I am happy to share that after years of advocacy and a year and a half since my motion was adopted by Council, we now have a comprehensive City-Wide Dog Off-Leash Strategy in place. This strategy marks a significant step forward in ensuring that we take a proactive approach to locating and building new Dog Off-Leash Areas across the city. It incorporates the valuable feedback we received from the public following the initial study conducted by Thinc Design in 2019, and establishes clear standards and guidelines for the design and operation of these areas. Moreover, it emphasizes the need for greater focus on enforcement regarding dogs off-leash, which is crucial for the safety and enjoyment of all park users.
Council adopted one of my amendments directing Municipal Licensing and Standards to provide an update in the first quarter of 2026 on enforcement efforts, ensuring we maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Toronto Dog Park Community, Paws for Parks, and the residents of Toronto Centre for their persistent advocacy and input throughout this process. Your passion and commitment have played an essential role in shaping this strategy, ensuring that it reflects the needs and desires of our community.
In Toronto Centre, every resident is within 1.5km walking distance of a Dog Off-Leash Area. We currently have 6 OLA's - including the largest OLA in the City (Riverdale Park West) - with 3 new OLA's being built.
Here is what the strategy means for Toronto Centre:
New Dog Off-Leash Hours
Dog Off-Leash Areas (OLA's) located within 20 meters of residential properties will now be open from 7:00am to 10:00am, while all other OLA's will align with park hours from 6:00am to 12:00am. This is to ensure that neighbours are respected while still providing ample opportunity for doggy play dates.
- Allan Gardens will see its hours expanded to match park hours (previously it was only open 6:00am-11:00pm).
- Barbara Hall Park, Breadalbane Park, and Regent Park OLA hours will be reduced to 7:00am to 10:00pm.
- Orphan’s Green and Riverdale Park West OLA hours remain unchanged (6:00am-12:00am).
Refreshed Dog Off-Leash Areas
Allan Gardens
In 2024, through Participatory Budgeting, the community voted to provide $350,000 in s37 community benefits for enhancements to the Allan Gardens OLA specifically related to improving the availability of shade, access to water in both the small and large dog sections, replacing the surfacing with artificial turf, providing additional seating, and increasing lighting.
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Barbara Hall Park
In 2023, through Participatory Budgeting, the community voted to provide $350,000 in s37 community benefits for enhancements to the Barbara Hall Park OLA. Improvements will include: replacing the surfacing with artificial turf and an irrigation system, installing permanent agility equipment, new fencing, new double door entrances, and lighting and security enhancements.
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Orphan's Green
Lighting and surfacing upgrades are coming to Orphan's Green Dog Off-Leash Area.
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Regent Park
The pea gravel at the Regent Park OLA will be replaced with artificial turf.
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New Off-leash Areas Coming Soon
Not necessarily new as part of the strategy, but a reminder that we have two new Dog Off-Leash Areas coming soon.
Sumach-Shuter Park OLA (Regent Park/Corktown)
A new fenced Dog Off-Leash Area is being constructed as part of the Sumach-Shuter Parkette Redesign and is scheduled to open summer 2025.
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Underpass Park West OLA (Canary District/Corktown)
The new Underpass Park West OLA is scheduled to open in Spring 2026.
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Moss Park OLA
As part of the Moss Park Redesign, a new fenced Dog Off-Leash Area is coming to the Moss Park neighbourhood.
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