Dogs allowed off-leash on beaches

Pooches will permitted off lead at Kew-Balmy and Woodbine beaches
This trial run will be only during winter months and needs city approval
Parks committee approved compromise today
By Kris Scheuer
(Originally written Oct. 15 for Town Crier.)

Chris Yaccato, left, with Boo and Diane McConnell with Callie asked the city for a compromise policy for dogs on the beach.

After a battle with the city, a compromise has been struck to allow dogs on beaches in the winter months.
Councillor Sandra Bussin hashed out a compromise that was endorsed unanimously at the Parks and Environment Committee on Oct. 15.
For two beaches at Woodbine and Kew-Balmy, dog owners will be allowed to let their pooches run free off-leash between Nov. 1 to March 31 for a trail run.
In the summer, the dogs won’t be allowed on these beaches either on or off a lead but instead will be relegated to existing nearby off-leash dog parks at Silverbirch and Kew Gardens.

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Beach water safe for swimming Aug 16

Water tests show positive results at ten Toronto beaches
Marie Curtis the only beach unsafe to swim today: city
By Kris Scheuer

I went for a 3.5 hour walk in the hot sun today that took me right down to Sunnyside Beach.
It is one of eleven beaches the city tests daily and results posted today show it was safe for splashing about.
I saw lot of people tanning on the beach, on the grass in the park and also cooling off in the lake water at Sunnyside. Not only were they in the beach water, but kids were at the splash pad and the outdoor pool was packed.
I did not make it to the other beaches today, but I am sure people were having just as much fun at them.

Toronto beaches unsafe to swim

City water tests reveal four city beaches temporarily contain too much E.coli
Sunnyside, Woodbine, Balmy, Bluffer’s beaches are risky for swims today: city
By Kris Scheuer

Swimmer dives in at Woodbine Beach. Photo by Kris Scheuer/Town Crier.

The good news is Cherry Beach is totally safe for a splashing in, according to the July 24 test results by the water department.
Unfortunately, that is the only Toronto beach with safe levels of E.coli posted today.
The city recommends against swimming at Sunnyside, Woodbine, Kew-Balmy and Bluffer’s due to high levels of E.coli detected in beach water.
So Torontonians and visitors, would you swim at any of the city’s beaches?
Have your say, are our beaches swim worthy or not?