Dogs in the York Regional Forest

What You Said in 2020 (Phase 1)

In Fall 2020, feedback was gathered from almost 2,000 York Region residents and Forest visitors about their experiences with dogs in the Forest. 

See the results in the Managing Dogs in the York Regional Forest Survey: What You Said in 2020 report.

What You Said in 2021 (Phase 2)

In Summer 2021, York Region conducted a survey to share a proposed new rule for dogs in the York Regional Forest, and to collect visitors’ thoughts on three potential options in addition to the proposed new rule. Responses were encouraged from all York Region residents and anyone that might visit the Forest, not just pet owners/caregivers. Feedback was gathered from over 2,200 respondents.

Three virtual Information Sessions were also held, providing the public with an opportunity to learn more about the proposed new rule and potential options and ask questions. Participants were encouraged to complete the survey following each session.

Watch a recording of the June 23 session below or take a look at the presentation slides.

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See the results in the Phase 2 Options for Dogs in the York Regional Forest: What You Said in 2021 report.

About this Project FAQs

What is the rule for dogs in the York Regional Forest?
Effective May 1, 2022, dogs must remain on-leash at all times, in all York Regional Forest tracts, except in designated areas.

The designated off-leash areas are:

• Bendor and Graves Tract (entrances at 17858 McCowan Road and 17689 Kennedy Road in the Town of East Gwillimbury)
• Davis Drive Tract (entrances at 4277 Davis Drive and at 17242 McCowan Road in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville)

There is also an enclosed dog off-leash area at the Bendor and Graves Tract at 17858 McCowan Road in the Town of East Gwillimbury.

Why was the rule updated?
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, dogs were required to be on-leash OR under control. At the onset of the pandemic, this rule was updated to ALL dogs must be leashed at all times.

During development of “It’s in Our Nature: Management Plan for the York Regional Forest 2019 – 2038”, it was recognized that dog walking, in particular off-leash, was increasingly creating challenges for visitors as well as for staff responsible for management and education in the Forest.

In a 2017 Forest use survey conducted by the Region, 55% of all respondents supported having dogs on-leash unless in a designated off-leash area. It was also clear that many others valued the opportunity to walk their dogs off-leash in the Forest. Additional concerns were raised regarding ecological impacts of off-leash dogs in the Forest.

In 2020-2021, the Region undertook an 18-month process to review dog walking practices and options to better balance visitor experience with ecological integrity. The purpose of the project was to develop an approach that:

• Balanced different visitor preferences to ensure the Forest is enjoyable for everyone
• Helped protect sensitive ecological areas in the Forest
• Helped make the Forest safer for all visitors and dogs
• Reduced potential conflicts with educational programming

Upon completion of the process, it was determined that requiring dogs to be on-leash unless in otherwise designated area(s) provides a balanced approach between managing risk, protecting ecological functions, providing a safe and enjoyable visitor experience for all users, and allowing dog walking. The updated rule is consistent with local bylaws and best practice for managing natural areas.

However, by designating two tracts for off-leash dog walking and maintaining the existing enclosed dog off-leash area at the Bendor and Graves Tract, the Region is providing a selection of visitor experiences to meet the desires of residents.

What process was followed to update the rule, and what options were considered?
Public engagement took place between Fall 2020 and Summer 2021, in two phases.

Phase 1
In Fall 2020, feedback was gathered from almost 2,000 York Region residents and Forest visitors about their experiences with dogs in the Forest. The survey found while about one-third of respondents reported no concerns with dogs in either fenced or unfenced parts of the Forest, about two-thirds identified a range of concerns. The top concern, shared by 41% of respondents, was about dogs not being under control. See the results in the Managing Dogs in the York Regional Forest Survey: What You Said in 2020 report.

Phase 2
Following the first phase, the Region conducted extensive research on ecological, legislative and regulatory considerations, and received feedback from external partners including cities and towns in York Region, conservation authorities, and the York Regional Forest Advisory Team. Using this information and results from the Phase 1 survey, the Region proposed an updated rule that dogs must be on-leash at all times, in all tracts, except in designated areas.

In addition to this updated rule, the Region considered three additional options, including tract(s) with no dogs, tract(s) where dogs would be permitted off-leash, and additional fenced dog-off leash area(s) beyond the current one at Bendor and Graves Tract.

Residents were invited to participate in a second survey in June and July 2021, which asked them for their thoughts on these options as well as considerations for implementing these options. The survey was supported by three online Information Sessions open to all residents.

Over 2,200 responses were received with over 95% of respondents indicating they were residents of the Region and approximately 80% were dog owners or caregivers. Analysis of comments showed 28% of respondents supported a return to the pre-pandemic rule of on-leash or under control, while 22% indicated a desire to continue with the pandemic rule of dogs be on-leash at all times. Of the three additional experiences, one to three tracts where dogs would be permitted off-leash had the highest level of support with 57% of respondents indicating high/very high support. About 25% of dog owners/caregivers indicated they would not use an off-leash tract. See the results in the Phase 2 Options for Dogs in the York Regional Forest Survey: What You Said in 2021 report.

On February 24, 2022, York Regional Council approved an amendment to the It’s In Our Nature: Management Plan for the York Regional Forest 2019-2038 to York Regional Council. The amendment states that dogs must remain on-leash at all times, in all Forest tracts, unless in designated areas, and that there will be two tracts where dogs will be permitted off-leash (Bendor and Graves and Davis Drive Tracts). It was not recommended to proceed with no-dog tracts or additional fenced off-leash areas at this time.

The updated rule is effective May 1, 2022. Read the full Council Report, “Amendment to Management Plan for the York Regional Forest – Managing Dogs in the York Regional Forest”.

How will the updated rule be enforced? 
The Region has developed a plan to implement the updated rule effective May 1, 2022.

There will be a short period of transition focused on ensuring visitors are aware of the updated rule. During this time, visitors to the Forest will see new signage, and an increased number of York Regional staff and local by-law officers who will be present to remind visitors of the updated rule. Fines may be issued at the discretion of local by-law officers during this transition period for more serious incidents such as failure to correct behavior, or repeated non-compliance. 

Following this transition period education will continue and there will be increased enforcement to address non-compliance. 

Local by-law officers will also enforce other elements of animal control by-laws including requirements for licensing and will be equipped to apprehend dogs found at large.

What are the rules for on-leash tracts?
The following rules are in place for on-leash tracts:

• Dogs must be on-leash at all times
• Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste
• Stay on established trails with dogs
• Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries or damages 
• Maximum of three dogs per person

What are the rules for off-leash tracts?
The following rules are in place for the off-leash tracts: 

• Dogs must remain in sight and return when called
• Stay on established trails with dogs
• Do not let dogs chase wildlife
• Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste
• Always carry a leash to restrain your dog(s) if necessary
• Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries or damages 
• Maximum of three dogs per person

What are the rules for the enclosed dog off-leash area?
The following rules are in place for the enclosed dog off-leash area:

• Use dog off-leash area at your own risk
• Unlicensed dogs, female dogs in heat, and dogs without current vaccinations are not permitted
• Dogs must remain in sight of their owner and return when called
• Always carry a leash to restrain your dog(s) if necessary
• Maximum of 3 dogs per person 
• Dogs displaying aggressive behaviour or sickness must vacate the property
• Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste 
• Children must be supervised by an adult while inside the dog off-leash area 
• Owners must respect the rights of others at all times
• Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries or damages 

Why did the Region not introduce no-dogs tracts or additional enclosed off-leash areas? 
In addition to exploring designating a few tracts as off-leash, the Region explored the possibility of designating a few tracts where no dogs would be permitted, and also considered adding more enclosed off-leash areas.

While 32% of respondents indicated high/very high support for tracts where dogs would not be permitted (not applicable to service dogs), many neighbours of the Forest expressed concern that this would significantly limit nearby opportunities to walk their dog.

Survey results indicated support for additional enclosed dog off-leash areas with 44% of respondents indicating high/very high support for this type of facility. While there was support for additional enclosed off-leash areas, respondents said they would not visit an enclosed off-leash area more frequently, indicating that the need for this type of facility is currently met with the existing enclosed off-leash area at the Bendor and Graves Tract.

Will the Region explore different options for managing dogs in the Forest in the future? 
The Region will continue to monitor and evaluate the presence of dogs in the Forest and may make adjustments to the updated rule as well as to our education and enforcement protocols as the need arises.

Where can I take my dog off-leash? 
There are two tracts where dogs are permitted to be off-leash as of May 1, 2022:

• Bendor and Graves Tract (entrances at 17858 McCowan Road and 17689 Kennedy Road in the Town of East Gwillimbury)
• Davis Drive Tract (entrances at 4277 Davis Drive and at 17242 McCowan Road in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville)

There is also an enclosed dog off-leash area at the Bendor and Graves Tract at 17858 McCowan Road in the Town of East Gwillimbury.

Additional designated dog off-leash areas may be open in your community or in a nearby city or town. We encourage you to check your city or town website or contact their parks department for more information.

Are the off-leash tracts enclosed? 
No, these tracts are not fully fenced or secured in any way. Visitors should use them at their own risk.

Will you be designating more tracts as off-leash?
The Region will monitor off-leash use at the Bendor and Graves and Davis Drive Tracts over the next 12 months to determine demand for an additional off-leash tract. Should use levels warrant designating an additional tract, staff will select one based on anticipated level of use, parking availability, location and ecological impact.

I came across an aggressive dog off-leash. Who do I file a complaint with?
Complaints can be filed with the Region through Access York by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 1-877-464-9675. If you have any information that would facilitate identification of the aggressive dog and/or their owner, such as a vehicle description or license plate number, or a regular time and location that the dog and their owner may be encountered, please include it in your complaint.

Where can I go with no dogs?
All York Regional Forest tracts allow dogs so dogs may be encountered at any tract.

Where can I take my dog for a swim?
Water features (e.g. ponds and creeks) within the York Regional Forest are sensitive ecological areas that provide important habitat for fish and other wildlife including habitat for sensitive species and species at risk. Therefore, we discourage the use of any water features in the York Regional Forest for dog play or swimming. Please note that all visitors and dogs are expected to stay on the trails to respect the ecological sensitivities of those areas, and keep dogs leashed at all times.

How many dogs are you allowed to bring in the forest at once?
There is a maximum of three dogs allowed in the Forest per person. 

At the dog off-leash area at the Bendor and Graves Tract (17858 McCowan Road, Town of East Gwillimbury), there is also a maximum of three dogs per person allowed at a time.

How do I dispose of my pet waste?
Garbage, including bagged pet waste, must be collected and placed in the garbage cans located in parking lots and at main entrances which are emptied on a regular basis.

Why does the Region not provide green bins for the disposal of pet waste? 
At this point the Region does not provide green bins for disposal of pet waste in the Forest. Alternative approaches to pet waste disposal may be considered in the future.