We took the dogs out to the new and improved Jack Darling Leash Free park this morning. It was our first visit since they opened up the new area. As construction on the water treatment plant there has been completed, the dog park has been reconfigured and shifted and expanded. There are gravel paths, dirt paths, fields and a bit of forest. Most dog parks, such as the one down the street from us, are simply a fenced in field with a bench and a gate or two and a couple garbage cans. Now at Jack Darling, the paths loop and change. There is a great deal of variety as the park follows the ups and downs of the filtration plant. Very nicely designed. There is even a water tap available so you can give your dogs some fresh cold water. They really did a great job.

However, there is some kind of leash-free political problem happening. There were some people at the entrance with a petition and there was a sign that talked about freedom of speech except at Jack Darling. One of the issues was about the election of a board member who was now not being recognized. Another issue was about a restriction apparently added to the park rules restricting children from the leash-free area. I didn’t really have a full picture of the issues after talking to the people with the petition – if you know what’s going on with Mississauga dog park politics, please comment and let me know.