Best of Toronto
The Best Dog Parks in Toronto
The best dog parks in Toronto aren't necessarily the biggest or greenest - desirable criteria often attributed to the greatest of recreational spaces. For dog owners, spaces that are safe and accessible set the standard.
In identifying the diverse uses of Toronto's parks, city bylaw expects dogs to be leashed at all times, except in designated areas. But not all off-leash parks are created equal. Some spaces enforce time restrictions or outline unclear boundaries, while the very best parks cater to pets and people alike. Conveniences like washrooms, poop-bag dispensers, and seating can make walking Fido, well, a walk in the park.
This site's resident dog owners, along with a duo of discerning terriers, reviewed (and sniffed) 12 of Toronto's best dog-friendly spaces, listed alphabetically.
LEGEND
W= washrooms
F= fenced
B= benches
T= walking trails
D= dog poop bags
G= adequate disposal facilities
H= 24-hour access
P= parking
S= on major Subway or streetcar route
Allan Gardens, 121 Carlton St.
Home to a century-old conservatory and six greenhouses, Allan Gardens is an overlooked urban oasis. In Fall 2008, the park opened new digs for its canine friends. The improved off-leash area boasts ornamental fencing surrounding the fully enclosed space, manicured shrubs and even a dog-themed sculpture - details that are surely impressive to humans, but typically left unnoticed by dogs. F,B,G,S,H
Bickford Park, 400 Grace St.
While the park provides 24-hour access to dogs during the winter months, beware that hours are greatly restricted in the summer. Pooches amicably share this community space with tobogganing children and scrimmage soccer games. Dogs are aplenty, ensuring a good game of chase on any given visit. While not fenced, the crater-like park offers an expansive space with safety from traffic. B,G,S
Don Valley Brickworks, 550 Bayview Ave.
The Brickworks is located along a network of gorgeous hiking trails, many of them off-leash friendly. It is well worth the 25-minute trek from Castle Frank subway station. But, if you must drive, parking is available. The "Dog Patch" is a large completely fenced wooded area with plenty of exploring opportunities. Best bet: visit in the summer months to take advantage of the Brickworks Farmers' Market and additional community events. W,F,B,T,G,P,H
High Park, 1873 Bloor St. W.
High Park, the city's largest, offers the best strolling opportunities. "Dog Hill" may be your run-of-the-mill dog park, but the adjoining well-marked trails are also part of the designated off-leash area. Dog Hill has plenty of seating for weary feet, nearby washrooms, and a drinking fountain for pets. W,G,P,T,B,D,S,H
Kew Gardens, 2075 Queen St. E
The Beach is home to several pet-centric businesses and a large community of tail-wagging customers. A brisk window-shopping walk along Queen and through Kew Gardens leads to a huge 24-hour off-leash area bordered by the lake at the south end. While we may be skeptical of the water, dogs are a little less discerning. Poop-bags are free for forgetful owners. F,G,B,D,T,S,H
PawsWay, 245 Queens Quay W
Canada's first pets-allowed indoor eatery is reason enough to visit PawsWay's Harbourfront digs. Here, not only can Fifi dine with you; she also has 3700 square feet of indoor off-leash heaven. Winter dog walking is miserable at best, but PawsWay offers respite from cold paws and fingers. Coffee, restrooms, and free poop-bags are the icing on the cake. Refer to the events calendar for the off-leash free-play schedule. W,F,B.D,G,P,S
Sir Winston Churchill Park, 301 St. Clair Ave. W.
Adjoined by Nordheimer Ravine to the North and Roycroft Park to the South, Sir Winston Churchill offers a scenic walk for owners not content to just sit and supervise. Start at the entrance to the ravine and snake your way South through the ample off-leash area, ending at Roycroft. Sir Winston Churchill is picnic-perfect, with plenty of open green space for expending canine energy. T,S,G,H
South Stanley Park, 845 King St. W.
A good bet for downtown-west dog owners, this space is about to get better. Beginning this Spring, the City will be conducting major design improvements to the park, including the addition of an enclosed off-leash area. Currently, unleashed hours are limited during warmer months, but the new fence could help ease restrictions. B,G,S
Sunnybrook Park, Leslie and Eglinton
While most easily accessible by car (the parking lot is adjacent to the off-leash area), Sunnybrook Park's system of hiking trails also allows access on foot. Bring a retractable leash and take advantage of the scenic walk. The 24-hour off-leash zone, located behind the hospital, is small but provides owner conveniences like poop bags and seating. F,B,T,G,P,H
Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen St. W
Hipster dogs congregate in the off-leash pit at the centre of this massive urban park while their human counterparts picnic and play bocce on the surrounding hills. The sunken dog-friendly area provides separation, and a good vantage point for supervising pet owners. Ample seating is available, as well as green bins for doggy waste. B,G,S,H
Vermont Square, 819 Palmerston Ave.
For Annex dog owners, this may be the closest they get to their own off-leash park, even though Palmerston barely qualifies as part of the 'hood. But with a serious lack of dog-friendly spaces, owners can take their chances and defy city bylaw elsewhere or make the trip to Vermont Square. This unfenced patch of grass is nestled between pretty houses and is safely sheltered from busy streets. B,G
Wychwood Barns Park, 601 Christie St.
Set against the gorgeous Artscape Wychwood Barns - historic TTC repair barns turned arts-based community centre - the fenced area provides safety from busy traffic. While small, the off-leash area offers picnic tables for owners and a drinking fountain. Inexplicable time restrictions mean that the parkette sits empty weekdays from 12-3pm. Bring the pooch on weekends, and enjoy Wychwood Barns farmers markets and events. W,F,B,G,S
See also:
The best pet stores in Toronto
The best pet grooming and daycare in Toronto
Discussion
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Allen's Gardens has an eclectic, friendly group of dog owners, but the poor drainage and bad design (hello - the grass didn't last 6 weeks after being sodded!) has left the place a bit of an open sewer: dusty in summer, swampy whenever it rains. The best time is in winter when the guck has frozen over. Plus, the dog fountain rarely works, again poor design.
The bluffs, south of Warden, along the bottom of the cliffs is another favorite of mine, if you can handle the perilous climb down the eroding trail! (Four legged critters won't mind it, though!)
The ravine at Balfour Park is another unknown oasis, especially in the 'off-season' when nobody goes down there but the odd jogger and the dog owners from the area. Ditto for all of Ashbridges Bay.
In fact, an intrepid dog owner can have the entire Humber Bay/Sunnyside area to themselves most of the year; after all, the tourists, picnicers and strollers rarely come out form November to April.
The dog parks are for the dogs and to stay away from shit heads like you. Dogs are loving kind creatures. unlike most humans.
What makes me batty are the assholes at the dog park near me who share that twat's opinion... and they have dogs! They bring their dogs to the park, scream at them if they bark or wrestle, grab their collars and ultimately just snap the leash back on the poor dog who had the audacity to be a dog at the dog park.
(that's dog for, 'screw you!'
http://toronto.dogsofleisure.com/
Second of all, I also do not put my dog poop in someone elses green bin because I assume they do not have a dog and do not want crap lying in the bottom of their green bin stinking it up!
Thirdly, BELIEVe or not many dog owners cannot stand other dog owners who behave this way either. I cannot stand it when I see other dog owners not pick up after their dog, its infuriating! I often tell them off to pick it up, many often do this at the enclosed dog parks if you can believe. I think its disgusting and unhealthy and often find myself not just cleaning up after my dog but other peoples dogs as well!
Brian, nice product plug. People you should not own a dog if you don't like cleaning up after them and carrying the resulting poopy bags to the next available trash can. It's part of being a responsible pet owner! If you had a baby would you not change it's diaper because it's disgusting? Thought not.
If you see someone leave their dog's droppings, confront them if you want them to learn. And I agree with the 'angry generalizing posters' that many dog owners just don't care.
Dog parks are one of the least concerned areas for me. Other dog walkers and dog visitors to the parks will clean up someone else's mess more often than not, whereas if a dog dumps in someone's lawn, or at a street corner, no one is going to touch it.
http://doggedpark.blogspot.com/
The new fence was erected to seperate the dogs from the beachgoers with good intent however the new fence heavily encroaches on the best part of the beach. There is plenty of room for the dogs but why the new fence was erected such that 25% of the beach is now wasted is beyond me.
Cherry beach should also be monitored as there are posted off leash times but few dog owners if any abide by the rules which may be part of the reason for the fence being erected? I have seen dogs running around on long weekends peeing on peoples picnics on the beach when it clearly states that it is prohibited to have your dog off your leash.
As a dog owner myself I am embarassed that this fence was erected. This only demonstrates that dog owners are being irresponsible. One day perhaps beachgoers will fight back and have the dog owners banned and remove this eyesore off the beach.
When I see young children out of their stroller and running around an off leash area. It's super dangerous and naive to assume that every dog is going to be like your "fluffy"........... I don't allow my dog to play in your child's designated play areas..... why would anyone think that it's safe to let there child play with toys and eat food in an off leash area???? or parents who treat the off leash area's as a petting zoo......... Go to the zoo. Last but not least when children stand on the other side of the fence and tease and taunt the dogs.......... that's how you're kid gets bit and lunged at. Common sense people!
The area is still huge and the dogs can still go for a swim at the western end of the off-leash area. Now people who are scared of dogs or uncomfortable with them running and playing freely don't have to worry. Not only that it provides safety for those dogs that have a tendency to run back to the parking lot.
People can still walk their dogs on-leash on the beach if they choose to do so.
I think the city did a marvelous service to dog owners and dogs a like by putting up the fenced in area for off-leashing! I was pleasantly surprised to see the fence up.
I can tell you that it makes humans very sick, ear infections, throat infections etc. Dogs seem to be able to drink out of puddles etc. without ill affects so maybe their stomachs can handle the lake water.
I would worry mostly about your pup drinking the water in late July, August and September when the bacteria levels are at their highest. The city does post warnings when the beeches around Toronto have a high fecal count.
This fairly small fenced-in area, next to the deafening DVP, is hard-packed concrete-like dirt, with a few pools of disgusting, stagnant water surrounded by foot-deep mud. These putrid pools ensure plenty of mosquitos and all your attention to ensure your dog stays out of them.
My advice to anyone interested in visiting for the "dog park" is DON'T GO! Try Cherry Beach instead. Bigger, non-toxic to dogs and you don't have to pay $2 an hour for parking.
Oh and by the way, off leash coming to Marie Curtis Park but what do I see - it stops just shy of the very extensive and uncrowded beach - can't we just have a bit of beach for swimming? C'mon!
I have a puppy - german shepherd that gets incredibly depressed when he doesn't get to play with another dog for 2 or 3 days. Meeting other dogs on the street, in petsmart, etc doesnt help. Taking him out for a 2 hour play fest as well does not help. Two minutes chasing another dog and he is happy as a pig in shyte.
What off leash dog park is practically guaranteed to have at least one other doggie to play with at all times (ok, dont go to park at 3am, but you know what i mean!)
We live in North York and no car.
Woof Woof - are you out there?
ybrend@telus.net
great comment earlier up about letting kids run around acting like prey around the dogs.
other don'ts: jogging, taunting, lunging, running, biking, anything that resembles intimidating body language. dogs, being dogs and all, WILL react to this. the may lunge, jump, nip, or bite. dogs have things called "instincts" based on breed traits, many to do with herding on hunting. very few dogs lunge or bite because they're "aggressive".
why should a dog be punished for being a dog in a designed off-leash dog area? oh, because PEOPLE don't know how to act around dogs, provoke them, and then freak out and have the dog punished by the municipality. ignorant, opportunistic, and highly unkind. don't get me started on lawsuits. they happen more than you think.