Item - 2019.DI2.7

The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee:

1.  Referred the item to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation with the request to:

a.  consider a study on the feasibility of implementing artificial turf or other solutions in all dog off leash areas in Toronto, to improve accessibility; and

b.  consider accessible signage at dog off leash areas to indicate any inaccessible elements and any potential hazards; and to post the information online; and

c.  provide an update to a future meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

One of my constituents, who is visually impaired and uses a cane, took a serious fall while using the Dog Off Leash Area (DOLA) at Greenwood Park. My constituent was understandably hesitant to use the DOLA and was then given a ticket by the City for having her dog off-leash in the park.

This unfortunate incident brought to my attention the need for a review of accessibility standards for Dog Off Leash Areas in city parks.

The Rick Hansen Foundation describes pea gravel surfaces as inaccessible and calls for them to be replaced in play surfaces.  A 2005 Safe Kids Canada report notes pea gravel surfaces "can be hard to walk on and cannot be used with wheelchairs or other mobility aides." 

I also have a constituent using the same dog park who is in a wheelchair and he does not feel that the concrete strip along the south side of the fence gives him the access he needs.  

In April, City Council approved a plan to redo the DOLA with artificial turf, bringing it in line with accessibility standards from other cities. I am sure this issue goes beyond Greenwood and impacts resident and DOLA's across Toronto.

As you are a citizen group giving advice to Council I wanted to bring this matter to your attention. I am sure you will be interested in the outcome of the renewed surface of the dog park.