DOG PARKS IN BARRIE:  DOG OFF LEASH RECREATION AREA (DOLRA)

Notice Updated June 26, 2009

New DOLRA Locations Being Explored by City of Barrie

NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE: THURSDAY, JUNE 25-2009 FROM 7PM TO 9PM, SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY CENTRE, 205 LAKESHORE DRIVE, BARRIE

The Corporation of the City of Barrie is assessing sites for potential DOLRA locations in Barrie. A DOLRA is defined as an area which has been set aside for residents to exercise their dogs off-leash without being in contravention of municipal by-laws. A DOLRA allows dog owners to exercise and socialize with their animals in a protected environment. The Cty's one existing DOLRA is located in Sunnidale Park adjacent to Highway 400 and west of Bayfield Street (see map below).

A Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the South Shore Community Centre located at 205 Lakeshore Drive to review potential DOLRA locations, to receive comments regarding the proposed sites and to receive suggestions from the public on other suitable sites. Comments collected through the public consultation process will be used to develop recommendations for the Report to Council.

1. PIC Presentation and Background Information

2. Locations for Consideration (Maps in .pdf format)

Allandale Station Park    Assikinack     Barrie Molson Centre Lands    Brock Park     Huronia Buffer      Holly Community Park     Golden Meadow Park

PLEASE NOTE:  RESIDENTS ARE ALSO INVITED TO SUGGEST OTHER LOCATIONS AND IDEAS.

3. Copies of the COMMENT SHEET are available here. Feel free to add extra pages.  Please return comment sheets to the Engineering Department at City Hall located at 70 Collier Street by July 10, 2009, or e-mail to Wendy Loevenmark at wloevenmark@barrie.ca or fax 705-739-4247 in order to be included in the Report to Council. In consideration of comments received, a recommendation will be made to Barrie City Council on the preferred site for a second DOLRA in Barrie.   Further information may be obtained by contacting Wendy Loevenmark at (705) 739-4220 Ext.4743.

The City of Barrie's first designated off-leash area for dog owners is located in a double-gated and fenced section of Sunnidale Park, a popular destination with dog walkers.  The DOLRA is located in a natural, rolling setting with earthen footpaths and is NOT wheelchair accessible.  Parking is available at the Dorian Parker Centre or along Sunnidale Road. 

MAP OF THE DOLRA - Sunnidale Park.  Click here to download ( Adobe pdf).

All dogs must have a current license and rabies vaccination to use the facility.  Dog owners are required to clean up after their pet.  Please report any comments or concerns to the Engineering Department at 739-4207. All dogs must be leashed outside of the DOLRA while in Sunnidale Park as per City of Barrie By-law 88-260.  PIT BULL TYPE DOGS MUST BE LEASHED AND MUZZLED AT ALL TIMES PURSUANT TO THE AMMENDED DOG OWNERS' LIABILITY ACT, R.S.O. 1990.  Leash-free areas are not exempt from the Act. Pit Bull owners are liable to fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 6 months for contraventions. Report unmuzzled or unleashed Pit Bull Type Dogs to City of Barrie By-law Enforcement at 739-4241.

1. This is NOT a supervised facility. People and dogs visiting the DOLRA do so at their own risk.
2. Owners will be held liable for all actions of their dogs.
3. Dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the off-leash area.
4. Owners must be present, with a leash for each dog, and in view of their dog(s) at all times.
5. Aggressive dogs are not permitted in the off-leash area. Owners will be prosecuted and are liable for all damages and injuries subject to the provisions of the Dog Owners Liability Act.
6. Dog licenses must be current and affixed to the dog.
7. Dog feces must be picked up and disposed of by the owner in the receptables provided.
8. No more than two dogs per owner within the DOLRA area.  Unattended dogs that are tied up outside the DOLRA are not permitted.
9. No people-food, breakables, spiked or chain link collars permitted in the off-leash area.
10. DOLRA not recommended for children under the age of 18.  The parent or guardian is advised to closely supervise their children at all times.
11. This park is for the enjoyment of people and their canine pets.  No other animals allowed.

In the event of an incident, please call By-law Enforcement at 739-4241.  For comments, concerns, or to report any damage, please call the Engineering Department 739-4207.

THE LAW AND YOUR PET                    

City of Barrie by-laws regulate the keeping of pets and other animals within the City. Please refer to City of Barrie By-law  260-4.8.0.0.0. Parks for regulations.

Dogs are permitted in non-waterfront parks and on walking paths only in Heritage Park, Allandale Station Park and Centennial Park provided the dog is led on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.  Dogs are permitted to run off-leash in the Sunnidale Dog Off Leash Recreation Area.  Dogs must not be left unattended. The dog must be in the care, control and custody of its owner or guardian at all times.

Except as permitted above, animals of any kind are not permitted in any City park, unless authorized by the City.

No more than two (2) dogs over the age of six (6) months may be kept in any residential, commercial or industrial building in the City of Barrie with the exception of the operation of a licensed kennel for the purpose of breeding or boarding animals, animal hospitals, pet stores or the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter or pound.

City of Barrie by-laws also enable municipal law enforcement officers to deal with any animal deemed to be vicious.

City of Barrie by-laws require that you 'stoop and scoop'.  Please think of your neighbours and friends and clean up after your pets.  (Help keep our parks, yards and city monuments clean.)

Enforcement

The animal control by-laws are enforced by the City of Barrie Municipal Law Enforcement Section. You may contact them by calling 739-4241.  Information regarding veterinary clinics or dog obedience training schools can be obtained by contacting Information Barrie - 728-1010.

DO'S AND DON'TS OF PET CARE

DO'S

• Licence your dog annually with the City of Barrie.
• Be aware of the municipal laws regulating the keeping of your dog and other pets.
• Keep your dog on a leash whenever it is not on your own private property. When dogs are not leashed, they may be exposed to a dangerous situation or may interfere in an unwelcome way with the activities of people.
• Register your pet as a patient and yourself as a client with a veterinarian.
• Spay or neuter your pet.  It will help keep your pet at home.
• Be sure to have your pet checked and vaccinated annually by a qualified veterinarian.
• Feed your pet from its own dishes which should be kept apart from those of the human family.
• Keep your pet clean and well groomed.
• Make the proper arrangments for the care of your pet when you are going on holidays.

DON'TS

• Do not allow your pet to foul buildings, pavements, lawns and gardens or any city parks, fields, etc.
• Do not allow your pet to be noisy and thereby disturb your neighbours.
• Do not leave your pet unattended in a hot vehicle or without a supply of fresh water.
• Do not allow your pet to sleep in your bed.
• Do not take your dog into a food shop.
• Do not allow your dog to be uncontrolled. Train your dog in elementary obedience.

TRAINING TIPS

The care and control of your pet is your responsibility. A well trained dog is a much happier dog than an untrained one.  If you take a little time, you will find that the companionship of an obedient dog will more than repay your efforts.

Dogs were originally pack animals; every pack having a leader.  It is confusing for a dog to be without a leader and through basic

training, your dog will happily accept you in that role.  From this basis, a happy relationship should build up founded on mutual trust and respect.  The dog will be content and the owner satisfied that the animal is not upsetting other members of the community.

The Golden Rules of Obedience Training

• Start training early - your puppy absorbs training more easily before he or she has learned bad habits.
• Teach the six essential exercises (heel, sit, stay, wait, recall and down), one at a time in the correct sequence.
• Always train your dog on the leash.  When you remove the leash you take away the only method of ensuring your dog obeys your command.
• Keep your voice pleasant but firm at all training sessions.  Adjust the tone of voice for the different commands.
• Be consistent with the words of command.  Use the same words and same tone of voice each time you teach that particular exercise.
• Obedience must be immediate.  Never be satisfied with a slow response.
• Remember to praise success.  Withhold praise if your dog fails and try the exercise again.
• Training should be fun - make sessions enjoyable by allowing time for play as well.
• Remember that a grown dog's behaviour reflects the standards his owner is prepared to accept.

LINKS TO MORE USEFUL INFORMATION

Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Barrie - www.ospca.org/barrie/index.html

City of Toronto - www.city.toronto.on.ca/parks/dogs.htm

Listing of Dog Parks for Toronto, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Oakville, and Brampton - www.caninefriends.com

Fun with your Dog -www.dogplay.com