City of Toronto reopening off-leash dog areas

The City of Toronto reopened its more than 70 off-leash dog areas on Tuesday.

Those using the parks are still expected to practice physical distancing and signage is being installed to remind dog owners to do so to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

In a release, the City of Toronto said “people must always stay two metres (six feet), or the length of three dogs, apart while visiting the City’s parks and dog off-leash areas.”

Toronto reported an additional 263 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to 8,866. A total of 690 people have died and over 6,600 people have recovered.

All park amenities were closed in March shortly before a provincial emergency was declared in Ontario.

Off-leash areas are part of the province’s first phase of reopening certain public facilities. More details on what other amenities are included in this first stage are expected in the coming days.

Provincial officials confirmed Tuesday that outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, fitness equipment, public swimming pools, splash pads and other outdoor water facilities will remain closed for now.

The city says its COVID-19 Enforcement Team will continue to monitor popular parks across the city and enforcement of the physical distancing bylaw and the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders will continue.

For a list of locations of the city’s off-leash dog areas, click here.

Great news! @CityofToronto off-leash dog areas are now permitted to open. @TorontoPFR staff are opening off-leash dog areas across Toronto right now. pic.twitter.com/M96LdHrmWO

— John Tory (@JohnTory) May 19, 2020