Tag Archives: trees

Off-Leash Area Update

The proposed area may have grown (probably northwards) by a small amount because of the addition of a separate small dog section. There was some discussion as to the nature of the surface of the area which apparently will be 4-6″ of pea gravel on top of a mesh filter which will help with drainage. As mentioned, plans are to divide the area into two parts for small and large dogs so there will be two gates and two paved pathways from the Pan-Am Trail for access. The small dog area would be for dogs 20 lbs and under. Regardless, all dogs should be under the owner’s control at all times. Dangerous dogs should not use the area. See Code of Conduct below.*

Fencing will be post and paddle, 1.5 m tall and made of northern pine. It will be reinforced with wire mesh 4-6″ deep to deter dogs that dig. Benches will be installed for owners.

There will be a delay in the opening of the area because of work currently ongoing on the retaining wall. This is taking longer than expected. There is only one entrance to the park and so the retaining wall and another job – an upgrade to the path will be done first; after that, sewer work will be ongoing. The reckoning is that the area will take about a month to set up and will be open by ‘Thanksgiving at the latest’.

One piece of good news is that TRCA has plans to plant trees along the north end of the area and between the area and the ravine slope. This will provide storm runoff relief and shade for the area (and perhaps some sound mitigation for nearby homes).

Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm but locals will be able to access the area at any time. The parking lot will continue to be locked at 9:30pm daily and re-open at 8:00am and will be closed for the Winter between November 1st and April 30.

There was a reminder to residents that the area will be self-policing and that they should supervise and pick up after their pets. There was confusion as to where to put dog waste – in the garbage or the recycling. This will be cleared up later (the location not the waste).

Sadly there is still no link on the City website to the plans or even the current state of off-leash parks.

*Code of Conduct for Off Leash Area

Municipal Code Chapter #608

Comply with all signs and boundaries.
Dog(s) must be on leash at all times except when in the designated off-leash area.
All dog(s) must have a visible municipal license affixed to the dog(s).
Dog(s) must remain in off-leash area so as not to trample or endanger plant material and other park resources.
Dog(s) excluded from off-leash areas include:
1. Pit Bulls or other dangerous animal
2. Female dogs in heat
3. Any dog(s) that has been issued a muzzle order by the Medical Officer of Health.
Dogs shall not chase wildlife.
Pick up after your dog(s) and place waste in receptacle or take home for disposal.
Keep dogs in sight and under control at all times.
Do not leave dog(s) unattended while in off-leash area.
Repair holes dug by the dog(s) under your control.

Violation of Bylaws are punishable by fines.

Ice Storm threatens trees

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The view from the safety of a neighbour’s back yard.

While we’ve rounded the corner in terms of daylight hours, a severe ice storm has dumped a thick layer of ice on the park. Many trees are leaning and severely stressed with the extra burden. To complicate matters, moderate winds are forecast and there seems to be no possibility of a thaw in the next few days. Sorry about the lack of photos but the park is an ice sheet.

In the meantime, best wishes to all for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.

A couple of mysteries solved.

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A couple of updates while we’re waiting for spring.

I discovered the identity of the ‘Douche’ who has been leaving packages of dog poo around the park. Yesterday, I brought a plastic shopping bag with me so that I could grab the odd bits of litter as I walked through the park. I passed by the lower entrance to the woods and the pile of bags that were left there all winter. There were four of them and another three along the way including a fresh one hanging on a tree. Into the plastic bag with all of them.

Before… notice the very old one at 11 o’clock from the newer pile of 3.

After!

After doing my civic duty (and seething about the fresh bag of dog crap left hanging on a tree), I was talking about the ‘Poo Bomber‘ (also mentioned here) to a fellow dog owner; let’s call him Dave, and he said, ‘That’s me. Rather than carry them all the way through the park, I leave them and pick them up later’. Needless to say I was gobsmacked and mentioned that many had not been picked up. ‘That’s not me’, Dave insisted. This was just after picking up seven identical bags scattered through the woods – including the one on the tree. I didn’t press the point but at least I’m not watching out for who it is any more. Hopefully Dave will get the hint from now on. I mentioned that I keep a blog and he keeps telling me he’ll get around to reading it. I guess I’ll know when he does.

As for what I thought was a BMX track in the woods, I saw it in use the other day. A couple of adults and a small child came down the hill following a remote controlled toy truck of some kind. The track is for the toy and everyone stands and watches this thing trundle its way over the course. Go figure.