For those of you unsure of what is required by the city to get a 'dog park', the first and probably most important step is to form an association. A quasi-legal group of like-minded individuals who will petition the city. To be an association there must be at least 10 members, a set of bylaws, meetings and some appointed officers. That being said, to confirm membership I must have the real names and addresses of interested parties. It is not enough to agree. Like a petition, it has no teeth without a face (or name).
That being said, I prefer to not announce my personal information on the internet, and understand if you feel the same; so email me and I will discuss it personally with you. I will happily share my details with other members of the association. Frida is only my spokes dog and a way to connect to others in the area who feel as I do, that we need a place for our canine companions to run Leash Free.
Get involved, and sign up today so we can try and get this park before the end of the summer (and before the Leash Police ticket again!)
Maria
February 28, 2009
February 18, 2009
Let there be a lease free zone!
We walk around saying that we need a place to let dogs be dogs, but it never seems to happen. I have lived in the neighbourhood for over 10 years and aside from the postage stamp over by Don Russell park (which is currently a construction zone) there is no place for our furry friends to romp and play lease free legally.
Recent good weather has only highlighted the problem, with an increase in complaints of off-lease dogs and a strong presence of Animal Control. Most of the dogs walkers I encounter are law-abiding citizens who scoop the poop, and pick up garbage left behind by others. They understand that the water front, while attractive, is home to a diverse and delicate population of wild birds, and is a popular walking area for families and children. The dogs need their own place.
And a perfect spot is the open lawn next to the RL Clark Filtration Plant. The land as far as I am aware is open, the city cannot and will not build on it because the plant, and it is unused, except for the dogs walkers who want to avoid the waterfront.
So where does this leave us?
Well the city requires a organized group to petition them inorder to create this doggie sanctuary. I am far to busy to do this, so other admins are welcome, but here is my first contrbution. This is the first installment of a dog owners, and a dog walkers association so we can get the much needed space. In order to abide by city policy I will be recruiting owners, walkers and their friends to become members of this group.
Right now there will be no membership fee, but in the future if we need to contribute lets say, fencing, or picnic tables we may poll the membership for funds. All we need now is your full and real name, your address and phone number and email (for mailings) This is so we can show the city we are an organized and offical group. It will not be used for sales or solicitations and it will not be sold or trades to other organizations. I will ask that you allow yourselves to recieve newsletters, which will mainly consist of an email alert that links to new postings on this blog. I also hope that if and when there are meetings with the city I can count on your attendance.
Please contact me through the email fridathedog (at) rocketmail.com
Thanks for you energy and support,
Maria Doyle
Recent good weather has only highlighted the problem, with an increase in complaints of off-lease dogs and a strong presence of Animal Control. Most of the dogs walkers I encounter are law-abiding citizens who scoop the poop, and pick up garbage left behind by others. They understand that the water front, while attractive, is home to a diverse and delicate population of wild birds, and is a popular walking area for families and children. The dogs need their own place.
And a perfect spot is the open lawn next to the RL Clark Filtration Plant. The land as far as I am aware is open, the city cannot and will not build on it because the plant, and it is unused, except for the dogs walkers who want to avoid the waterfront.
So where does this leave us?
Well the city requires a organized group to petition them inorder to create this doggie sanctuary. I am far to busy to do this, so other admins are welcome, but here is my first contrbution. This is the first installment of a dog owners, and a dog walkers association so we can get the much needed space. In order to abide by city policy I will be recruiting owners, walkers and their friends to become members of this group.
Right now there will be no membership fee, but in the future if we need to contribute lets say, fencing, or picnic tables we may poll the membership for funds. All we need now is your full and real name, your address and phone number and email (for mailings) This is so we can show the city we are an organized and offical group. It will not be used for sales or solicitations and it will not be sold or trades to other organizations. I will ask that you allow yourselves to recieve newsletters, which will mainly consist of an email alert that links to new postings on this blog. I also hope that if and when there are meetings with the city I can count on your attendance.
Please contact me through the email fridathedog (at) rocketmail.com
Thanks for you energy and support,
Maria Doyle
City Rules for Establishing Off-Leash Areas
To apply for an off-leash area:
1) Dog owners interested in establishing a leash free area in a City Park must establish a local dog-owner association.
2) The proponents must identify two key contacts and submit a written proposal to Parks, Forestry and Recreation, attention: Parks Director.
3) The Ward Councillor will be notified of the proposal for an off-leash area and kept apprised of the outcome of the review process.
4) Parks, Forestry and Recreation in consultation with Toronto Public Health, Animal Services, Toronto Water or other divisions/agencies as required, will review the proposal and assess the site against the above-noted criteria.
5) If the proposal does not meet the above criteria, the Park Supervisor will advise the dog-owner association in writing of the reasons why the location is not appropriate.
6) Where the proposed site is deemed suitable by Parks, Forestry and Recreation, the Division will contact the local Ward Councillor and host a public information meeting to advise interested residents, community representatives, advisory council members, sports groups, area schools, business improvement areas, residents’ associations and other park users that an off-leash area will be located in the identified park.
7) Public notice will be provided to the local Ward Councillor and all interested parks stakeholders (as indicated above) and be posted a minimum of 10 days prior to any scheduled meeting.
8) Parks, Forestry and Recreation shall negotiate the use of alternative sites with the dog-owner association, where the General Manager or designate deems it necessary or desirable to do so, and subject to any necessary approval from City officials.
1) Dog owners interested in establishing a leash free area in a City Park must establish a local dog-owner association.
2) The proponents must identify two key contacts and submit a written proposal to Parks, Forestry and Recreation, attention: Parks Director.
3) The Ward Councillor will be notified of the proposal for an off-leash area and kept apprised of the outcome of the review process.
4) Parks, Forestry and Recreation in consultation with Toronto Public Health, Animal Services, Toronto Water or other divisions/agencies as required, will review the proposal and assess the site against the above-noted criteria.
5) If the proposal does not meet the above criteria, the Park Supervisor will advise the dog-owner association in writing of the reasons why the location is not appropriate.
6) Where the proposed site is deemed suitable by Parks, Forestry and Recreation, the Division will contact the local Ward Councillor and host a public information meeting to advise interested residents, community representatives, advisory council members, sports groups, area schools, business improvement areas, residents’ associations and other park users that an off-leash area will be located in the identified park.
7) Public notice will be provided to the local Ward Councillor and all interested parks stakeholders (as indicated above) and be posted a minimum of 10 days prior to any scheduled meeting.
8) Parks, Forestry and Recreation shall negotiate the use of alternative sites with the dog-owner association, where the General Manager or designate deems it necessary or desirable to do so, and subject to any necessary approval from City officials.
February 17, 2009
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