Dogs off-leash in Vermont Square Park

(Midtown)

The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council approve the implementation of a dogs off-leash area in Vermont Square Park between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., weekdays and weekends, as a six month pilot project.

The Toronto Community Council submits the report (May 26, 1998) from the Regional Director, Central, Parks and Recreational Department:

Purpose:

To request Community Council consideration of a dogs off-leash area in Vermont Square Park between particular hours on weekdays and weekends as a six month pilot project.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement

Not applicable

Recommendation:

That Toronto Community Council give consideration to the implementation of a dogs off-leash area in Vermont Square Park between the hours of 6:00am to 9:00am and 7:30pm to 11:00pm, weekdays and weekends as a six month pilot project.

Background:

The Seaton Village Residents Association held a public meeting to discuss the use of Vermont Square by dog owners and their dogs on May 20, 1998. At that meeting concerns were raised regarding dogs running free in the park contrary to the Uniform Parks Bylaw. While dog owners want a place to run their dogs, other park users have concerns relating to health issues, comfort and safety of other users and wear and tear on the park. Residents agreed that a reasonable compromise may be to allow dogs off-leash during specific times only and the bylaw be amended accordingly. It is suggested that the pilot project be reviewed after six months to determine its effectiveness and any concerns.

Comments:

For your information, according to a directive from the City Clerk dated March 27, 1998, as a result of a request from York Community Council, the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services has been directed to report to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on a City-wide uniform policy regarding leashed and unleashed dogs in City Parks. This report is currently in preparation in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

Conclusions:

That the establishment of a dogs off-leash area between specific times be considered as a six month pilot project for Vermont Square Park.

Contact Name:

Jill Cherry

392- 0360

The Toronto Community Council also submits the following communication (May 22, 1998) from Gary Lichtblau, Chair, Seaton Village Residents Association, addressed to Councillor Adams:

On the 20th of May the SVRA held a public meeting at Palmerston Public School to discuss the use of Vermont Square Park in general and its use by dog owners and their dogs in particular. The meeting was well attended; about fifty concerned residents, representing diverse points of view, came to express their thoughts on the matter. Also in attendance were Bernard Morton, your executive assistant, Mary Wilson, principal at Palmerston Public school, and representatives from the City's Animal Control Division and Parks & Recreation Department.

The meeting was called in response to on-going concern among residents about dogs running free in Vermont Square Park. Currently the municipal by-law requires that all dogs in public places be leashed. Dogs in Vermont Square Park are rarely on-leash.

It is clear that dog owners want a place to run their dogs, in contravention of the existing by-law. Other users however have concerns about dogs in the park. Discussion focused on the following issues: 1) wear and tear on the park, 2) the health hazard arising from the concentration of dogs, 3) the comfort and safety of all users and of children in particular.

Dog owners recognized the problems and were ready to listen to the concerns of others. They were ready to accept responsibility for complying and self-regulating compliance with any arrangement that would better meet their needs. The participants at the meeting acknowledged the contribution to community safety provided by the presence of dog owners in the park year-round. People recognized for the most part the responsible nature of dog owners, as well as their awareness of the impact dogs have on the park.

Various options were discussed. The people in attendance, in spite of the many different opinions expressed, came to a consensus on a proposal that could satisfy all users of the park.

The proposal involves a time-sharing arrangement that would allow dogs to run off-leash in the park at prearranged times as outlined below. At all other times dogs would remain on-leash as required by the existing by-law. It is hoped that by this arrangement dog owners would be prepared to regulate their use of the park.

Off-leash hours for the proposal would be:

Weekdays and weekends

Mornings 6:00 am to 9:00 am

Evenings 7.30 pm to 11:00 pm

At all other times dogs must remain on-leash

We would like to institute this proposal as a pilot project for a period of 6 months. Hours would be adjusted to address seasonal variations in use. Its success would be reviewed by the community.

The SVRA would also undertake to form a park users group whose mandate would be to address all local users concerns about use and maintenance of the park. The group would seek to provide a forum to maintain consensus about park use and establish an organized body of volunteers who would accept some responsibility for the care and maintenance of the park to augment services provided by the city, in cooperation with city departments dealing with park maintenance.

The pilot project would be the subject of other community meetings in the future in order to give all residents an opportunity to voice their views on park use. Further details will be provided as they become available.

In order for the above described proposal to be put into place, we understand that it would require support from the City and an exemption from the municipal by-law. We also understand that the proposal could be introduced onto the Community Council's agenda for their next meeting on the 27th of May, 1998 in order to expedite its establishment in the park for the summer/fall season. We would appreciate your support for the establishment of this six month pilot project into Vermont Square Park.