Winchester Park Off Leash Dog Area

@Alex Wilmot you got it pal. But while I'm here, just want to reiterate that no opponents to this proposal have addressed any of the points we have raised, especially regarding safety on school grounds. That is all. Ceasing now. Also desisting.

@Alex Wilmot you think that my asking you a series of questions and then restating the reasons for our petition--after you complained that we are dividing the community--constitutes over-the-top hostility? I am shocked that you are shocked. So I guess we have that in common. But it seems like we got sidetracked. Are you interested in addressing any of the points we have raised?

@Alex Wilmot do you honestly think that we propose this measure because we have an intent to divide the community? Or that we are not peace-loving? Far from it. Ours is an attempt at compromise. First of all, as you must know from constantly watching the park, off-leash dogs are already against park rules. Did you resist those rules when they were established, or do you just think they don't matter? Second, owners constantly run their dogs inside the school grounds. Do you think that is exemplary behavior? Third, many parents have been attacked by dogs, or cursed and spat at by owners (not an exaggeration). You are not seeing this stuff because you are not paying attention. Or maybe you just don't care. The reason this petition has gotten numerous signatures is that we parents--many of whom are also dog owners in the neighborhood--are tired of the community privileging animals over kids. The basic fact is that unknown dogs running around off leash next to hundreds of kids is dangerous. And many of the kids are scared as hell of the dogs in the park. This is why the leashing by-laws exist in the first place, even if you and other park-goers have agreed on WhatsApp to ignore those rules.

@Azam Abowath These comments are entirely based on actual, real events and real emotions of others: "I am strongly opposed to people allowing their dogs to inconvenience other people. On the other hand, avidly worrying about this possibility at a distance can be excessively short-sighted. A person playing with a dog and taking care this doesn't disturb other people isn't an instant sign of deplorable chaos." This is all based on over 50 years of observation, which is why it sounds rather general.

@Randy Alexander The park osten functions as a playground or recess area for the school. And the same dog owners who are breaking the rules of Winchester Park break the rules of Winchester School. So the point I'm making stands. The proximity to a school makes it non ideal for an off leash dog park.

Hi@Shannah Kavonic, please feel free to take a look at the Winchester Park Four Seasons Mosaic Project here! https://torontocentreprojects.ca/en/projects/winchester-park-four-season-mosaic-project

@Shelley Ledger I think you are right that most dog owners are cool and respectful. I have a dog, and I live one block away. So I can also say with certainty that local dog owners ignore the clearly posted rules against off leash dogs in the field. I wonder how long those rules have existed, and how long they have been overlooked. The main problem that we have to solve is that many people are running their dogs off leash inside the daycare area at Winchester playground, and some of these folks have attacked parents who ask them to leave. This scares the kids, and causes other problems, like dog mess left inside the playground, etc. TDSB won't close school grounds after hours, so what should we do? If we create an enclosure, it could solve that problem, in addition to the routine violation of the off leash rule. What's the drawback to this option?