No off-leash for Victoria Square pups

By Anthony Marcusa –

Just as the words left his mouth lamenting the irresponsibility of some dog owners and park-goers, councilor Adam Vaughan paused to watch what looked liked a Boston Terrier race untethered across the delicate soil on Victoria Memorial Square.

“We need to create awareness amongst dog owners that this is sacred territory and a consciousness about how to use it,” said Vaughan, pointing out a former patch of grass that had been destroyed by dogs.

The councilor met with concerned residents at the park on May 24 to figure out how keep the park safe from destruction—but the issue runs deeper than just simply arguing over off-leash dogs.

Bounded by streets Niagara, Portland, and Wellington, and located few blocks northeast of Fort York, Victoria Memorial Square is both one of the earliest public parks in the city, as well as Toronto’s first military cemetery. While the area inside the diagonal stone rectangle at the park is the graveyard, there is thought to be mass burials and other tombs elsewhere close by.

A lack of awareness, however, is contributing to its disrepair and potential ruin down the road. The grass and soil are particularly delicate in the area, and the graves made centuries ago are but mere feet below the surface. Weather during the early spring makes the park a swamp and the soil vulnerable to those who use it, and while there is a stone path to identify the area, it is difficult to conceive of any other adornment or barricade that would be presentable but also not disrupt the graves.

“This park is special,” added Vaughan. “It has physical challenges, it has historical challenges—it just has to be treated differently.”

The issue of dogs is a divisive one. While some want dogs under control and note that there are several off-leash parks within walking distance, other residents feel strongly that the animals can be free. There was only dismay for some when residents were told the park, designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, could not be given off-leash status.

One gentleman—who claimed privately that he did not have a dog—left immediately upon hearing the news the ban could not be overturned.

“He is one of the people that always lets his dog off-leash,” whispered one woman in attendance.

Still, the argument isn’t about dogs, it’s about responsibly using a park that can easily be destroyed due to improper drainage and a plethora of graves resting just below the surface. Vaughan stressed a two-fold approach: the first step is creating a consciousness about the respect the park needs; the second requires self-enforcement among community members.

Meg Morden of 550 Front St. W. opts to walk her dog around the outside of the marked gravesite, but believes the area should be accessible to everyone provided they are responsible and keep dogs properly restrained.

“We need to have awareness about the nature of the park and the time of year it can be used,” said Morden. “If there is enough critical interaction, self enforcement, and continuing education, we will all be helped.”

Vaughan agreed that awareness is a keep factor in saving the park. “We need to tweak the signage and carry on a flyer campaign to get condo associations on board to reinforce the idea that the park needs special care.” Attendees vowed to create and pass out flyers at residential meetings, while one specific resident said he would “take out ad space in the paper if that’s what it takes.” As for the park itself, there are plans to unveil a new lighting system that looks to be quite “dramatic,” a task not easily accomplished due to the delicate soil.

When people understand that this is a delicate graveyard, Vaughan added, “they tend to see that a legitimate reason and go to other off-leash areas.”

Still, a dog running free whilst Mr. Vaughan was talking was not the only moment of tragic irony that befell the event. 50 Portland St. resident Mark Hutton and his friend were on the other side of the park practicing their golf swings, when one resident informed them of the nature of the site.

“I knew that there was something to this park,” said Hutton. “But it’s a park, and people should be allowed to use it as they please.”

As plans for more off-leash dog parks in the area come to fruition, vigilant Wellington Place residents plan to patrol their famed square.

“There is going to have to be self-enforcement,” added Morden. “Peer pressure has helped in the past, and we’re going to have to keep informing people about the park when they visit.