Item - 2025.IE20.9

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council approve Toronto's Dog Off-Leash Strategy as set out in Attachment 1 to the report (March 27, 2025) from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, replacing the People, Dogs and Parks - Off-leash Policy, adopted by City Council at its meeting on January 26 and 27, 2010.

Howie Dayton, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, gave a presentation on Toronto's Dog Off-Leash Strategy: A Citywide Approach to Dogs Off-Leash Areas.

In response to Council direction (2023.IE6.8, 2023.MM19.3), this report proposes an updated citywide Toronto Dog Off-Leash Strategy (“Strategy”) to serve as both a framework and decision-making tool to guide planning, locating, designing, building, maintaining, and upgrading off-leash areas, as well as promoting responsible dog ownership through education and enforcement and engaging residents including off-leash area users. In addition, the report proposes guidance for Commercial Dog Walker use of off-leash areas.

Toronto is home to more than three million people, and it is estimated that Toronto may be home to 600,000 or more dogs. Currently the City of Toronto's off-leash area network includes 81 off-leash areas, distributed across 21 wards which vary widely in size, design, amenities, and age. An additional 13 off-leash areas are under development and are anticipated for delivery over the next two years, which will bring the total to 94 off-leash areas in 23 wards by 2027.

Off-leash areas are an important part of Toronto’s park system and have become cherished community assets across the city. Off-leash areas are designated spaces where dogs can exercise, play, and socialize off-leash with other dogs. Off-leash areas enhance the well-being of dog owners by providing spaces for people to socialize with community members, spend time outdoors, and exercise.

Toronto’s Dog Off-Leash Strategy (“Strategy”) represents the next chapter for off-leash areas as the City of Toronto works to improve the park experience for all visitors, including both dogs and people. The Strategy builds on the City's existing approach in place since 2010 for new off-leash area development and seeks to refine and update to reflect Toronto's growth that has seen more people and dogs living together in increasingly dense communities and sharing limited parkland with many competing demands. Toronto’s updated Strategy takes a citywide approach and is underpinned by the following goals:

Goal 1: Plan Proactively. Implement a citywide and proactive approach to planning for new off-leash area development integrated with the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan.

Goal 2: Engage Community. Reinforce and strengthen the important role that residents including off-leash area users play in creating well-functioning and welcoming spaces across the off-leash area network.

Goal 3: Design, Locate, and Build Quality off-leash areas. Locate and build off-leash areas to a high and consistent standard with consideration to adjacent land uses and the natural environment.

Goal 4: Maintain - Keep Every off-leash area Clean and Well-Cared For. Maintain off-leash areas to a high and consistent standard.

Goal 5: Improve - Sustain and Increase Value. Improve existing off-leash areas through ongoing state-of-good repair investments.

Goal 6: Ensure Responsible Use of off-leash areas. Communicate and enforce simple and consistent rules of conduct at off-leash areas to support bylaw compliance through education and enforcement.

Goal 7: Commercial Dog Walker Access. Support Commercial Dog Walker access to off-leash areas by implementing guidance at new off-leash areas.

The review was informed by extensive public and off-leash area user engagement, a review of best practices from jurisdictions in Canada and internationally, as well as the City-wide Study for Existing City of Toronto Dogs Off-Leash Areas ("2021 Study"), which has guided a number City improvements to off-leash area design, operations and maintenance, and administration to date. The work was undertaken through a combination of staff efforts supported by the consulting services of thinc design, a Toronto-based landscape architecture and planning firm. In addition, an interdivisional staff team that included representatives from Environment, Climate and Forestry, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and six Parks and Recreation branches provided leadership and oversight on this review. Further City Planning, and Solid Waste Management Services were consulted and provided advice.

This updated approach is supported by stakeholders who have encouraged the City to take a more proactive and comprehensive approach to off-leash area planning, design, maintenance, and stewardship, commensurate with off-leash area approaches in other major cities. If approved, the Strategy will replace the City's 2010 Off-leash Policy.

Finally, this report, as requested by City Council, also explored the feasibility of an off-leash dog track or an off-leash area along the York Beltline Trail in response to 2024.IE11.10. Staff have reviewed the location with the Ward Councillor with a view to serve as many people and dogs as possible. Discussions are ongoing. No further report back is anticipated at this time.