Baird Dog Park Construction Cancelled

In January 2010 the city of Toronto announced the approval of 10 new off leash parks. Baird Park was one of the parks where the review, design and public consultation processes were announced as completed and construction of the site was to commence some time this year. A happy announcement for the local dog owners, unfortunately this news was not welcomed by the remainder of their community.

A group of park users felt outraged by the plans, denouncing dogs as “unpredictable no matter how well behaved” and an unacceptable danger to the near by children’s playground. Area residents believed the site was too small to accomodate an already existing playground, lawn bowling club, and the dogs. Concerns were voiced over uncontrolled off leash dogs in the park, un-scooped dog poop, nuisance barking, and the destruction of existing grass, adding that dog owners could use the already existing off leash area in the near by High Park. Area residents also complained that they were never notified about the original public consultation meeting that took place in November 2009 when the decision to approve the area was made.

By June 2010, the City’s Parks Department received considerable feedback in regard to the off-leash area designation at Baird Park and as such a second public meeting was scheduled to provide opportunity for residents to voice concerns in an effort to reach a reasonable compromise for all park users. The public meeting took place on July 13, 2010. By July 30th, the posts already erected for the off leash area’s fencing were removed.