Seasonal off-leash dog areas on off-season sports fields

Not a bad idea, if the residents commit to cleaning up the refuse. I have seen many parks littered with dog feces (not the one in Beeton but I am not a user of that facility). When the field reverts to sports use, I don't think users want to run through that stuff.

I agree — using off-season sports fields as off-leash dog areas makes sense. Dog parks in the middle of town create a lot of noise for nearby residents, so putting them on fields away from homes is the better approach.

I understand why this idea is appealing, particularly as our community grows and more residents live in homes with smaller yards or in apartments. However, I don't support opening our sports fields for seasonal off-leash use.

Our sports fields are significant public assets, and there are practical concerns around damage to the turf, parking, liability and maintenance. There is also the issue of pet waste. Unfortunately, we already have challenges with people not picking up after their dogs, and these are fields that children and adults return to for sports once the season begins.

I do think we need to plan for more off-leash spaces as New Tecumseth grows, but location matters. Dog parks can be controversial, particularly for the residents whose properties back/face directly onto them because of noise, parking and increased activity.

Rather than trying to fit dog parks into established residential neighbourhoods or repurpose sports fields, I would like to see appropriate locations identified through the planning process as new areas develop. Commercial or mixed-use areas, or other Town owned lands with appropriate buffers from homes, parking and safe access, may offer better opportunities.

If we're planning communities for thousands of new residents, amenities for their pets should be part of that planning too.

The Town can and should consider dual use of our sports facilities and green areas. My approach has always been an attentive and collaborative one. Considerations like this are exactly why I seek residents’ input on every file.

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.

I'd have to think this one through with staff. Right now, for example, my wife and I walk our dogs at Geoff Gaston every once and awhile. We use long leashes. While at the park we see people golfing, personal training and practising soccer, as well as walking dogs. If this park became a off season off leash I think it would still impact some others users. Something to think about though. Currently looking forward to the off leash park in Tree Tops to open up.

I’m not opposed to it, however most parks are not completely fenced and the Town uses the off season time to conduct maintenance. I do feel that each ward should have a designated dog park which ward 2 does not currently have.

This seems like a practical idea. My family is not blessed with a dog so I don't have any experience with the off leash parks. One observation is that not all people are responsible and clean up thier business. The results are evident way too often, especially in the spring.

More objective information about this would help me form an opinion.