Sometime during 2021, I got the bright idea to visit every official dog park in Toronto. It seemed like a good idea during the depths of the covid lockdowns, but it turns out to be a non-trivial endeavour (especially if you decide that a visit only “counts” if your spouse is with you). The city lists over 40 dog parks for the Toronto/East York region alone: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/animals-pets/pets-in-the-city/dog-off-leash-areas/.
Here’s Stan Wadlow dog park, probably the easiest place for us to start. It’s a friendly dog park, although there is no local dog park association for it. There’s no water available, although Stan Wadlow creek is just behind the park and, if you dare, you can take doggo out there for a drink from the creek. Our pup really enjoys the creek water, even if I’m not as keen on it.
I have encountered dog owners who have driven here from Leaside, which is to the north of Stan Wadlow (if you squint). There are a couple other dog parks near Leaside, but I can understand the appeal of Stan Wadlow. The Sunnybrook OLA (Off Leash Area) attracts commercial dog walkers. The Coxwell Ravine OLA (off leash area) is accessible by walking only. The Linkwood Lane OLA is a bit niche in its appeal. I haven’t had a chance to visit Sandy Bruce yet. As a result, you will sometimes find visitors from Leaside. I would expect visitors from the north-west section of East York as well, a relative desert with regards to designated OLA, although perhaps they drive to the south portion of East York instead (an area rich in great OLAs).
This park can be surprisingly pleasant to visit during the summer. There is no tree cover, so it gets too hot. There is no water (even though there is water already piped to the area for the purpose of irrigating the adjacent baseball field). But somehow the atmosphere from the nearby baseball field permeates this dog park during the summer and blesses it with its relaxed countenance. I will admit that on the rare occasion, you do have to watch out for foul balls that make it into the park!
| ground cover | dirt in this picture when we visited, but resurfaced to wood chips in 2022 |
| water | not available (although there is a bottle filling station at the nearby Stan Wadlow clubhouse, as well as the aforementioned creek behind the dog park) |
| dog park association | none, but a facebook page exists: https://www.facebook.com/Stan-Wadlow-Off-Leash-Dogs-Area-456220744477144/ |
| size | medium |
| enclosure | fenced (but some large dogs can jump it, if they are sufficiently trained and motivated) |
| url | https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/421/index.html |
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