…but I think it’s the right way to go.
As regular readers here at 27th Street know, I support the leash-free dog park planned for a piece of the R.L. Clark filtration plant land next to Sam Smith Park. I’ve learned that not everyone is in favour of this initiative. In fact, the other day a local dog-owner expressed his displeasure with me because I thought a fenced park was a good idea. I know others who also do not support the leash-free zone. None of the people I know who are against if made it out to the last public meeting to express their opinion. There was a voice of dissent at the meeting, but it was an isolated voice. Most of the people who spoke at the meeting were happy we were getting a leash-free area in our neighbourhood.
A leash-free zone respects the variety of users in the urban park environment – students, birders, walkers, seniors, sunbathers, families with kids – and not all of them appreciate loose dogs running around. As well, as much as I would hope that dog owners clean up after their pets all the time, I’ve seen in Sam Smith Park that some people don’t. My experience in fenced dog parks is that they are self-policed. If a dog owner doesn’t clean up after his or her pet, it’s very likely that somebody will say something, like “do you need a bag?”
I think the proposed leash-free zone would be better if it were bigger, and would be better if it included the area on top of the hill, and if it had lighting and drinking water, but I’m none-the-less happy we’re getting it, and happy that other locations are being considered as well.
We have been taking Memphis to two leash-free areas on a fairly regular basis. One is South Etobicoke Creek, which is a beautiful spot running down the valley along the creek. The other is Jack Darling, just the other side of Port Credit. I think both those areas work very well. Memphis has a great time at both of them. She plays with plenty of dogs and she’s safe from traffic, and can’t bother anyone who doesn’t appreciate a big lovable dog.
I’m looking forward to our new area, and to the one at Humber Bay as well.
27th Street 
The folks who are opposed to a leash free park are likely the ones who think they will be allowed to let their dogs run free outside of a designated area. That freedom is sort of nice but it can be shut down at any time the city gets an urge or a complaint. Especially a complaint. The canine control officer in my area has to deal with what amounts to a no dogs off leash law that covers the entire township. Her attitude is that there is no way she is going to hide in the shrubbery looking to fine offenders, but if she gets a specific complaint that can be proven then she will investigate and lay charges if needed. Much of these laws I think come from the insurance companies. If your dog bites someone in a township with off leash ban laws it doesnt much matter if it was provoked or not, your ass is grass and you have no defense.