Leashless park gets year-long trial run in Ward 4

Richmond Hill’s first off-leash dog park recently opened to the joy of two- and four-legged residents alike.
 

“It was well received, well attended, everyone was excited,” said Anna Nair, founder of the Richmond Hill K9 Klub, of the park’s opening day.
 

Since 2007, Nair and group have worked to create the facility, situated just north of Gamble Road on Yonge Street in a previously unused space behind Canadian Tire.
 

In addition to double-door-barrier access to the fenced area, the $80,000 park also features seperate zones for small and large dogs. The park is currently being operated on a one-year trial period.
 

“The K9 Klub has to work very hard with the town to make sure that the park is [well] kept and that rules and regulations are followed,” Nair said. “We’re still not out of the woods yet.”
 

Creation of the park faced opposition. The first application to create the space was turned down by council.
 

“I must tell you honestly, I had push back from members of council, saying, in the grand scheme of things, it just wasn’t important enough,” said Coun. Lynn Foster, who has fought for the park. Foster said the efforts of Nair and the community were vital to the park’s creation.
 

“Without their help, I’m not sure I could have convinced members of council,” she said.
 

Both Nair and Foster agree that the benefits of the park extend to more than just the dogs.
 

“It is good for the community to have a place to come together, network and talk together,” Nair said. “It creates a sense of belonging.”
 

“This is about building your community,” Foster said. “The dogs are important, but what’s more important is that people are now meeting their neighbours, and that I think at the end of the day makes for a strong community.”
 

Rick Knight, owner of nearby Global Pet Foods, said the response from customers has been positive.
 

“Everybody thinks it’s a great thing,” Knight said. “There had been no place to go, so the community is really excited to have it.”
 

For Nair, the park is proof of what community efforts can do.
 

“Every time I go there, I almost cry because I never thought it would happen,” Nair said. “The community always comes together for a good cause. It’s a little hard work, but it can be achieved with the proper support and help.”
 

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