stretches from the tennis courts to the eastern boundary of the park. The area outlined in the dashed line would be seasonal (approximately 5,900 square metres) and operate as an off-leash area from May to November and as a toboggan hill from December to March.
A temporary off-leash area will be piloted at this location in summer 2025.
The area outlined in red would be permanent (approximately 1,300 square metres). The remaining area, approximately 4,600 square metres and outlined in a dashed line, would operate as an off-leash area from May to November and as a toboggan hill from December to March.