Seasonal off-leash dog areas on off-season sports fields
Asked by Anonymous · a month ago
Seasonal off-leash dog areas
Some municipalities, including Toronto, use seasonal off-leash designations to make better use of park spaces when they aren’t being used for their primary purpose.
Could the Town consider a similar approach here by designating certain sports fields or other suitable public spaces as off-leash dog areas during their off-season? This could provide residents with more legal opportunities to exercise their dogs off leash without requiring the Town to create entirely new dedicated spaces.
Laurie Mortimer's answer
Yes, I think this is an idea worth exploring.
As our neighbourhoods grow and lots become smaller, residents need appropriate places to exercise their dogs. Rather than assuming the only solution is purchasing land and building new dedicated dog parks, I would support having Town staff identify existing public spaces that could safely serve more than one purpose at different times of the year.
That could include seasonal or temporary off-leash areas where the location is suitable, provided we consider things like fencing, nearby homes and playgrounds, field conditions, cleanup, liability and the needs of sports organizations that use the space.
I like solutions that make better use of facilities and land we already own. A pilot project at one or two appropriate locations could be a sensible way to determine whether this would work in New Tecumseth before considering anything permanent.
