York Region will let two of its forest tracts go to the dogs, but leashing enforcement will be increased at the 20 other tracts open to the public.
Regional council’s committee of the whole backed a recommendation today, Feb. 10, to designate different parts of the York Regional Forest as on-leash and off-leash. While the Bendor and Graves tract in East Gwillimbury and Davis Drive tract in Whitchurch-Stouffville will allow off-leash dogs on trails, the remaining forest tracts will keep the on-leash rules implemented during the pandemic, with more enforcement expected.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor expressed excitement about the report and said he frequents the Bendor and Graves tract himself. But he added communities need to have more off-leash dog options, and it is something Newmarket is trying to keep in mind in planning.
“In terms of building complete communities, and in terms of people driving for everything in life, we’re trying to move more in Newmarket, embedding a leash-free dog park in every new and emerging community.”
York Region has studied and surveyed the public on the topic for the past 18 months. It found survey respondents reported negative experiences with off-leash dogs, with 41 per cent indicating issues with dogs not under control. The region changed the rules to require all dogs to be on leashed at the onset of the pandemic (aside from designated areas) to respond to negative incidents coming with increased traffic. That will remain in place outside of the specified tracts.
The region's existing rule that allows dogs to be off-leash if under control by the individuals with them is inconsistent with local municipal animal control bylaws that require dogs to be leashed, commissioner of environmental services Erin Mahoney said in a report. “Off-leash dogs pose a greater risk to forest users, other dogs, and the ecological integrity of the forest when compared to on-leash dogs.”
Mahoney said incidents include a dog fatally biting another dog and a horse spooked by an off-leash dog, among others.
Still, the region explored options on exceptions and found a slight majority wanted off-leash experiences to be maintained, with 57 per cent of survey respondents indicating a desire for an off-leash tract.
Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt said with most tracts located in his municipality, they will need support for their bylaw enforcement.
“There are 11 other tracts (in Whitchurch-Stouffville) that need to be monitored. This is going to be a huge educational piece,” he said. “There are lots of people that have their dogs off-leash on many tracts on a given day.”
Mahoney said the region would fund municipalities for the enforcement. Staff estimated implementing the changes will cost $85,000, with an annual cost of $65,000 for enforcement and communications.
However, some residents wrote to oppose the rules and questioned the survey results. Angela Farr said the proposal would crowd trail users onto the two tracts and limit riding opportunities.
“There is no need for this largely unwanted, expensive and, ultimately, unenforceable rule,” Farr said. “Less confrontational, more collaborative and educational options have been suggested by members of the public. To date, staff have refused to consider them.”
Taylor also expressed concern about crowding and said staff would need to consider another off-leash tract toward the southern end of the region, though is willing to wait a year to review it.
“Especially as we start to police the others a little more aggressively, I think the Bendor and Graves, in particular, is going to get overrun,” Taylor said. “The chance of conflict for dogs increases with the numbers. There is a point where the trails can have too much dog activity.”
Mahoney said that could be explored as part of a future policy review.
The decision will still need to be confirmed at the next council meeting. The changes stand to go into effect May 1.
