Public engagement

• Staff conducted extensive public engagement over the last five years to better understand community perspectives. The primary engagement was an Off-Leash Area Review initiative in 2022. A What We Heard Report highlights the engagement efforts within the review, and key themes emerging from public feedback.
• Feedback from the Off-Leash Area Review revealed a range of perspectives from residents, both opposed to and in favour of off-leash trail space.
• Further engagement through the Outdoor Enjoyment Strategy and ongoing conversations with residents highlighted concerns with incidents involving off-leash dogs.
• Residents have also formally submitted concerns about trail safety outside of engagement initiatives, with some reports of serious injuries resulting from incidents with off-leash dogs.

Resident needs

• Safety: Residents have stated they want to feel safe when using trails, parks and open spaces. There has been a reported decrease in trail use due to the unpredictability of off-leash animals. This change to off-leash areas addresses and errs on the side of public safety.
• Clarity & Predictability: Residents indicated a need for more clarity on which spaces are on and off-leash, maps, enforcement, and what to expect when entering on and off-leash areas. 

Incidents - low frequency, high severity, and underreported

• Public engagement uncovered significant accounts of residents who had been subjected to or witnessed severe incidents on the trails involving off-leash dogs. Victims of these incidents include, but are not limited to, children, people on mobility scooters or with other accessibility requirements, other vulnerable trail users, and wildlife.
• Engagement also uncovered that residents often underreport incidents. This may be due to difficulty enforcing, providing more than verbal proof, lack of resolve, etc. The number and severity of incidents is likely higher than the number indicated through recorded service requests and MHPS statistics.

Visibility: These spaces were identified based on their suitability and current popularity to ensure safe use for all. They are wide open with many access points and good site lines. This allows for a more predictable experience and assists in reducing the chance of high-risk incidents caused by unexpected encounters. 

Functionality/usability: These areas are all easy for residents to access and navigate and are clearly delineated with signage.

A clear, safer, more predictable and enjoyable experience for all 

• Residents use the city’s trails, parks and open spaces for a wide variety of recreational and leisurely purposes. They are for everyone to enjoy – not all users are dog owners, and not all feel comfortable or safe around animals. 
• Clear signage to indicate when entering and exiting off-leash spaces, ensures predictability, and all users are comfortable and confident when enjoying these spaces. This better manages all residents’ expectations on safety and anticipated outcomes using these spaces.
• Outdoor spaces are also shared with wildlife. When pets are on-leash, it makes it safer for both them and other animals when an unexpected encounter occurs. 

Residents may share feedback on these off-leash area adjustments by submitting comments through the City’s off-leash feedback form.

Feedback Form