A recent decision to overturn a local park's off-leash status could face an appeals process this month, according to city staff.Carol Cormier, of Toronto's People, Dogs and Parks Committee, said she received unofficial notice last week that a loosely organized group called the Annex Dog Owner's Association (ADO) are set to launch an appeal against the decision to rescind Jean Sibelius Square's off-leash license.
"We anticipate the appeal to come in sometime this month, but we haven't seen anything formal yet," she said.
"Basically, we're taking a two-pronged approach to the issue. Firstly, deal with the appeal, then go into more community consultations."
Cormier said city staff recognize the need for off-leash parks in the Annex - since Sibelius Square's new designation took effect on Jan. 1, there is now only one off-leash park in Ward 20 at nearby Vermount Square - so the consultations will be designed to bring parks staff together with community members to look into alternative sites.
"We don't want to overload Vermont Square. (The People Dogs and Parks Committee) was established to take the pressure off parks, not create problems where none exist," she said, noting that no dates have been set for consultations to take place.
Speaking on his own behalf, Patrick Kennedy of the Annex Residents' Association's Sibelius Square Working Group said he's also heard rumours of a forthcoming appeal - but cautioned against assuming that the ADO have much support in the community, even amongst dog owners.
"My sense is that, having already had a prolonged and open debate around this issue, most in the community are looking forward to moving on," he said in an e-mail.
No one from the ADO could be reached for comment as of deadline.