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Park Policies

posted April 18, 2006 From: Play At The Park Group, Email: playatthepark@gmail.com

Premika Ratnam writes from Jean Sibelius Park

PLAY AT THE PARK-PRESS RELEASE APRIL 10, 2006

Children should be able to play sports and other activities on grass at small parks such as Jean Sibelius Park – and not just within the small, fenced-in area for young children. Small parks (less than 0.5 hectares) should serve a more diverse group than very young children and dog owners.

There is growing concern that the new Dogs in Parks Strategy, developed by the city, will increase the competition between children and off-leash dogs for space. This can affect how children and youth will have access to parks for active play in the future. The policy process has been closed. Viewing or responding to the drafts being prepared by senior staff of the city before it goes to the Economic and Development Committee has not been permitted. The public may be seriously compromised by not having timely input into a policy that affects the way park space is shared by diverse users.

PLAY AT THE PARK recommends:

• small parks with playgrounds should be for active play for children. They should only have dogs on leash and be off the grass where children play;
• the guidelines that exempt parks from allowing off-leash dogs, created by Dr. Basrur, Medical Officer of Health in 1998, should NOT be changed by the new policy;
• the process of community consultation should be open and on the web;
• the public should have a chance for adequate input into the draft before it becomes legislation. The guidelines are there to protect the greater public good;
• the city should create a variety of spaces for dogs such as dog parks, special enclosures for timid and small dogs, enclosed dog runs in larger parks. These should EXCLUDE small parks where children play. The city should protect grass and natural lands in larger parks by creating proper enclosures for off-leash dogs.
• enforcement mechanisms and public education should be increased.

Larger cities have dealt with the pressures of limited space with proper enclosures, and have increased public education and enforcement. Write to your local politicians and forward us a copy.

BACKGROUND — JEAN SIBELIUS PARK’S OFF-LEASH POLICY

Jean Sibelius Park is unsuitable for off-leash dogs. We are in direct contradiction of the city guidelines established by the Medical Officer of Health.

The following parks are to be exempted from off-leash dog use:

• parks that have passive and active uses such as playgrounds, wading pools, permitted sports-field activities, paths used for cycling, rollerblading and pedestrian links;
• parks that have natural and artificial rinks;
• parks that have pedestrian pathways that are used on a regular basis;
• parks under 0.5 hectares in size.

The applicants for the exemption did not meet most of the conditions that were placed on them when applying for an exemption (granted in November 1998).

Most important was the condition that dog owners using the park must form a group of a minimum of 15 people who agree to do the following:

• provide "Dog Watch" eyes and ears on the park to identify and help educate irresponsible pet owners;
• organize park clean ups at a minimum of four times per year;
• repair areas damaged from dogs/digging;
• consult with Public Health – Animal Services for municipal code enforcement when required.

When the exemption was passed, it was considered a pilot project to be evaluated after six months. The Annex Residents Association was the "dog watch" group.

The pilot project has clearly failed. It directly contradicts the city guidelines:

• children are not able to play in most of the park without interference from dogs;
• much of the park, especially the sports area, is now contaminated with dog urine and feces;
• the "dog watch" was never implemented;
• the six month review never happened;
• the grassy areas of the park have been ground into mud;
• children have been attacked or intimidated by dogs, their balls snatched away, and their play disrupted by the presence of off-leash dogs.

Dogs off leash should be moved to alternate spaces in the neighbourhood and other spaces immediately.

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