The new leash free zone is almost complete with a glaring exception and a puzzling oversight.
The zone looks a bit like a small horse paddock. They’re at the post…
There is no signage or anywhere to put the poop bags / cigarettes butts and coffee cups that the zone will generate. There is also some work left to ensure the fencing is well attached. Still, for a Toronto project it has been constructed relatively quickly, especially considering that two other major projects have been happening in the vicinity.
Benches are provided for owners to watch their dogs.
One major design flaw seems to be with the small dog enclosure.
An ‘airlock’ that ensures dogs don’t escape when one gate is opened.
There are two double-gated ‘airlocks’ that ensure safe entry of new dogs without allowing an unleashed dog to suddenly dart out into the park. So far so good. Unfortunately both gates lead into the large dog section.
I would have made one entrance for the large dog enclosure and a separate one for smaller dogs; but then, I’m not an expert.
The northern ‘airlock’. Note the small dog entrance some distance away accessible only from the large dog enclosure.
The long walk through the large dog section to access the small dog zone.
Unless something changes, it looks as if small dog owners will be forced to run the gauntlet through the large dog enclosure.
Some fencing still needs to be attached to the posts.
As I was taking photographs, an elderly gentleman walked by with his Jack Russell off leash, ignoring the zone. That might be a problem with this particular zone – it’s just so much nicer in the rest of the park.
Only time will tell if people will actually make use of the zone and follow the rules once they’re posted. There certainly seems to be no difference in the behaviour of many people who still come and go with their dogs off leash.
Friends of Raymore Park 
Are you allowed to use the zone now?
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There’s nothing to indicate that you can’t use it. From what I gather, people are using it already.
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As far as leash-frees go, it’s pretty impressive. Let’s hope it does get good use now that it’s too late to turn back. On a different note, I was wondering how all the recent rain affected the area. We had quite a bit of flooding out here.
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I’ve just returned after a few weeks away but from what I can tell, we dodged the proverbial bullet. I did notice a small amount of erosion above the retaining wall but it doesn’t look too serious.
The good part about cool and wet weather is that spring flowers and blossoms have lasted much longer.
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I see the dog park now has a Facebook page – 20 members so far and lots of pics of numerous dogs seemingly enjoyong themselves.
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Thanks for that Jill, I’ll check it out.
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Unbelievable!!! A small dog area with no gate for entrance.!! Have to walk through large dog area to get into it. How many morons are there on the planning and building committees that constructed this???
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