Living in the big city often means sacrificing having a back yard, and some dog owners enjoy hanging out with other doggy-minded people. Nearly every neighbourhood in Toronto has an off-leash dog park, where dogs and their people can frolic and fight and try to hump each other. Here, in no particular order, are ten highly-rated dog parks around town; is yours on the list? If not, should it be?
· List of Off-Leash Dog Parks [City of Toronto]
· Off-Leash Dogs Parks in Toronto [BringFido.com]
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Mapping Toronto's 11 Best Dog Parks
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High Park Offleash Dog Trail
[Photo via flickr]
Acres of trails and partially-fenced dog runs. Running water for thirsty pups. BYOBags.
Sherwood Off-leash Dog Park
[Photo via Lisa Carson]
Big, pretty park in a ravine, with a fenced dog trail. A little less-known than most. Fountains, too, though those are often out of order.
Cherry Beach Off-Leash Dog Area
[Photo via flickr/emadman]
One of the most popular dog spots in the city. Wide beachfront offleash area, decent parking, not as crowded as the Beaches proper.
Riverdale Park West
[Photo via flickr/agsaran]
Riverdale Parks West and East are equally popular, with Cabbagetown dogs hanging out the West side and Riverdale mutts on the East. Someone should write a musical about them.
Riverdale Park East
[Photo via flickr/agsaran]
Riverdale Parks West and East are equally popular, with Cabbagetown dogs hanging out the West side and Riverdale mutts on the East. Someone should write a musical about them.
The Don Valley Brick Works Park
[Photo via flickr/christhegirl]
Though not technically an off-leash park, this is still a fantastic spot for hiking with your leashed dog. There's a small fenced off-leash area near the parking lot.
Trinity Bellwoods Dog Park - The Bowl
[Photo via flickr/crystalluxmore]
The T-B Dog Bowl is both the leash-free area and the site of the summertime Dog Bowl Movie Nights.
Bickford Park
[Photo via flickr/jonhayes]
Like Christie Pits, Bickford Park sits in a sheltered bowl that makes it easier to keep an eye on your pup. Great for tobogganing, too.
Kew Beach Off Leash Dog Park
[Photo via flickr/vistadome]
In summer, unleashed dogs have to stay above the beach fence. In winter, they have free run of the beach!
Withrow Park Off Leash Dog Park
[Photo via flickr/anutkak43]
A good-sized park that uses logs and bushes to mark the off-leash area.
Allan Gardens Dog Park
[Photo via flickr/mmmighty_atom]
Not the biggest or greenest, but Allan Gardens gets mention because of its huge, weird, acid-dream sculptures. It's also got a separate section for smaller dogs, so your Yorkie won't be intimidated by some bossy Mastiff.
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