We have just been updated by parks and capital projects to the status of C & G. After some delays caused by contract problems with the contractor hired to work at C & G we are finally going to see some movement soon! The new fencing should be finished by the end of next week! Hurray!
In the meantime Greenwood’s new larger area is now completed and Hideaway’s small area is finished so we can use those safely until the fencing and new gates are finished at C & G.
However it’s worth mentioning that the park will not be fully complete until the spring when the temperatures will allow the asphalt work to be done on the path, our new benches to be installed and the tree protection surfacing material to be added throughout the area.
Thanks for hanging in there!
Fencing Update:
Our trusty Parks Supervisor has confirmed that construction of our new fencing and double gates at Carlaw and Gerrard Parkette will begin on November 2nd, 2009.
Signage will be posted directing users to other parks - sadly we have just heard that the closest off leash parks to us - Hideaway and Greenwood - will also be under construction at the same time. However Withrow, Monarch, Cherry Beach, Kew Beach and Silverbirch will still be open during this time.
Sorry for this inconvenience - but these new safer gates and fencing will be well worth it in the end. Parks hopes construction will be done in early December - we will keep you posted!
Lighting/Safety Concerns:
Several work orders have also been submitted to have the lighting fixed - it has not been working for several months and as it is getting darker earlier and earlier several park users have spoken to us about not feeling safe and we hope the lighting will get fixed ASAP. If you are concerned please call the new 311 service and log that the lights need to be fixed. The more complaints on file the better!
It was news to us but thanks for to the dog lover who sent along the link! The Weather Network now has a Dog Park Report and C and G is listed (under G for Gerrard and Carlaw Parkette - can’t win em’ all but we’ll take what we can get!).
Click the link and bookmark the site - then you’ll be able to check the weather for the park before heading out.
click the link for the Dog Park Report for C and G!
Through the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation BULBS (Better Urban Landscapes through Bulbs) program we have secured another 750 bulbs!
Last fall volunteers planted 1000 bulbs along the outside of the fence running along Gerrard - what a lovely sight they were last spring - now we have enough to finish the outside of the fence on the Carlaw side.
We will be picking up the bulbs at the end of next week and are looking for volunteers to help plant them on Saturday October 3rd OR Sunday October 4th in the afternoon.
If you are interested please email: info@candgleashfree.com with your preferred date in the subject line and we’ll get back to you.
There will be hot chocolate and timbits for those that help!
Click the Logo for more information, schedule etc!
This new TV spot for ParticipAction is excellent!
While it may seem all is quiet on the western front we have some important updates about Carlaw and Gerrard that we are happy to share:
1. Permanent Fencing, Gates
Early in the spring we met with our trusty Parks Supervisor to discuss permanent fencing and a gates system for the park. The good news is that we will be getting black fencing and a double gates system (similar to parks like Sir Winston Churchill at Spadina Road and St. Clair). We are very pleased! Double gates are wonderful as far as safety goes - it’s important to have that backup as we are located at a busy intersection. Double gates will also allow users to have a calming area where they can unleash/leash their dog and control the entrances and exits of their pets so that dogs enter the park calmly (and aren’t rushed by dogs the moment they arrive).
The city has put out a tender for the fencing (along with fencing for 19 other dog parks around the city - including Greenwood) and we are told that this process takes between 6 and 8 weeks.
After the tendering process, work orders for completing the fencing will be issued and we will have a better idea of when we are scheduled to have this work done. We will keep you updated here.
Also as the entrances get quite muddy in the fall and spring we will be getting crushed granite or similar (NOT cedar chips or mulch - we have been told they hold the smell of pee and granite or similar rinses clean in the rain and is less stinky) inside the double gate/calming areas which will hopefully keep the entrances neater.
2. Community Garden
Thanks so much to the volunteers who put in the bulbs along the north fence line last fall - they were a wonderful sight this spring. Morning Glory, Cosmo and Hollyhock seeds have been sprinkled along the east fence and the back fence running along the car lot. Hopefully we will see some gorgeous blooms later in the season and they will help hide the cars from view. More seeds are always welcomed if you would like to sprinkle your own or donate them.
The community garden area in the back south east corner of the park should be fenced off with snow fencing and a gate later this month. Parks will also be dropping off compost, soil and hopefully mulch. We are in discussions with local retailers about getting supplies donated to build raised garden beds. Soil tests done in the fall were not great and if we would like to plant edibles it has been recommended we build up.
You will notice 3 trees (2 in the park and one just outside the north fence along Gerrard) have been marked for removal with orange spray paint - we are hoping this will allow more light into the grassy area and allow the grass to grow in thicker than before. We will post notice when we know when this work will happen.
3. Water
There is a fountain just outside the fencing at the corner of Gerrard and Carlaw by the TTC shelter - for the time being until we can get a doggie fountain you can fill up travel bowls there for your pet.
We realize some of this is taking longer than originally expected but please know everyone is working really hard to make things happen and our Parks Supervisor is truly a wonderful advocate for C and G Leash Free!
As always feedback/suggestions and comments are welcome - please do not hesitate to contact us by email at info@candgleashfree.com
Example of raised garden beds for growing toxin free edibles!
Fantastic double gates and calming areas at Winston Churchill off leash
While we have been blessed with some fine warm weather it has revealed a lot of poop! We implore you to please please pick up after your dogs. We realize with it getting dark so early in the evenings it can be hard so please keep a closer eye and thankfully day light savings time is just around the corner!
On a lighter note check out this funny poop bag holder from a dog park in Prague - the translation reads “so your dog doesn’t have to be embarassed!” Many thanks to Meredith Dundas for sharing the picture from her recent vacation!
Hello everyone!
We recently received a request from a neighbour who works for Animal Services and thought we would post it here to try and get as much response as possible.
James is a proud leslievillian but also the vet tech/dog attendant at Toronto Animal Services south working with dogs at their 140 Princes blvd location (horse palace on the ex-grounds). He has asked that we post that they are in desperate need of towels, blankets and bedding for the dogs.
They have had an influx of dogs who love to shred blankets to nest. It gives the dogs some small comfort in helping them deal with shelter life.
If you have donations you can contact:
James
Toronto Animal Services
140 Princes Blvd
416-338-6668
They are open seven days a week 10:30 am to 6:30 pm should you want to drop off bedding. They also will take donations of any other un-wanted dog/cat or small domestic pet items (bowls, toys, crates, cages etc).
