City's new off-leash policy does not consider people's health and safety

Was informed at last night's working group meeting by Sandy Straw, Manger of Parks and Bylaw Enforcement for Toronto and East York, that public health and safety are no longer concerns of the city when considering dogs in public parks.

This was in response to my question about Huron St. Park suddenly and without community consultation becoming a park that dogs are now allowed to access. For years it dogs were prohibited from entering the park which was the only of its kind (no dogs allowed) in the Annex. When inquiring about this new sign in an email where I said it was valuable to many parents because we felt the big sandy play area was free of dog urine and feces, Sandy assured me that many dogs use the park and poo and pee in the sand anyway. Last night at the meeting, she smiled proudly when she informed me that health and safety are no longer concerns of her department and the city.

Funny thing too is that she has identified this park as one to turn into an off-leash area. One of the most heavily used playgrounds in the neighborhood.