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.