Mayoral Questions Press Release
We’ve partnered with the High Park Dogs On-Leash Committee to ask candidates in the 2023 Toronto Mayoral By-Election what they would do to bring balance to our shared spaces and make our city more livable. Read our press release.

Toronto Dog Park Improvement Survey Report
We conducted this survey because concerns regarding pea gravel were not being heard. With over a thousand responses, we now have a clear understanding of many key issues, including pea gravel. We shared the data with the Parks Department. 

Synthetic Turf in Cold Climates
We provided these pictures to Councillor Fletcher to help her secure budget to resurface Greenwood with accessible turf for dogs. There were doubts in the Parks Department that this material could withstand cold climates. 

Sir Winston Churchill Dog Park Designs
We presented this document at City Hall. It contains five designs for the new dog park at Sir Winston Churchill Park. The objective was to inspire them to think differently. In the end, we were able to add one tree, an accessible walkway, rocks for climbing, and cancel pea gravel.      

Trees in Dog Parks
We’d like to see more trees in Toronto dog parks. Unfortunately, the Parks Department is now requiring trees in new dog parks to be fenced off with a 3-metre buffer, which is limiting, atypical and not required by City Council-approved policy. We’d like to see this rule revisited.  

Paws & Parks Pamphlet
We made this pamphlet for the 2018 Spring Bird Festival at Colonel Samuel Smith Park. Along with helpful ways to reduce your environmental “paw print”, it contains an infographic with the results of our survey.      

Dog Park Design
Images and insights for inspiration. This is an excerpt from a presentation we made to representatives from Parks Department on May 16, 2018. These approaches align with recommendations made by the City’s consultants, years later.

Municipal Off-Leash Strategies

We’ve been advocating for better off-leash strategies since the beginning. This is an excerpt from a prestation we made to representatives from Parks Department on May 16, 2018.

Our first Meeting with the Parks Department
This presentation makes the case for improved planning and attempted to open minds to design approaches beyond pea gravel. It’s still relevant today.

Off-Leash Area Master Plans and Strategies from other Municipalities

Vancouver
Strategy | Appendix | Implementation | Site

Surrey
Dog Off-Leash Master Plan 2012

Edmonton
Dogs In Open Spaces Implementation Plan

Calgary
Off Leash Areas Management Plan

Winnipeg
https://winnipeg.ca/ppd/PublicEngagement/OffLeashAreas/documents/Off-Leash-Dog-Areas-Master-Plan.pdf

Seattle
People, Dogs and Parks Plan – August2017

Denver
Dog Park Master Plan Update

South Australia
Unleashed Dog Parks-B

Toronto
2010 People, Dogs and Parks Policy
Facilities Master Plan
Implementation Strategy
City of Toronto Parks Standards: Off-Leash Areas