There are plenty of ways to celebrate the last true month of summer and not all of them involve a cottage in the Muskokas. If you’re tied to the city thanks to work, family obligations, finances or some other bond, know that there is a wide variety of fun and entertainment on tap this month thanks to the city’s line-up of outdoor festivals.

Let’s take a look:

Habari Africa Festival (Aug 14-16, 2015)

Harbourfront Centre presents this mix of arts and culture in partnership with the Batuki Music Society. Celebrate the diversity of African culture with the finest talent from across the continent. Music, film, dance, visual arts are on tap or you can create crafts and join workshops.

York-Eglinton International Street Festival (Aug 15-16, 2015)

This family-friendly festival kicks off Friday August 14 with a sidewalk sale followed by two full days of food, music and merriment that celebrates a range of international cultures including Caribbean, Italian, Portuguese and Latin.

 Rastafest (Aug 14-22, 2015)

A multi-discipline festival showcasing different aspects of the Rastafarian culture, history and lifestyle, including international reggae artists who will perform at a major concert in Downsview Park. Activities include music, dance, drumming, market place and food demonstrations.

 Wheels on the Danforth (Aug 15, 2015)

A car show like no other, this “on-the-street” event is a judged car show featuring classics, exotics, tuners, muscle cars, hot rods, and motorcycles all lined up on the closed section of Danforth Ave. Highlights of the day include a market place, food trucks, a Kid’s Zone play area, beer gardens and street dance.

Festival of South Asia  (Aug 15-16, 2015)

On Gerrard Street East experience a taste of South Asia thanks to the food, dance, fashions and real-deal cultural events that showcase the Indian, Afghani, Pakistani, Bengali and Sri Lankan cultures.

Open Streets TO  (Aug 16 & Sept 6, 2015)

This event opens streets to people and prevent cars from driving on roads for a few hours during this festival that takes place over two days. The result is paved parks for pedestrians. The route for this year’s event will be Bloor Street between Christie and Parliament and on Yonge Street from Bloor to Queen. Crossing points will be included at numerous major intersections, where cars will be permitted to pass through as normal.

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)  (Aug 21-Sept 7, 2015)

This grand dame of summer festivals is a classic. Once you’ve paid the entrance fee, all entertainment is free. But in order to go on the amusement rides, you must either purchase single ride tickets or a pass. Don’t forget to check The Ex’s line-up of performers, shows and special events.

BIG On Bloor Festival (Aug 22-23, 2015)

BIG ON BLOOR celebrates arts, culture, community and small business with this event featuring numerous activities and exhibitions such as a huge market place of vendors, a mix of music and dance, artist-friendly events and games for big and small.

Toronto Chinatown Festival (Aug 22-23, 2015)

Held on Dundas Street West (between Spadina and Beverley) as well as on Huron Street (between D’Arcy Street and Dundas), this festival showcases a mixture of Chinese cultural events including Lion Dance, Kung Fu Performances, Chinese street food, traditional Chinese arts and crafts.

Wild Blueberry Festival (Aug 23, 2015)

All things blueberry might be a nickname for this festival, hosted by Evergreen Brick Works, in which the blueberry is eaten, exalted and examined up close and personal. From workshops to storytelling to pie baking and guest blueberry vendors, there truly is something for everyone at this family event.

Coconut Festival Canada (Aug 23, 2015)

At David Pecaut Square, the event is for foodies and the culinary adventurous as hundreds of products from coco jams to full meals will be presented by a diverse lineup of vendors. Also look for artisan jewelry, clothing and housewares in addition to music and kiddy games.

Scotiabank Buskerfest (Aug 27-30, 2015)

The festival is a showcase for over 100 of the most remarkable street performers on earth. Look for the unusual at this four-day street show in which buskers perform antics that will inspire, wow and tickle your funny bone. Scotiabank Buskerfest is produced by Epilepsy Toronto as a fundraiser in support of people with epilepsy and their families. Proceeds collected at the festival will go towards Epilepsy Toronto.

Cool off in One of the City’s Public Pools:

Living in the city doesn’t have to be an exercise in heat exhaustion come the summer months.  You can always make your way to your neighbourhood public pool to cool off. Here’s a look at some great community pools:

Alex Duff Memorial Pool

Located at the edge of Christie Pits Park, the pool features a 25-metre lap pool, shallow splash pool for children, warm conversation pool, a deep pool for diving with a one metre spring board and a two storey water slide. The pool has an access ramp for those who require easy access.

High Park

Located near the baseball diamonds, the outdoor swimming pool is open all week until Labour Day. Swim laps from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and 7 to 8 p.m. the rest of the week. A leisure swim is set for noon to 3:45 p.m. and 5 to 6:45 p.m. During super hot weather the pool may be open later but call first before making the trip. A wading pool is available for children under 12 from Saturday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Trinity Community Recreation Centre

Nestled in Trinity Bellwoods Park, located West of Bathurst Street and just North of Queen Street, Trinity Community Recreation Centre offers a 25-yard, three-lane indoor pool and different swimming programs for all age groups.

Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre

Located in the Riverside/Leslieville area, this centre has two pools, a large 25-metre pool and a smaller toddler pool. A wide range of programs are available, including leisure swimming, seniors only leisure swimming, lane swims, aqua fit programs and swim lessons.

North Toronto Memorial Community Centre

Located on Eglinton Avenue between Yonge and Avenue Road, the centre has indoor and outdoor pools, offering a large assortment of classes, including adult swim, bronze cross, and preschool swims.

Joseph J. Piccininni Community Centre

Located on St. Clair Ave. West, this pool features one of the city’s largest swimming facilities. Swimming lessons, adult lane swims, aqua fit classes, leisure swims, leadership courses, sports and female only swims are available as well as programs for preschoolers to seniors.

Mary McCormick Recreation Centre

Located at Dufferin and Dundas, the Mary McCormick indoor pool is part of a fitness centre that includes a 25-metre pool offering leisure and instructional swims. The fitness facility also includes cardio, free weights, and Nautilus equipment.

Leaside Gardens Swimming Pool – Indoor Pool

Located in the neighborhood of Leaside, this pool has a wheel chair accessible lift and elevator to the pool area and a multi-access change room. Leaside offers instructional swim lessons for all ages as well as recreation swim times.

A two-year stint at a prestigious post-secondary business school in combination with a handful of sales positions led Rob Sadeghi to direct his education and interest into a career in real estate.

As one of Freeman Real Estate’s newest realtors, Sadeghi is looking ahead to growing his clients and he’s confident that Freeman is the place to do it.

“One of the things I liked about Freeman right away is that everyone from the top down is willing to help me out,” says the 25-year-old. “That, for me, makes the whole experience both easy and really exciting.”

Sadeghi researched a number of firms, including big-names franchises, but decided he liked the look and feel of Freeman, which stands out for its unique tight-knit family environment.

“I did not want to be another number and I knew Freeman would be the right fit,” he says. “I had a chance to sit down and chat with the owners and I really like their style, very laid back and easy going. For me, it was a great first impression.”

Born in Ottawa, Sadeghi is used to being the new kid on the block thanks to carpetbagger mother who moved Sadeghi to Germany when he was just a baby and who travelled to every country in Europe in the 11 years he lived abroad. While Sadeghi has seen more European towns and cities than most people his age, his favourites were Niece and Cologne thanks to the beautiful beaches in the former and the laid-back lifestyle in the latter.

He’s obviously inherited his mother’s adventurous spirit as he speaks German, Farsi, English and is currently learning Spanish simply because he enjoys the sound of the language.

Sadeghi studied business at York University for two years before deciding books and theories weren’t his cup of tea, at least where the business world is concerned. A former online sales rep for an internet vacation rental company and having previously sold prefab steel structures, he thought he’d make the move to real estate since the prospect of walking people through the biggest purchase they’ll ever make was appealing to him.

An avid athlete, Sadeghi loves boxing, football and hockey. He also likes to socialize and meet new people. An enthusiastic reader, Sadeghi enjoys everything from Time magazine to autobiographies about Michael Jordan and Martin Luther King to self-help books and non-fiction.

As a younger generation realtor, he uses social media platforms whenever he can to network. His next plan of attack is to start a door-to-door campaign to introduce himself to the neighbourhood and to explain to homeowners what he can do for them.

“There’s obviously lot of competition and you have to weed yourself out and show people why they need to work with you.”

Summer in the city means plenty of exciting festivals and events showcasing everything from athletes and jazz music to gelato, movies and dance. Here’s a look at what July has to offer:

Summerlicious

This July-long yum-fest featuring Toronto restaurants allows you to sample diverse and innovative cuisine at a fraction of the regular cost thanks to prix-fixe menus. See here for more info about participating restaurants.

Toronto Fringe Festival

Running until July 12, this event is a potpourri of odd, inspiring and poignant performances that can centre on everything from Shakespeare to Oreo cookies. This year’s line-up boasts over 60 comedy shows, 14 dance and physical theatre shows, 30 dramas, 13 musicals, 20 national and 12 international companies hailing from around the globe. For details, click here .

Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games

Cheer on your fave aspiring Olympian as the best athletes from 41 countries and territories compete. Tickets start at just $20. Get your tickets here.

Beaches International Jazz Festival

From July 10 to 26, groove to a kaleidoscope of cool musicians in this 27^th annual event featuring four stages of international talent. See website for more info.

Toronto Summer Music Festival

Marking its tenth year, this international classical music festival and academy brings world-renowned performing artists to Toronto for an unparalleled combination of concerts, guest lectures and master classes. See website for more information.

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival

Three weeks of Caribbean music, cuisine, visual and performing arts and revelry are up for grabs this month at this international event, the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. For more information, click here.

Open Roof Festival

This not for profit, outdoor music and film festival highlights independent filmmakers and artists from Canada and around the world. Profits go to Canada’s independent film production and music communities. For details, click here.

Play the Parks

From June to September the Yonge BIA is offering a free concert series and wellness program. Various downtown parks such as Trinity Park and College Park Courtyard offer an array of musical performers during various times. Click here for more.

Christie Pits Film Festival

Sundays at sunset is the date and time to take in this year’s theme of films about great villains. Enjoy classics such as Nosferatu, The Birds and There Will Be Blood. There’s nothing like an al fresco film to celebrate summer. For more information, see website.

Sunday Serenades

Running every Sunday until August 16, is big band, jazz and swing acts at Mel Lastman Square from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. For details, click here.

BrazilFest

To experience the rhythms, sights, sounds and delicious aromas of Brazil be sure to check out this 12^th annual event on July 19 at Earlscourt Park. Go to website for more.

Pan American Food Festival

if you enjoy the culture and flavours of the Americas – North, South, Central and the Caribbean – this one’s for you. The free event takes place from July 30 to August 3 at Daniels Spectrum in Regent Park. See Pan American Food Festival for info.

When you look at the list of community events, festivals, parades and general merriment descending upon Toronto this June, it’s understandable that you might feel a bit tired already. With so much to do and so little time, we’d better get started:

Luminato:

When?: June 19 to 28

This annual 10-day celebration of the arts features talks, dance, art, music, song, film, food and theatre. Look for talks by Nelly Furtado, cabaret acts and so much more. Click here for details.

Ontario Craft Beer Week

When?: June 12 to 21

Marks this province-wide craft beer celebration. OCB Week is designed to expose consumers to the craft beer experience through tasting events, brewery tours, meet the brew master events, cooking demonstrations and more. For more information, click here.

Pride Parade

When?: June 19 to 28

This is when the Toronto Pride Festival takes place. Capping off the nine-day celebration is the world’s largest pride parade on Sunday June 28. Click here for more details.

Toronto Ribfest

When?: June 27 to July 1

Rotary Etobicoke invites you to kick off your summer at its 16th annual Toronto Ribfest. With two stages of entertainment, a free KidzZone and Toronto’s largest mobile midway it’s no wonder the festival makes the Top 100 list for Ontario festivals and events. Click here for details.

Live in Bellwoods: Great Heart Festival

When?: June 18 to 21

Trinity Bellwoods is hosting its annual Great Heart Festival for the sixth year. Featuring a lengthy list of unplugged performances, be there or be square. Click here for more details.

Toronto Jazz Festival

When?: June 18 to 29 

Here are a few performances that don’t require tickets. June 19 features three separate performances open to the public: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Dumpstaphunk, and Morris Day & The Time. Check out the full calendar here.

Symphony in the Gardens at Casa Loma

When?: Every Tuesday evening beginning June 9 to August 25.

Starring the Toronto Concert Orchestra, this weekly event features the works of Edith Piaf, Mozart, movie scores and so much more. For more info click here.

Summer Music in the Park

When?: Fridays, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Saturdays and statutory holidays, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm, from June 5 to September 12 (weather permitting) at the Village of Yorkville Park – Check out the line-up here.

Scotiabank CHIN Picnic

When?: June 19 to 21

Join the more than 250,000 picnickers who head down to College Street for this, the largest free multicultural festival going. Click here for more details.

Junction Summer Festival

When?: June 20

Put on by the Junction’s BIA, this summer solstice festival marries commerce with art installations, pageantry with live music and street food with buskers. For more information, click here.

Indigenous Arts Festival

When?: June 18 to 20

At historic Fort York celebrate traditional and contemporary music, dance, theatre, storytelling, spoken word, visual arts, crafts, and food created by indigenous artists. Click here for details.

Taste of Little Italy 

When?: June 19 to 21

Check out College Street between Bathurst and Shaw for this 16^th annual event that features Italian music, food and so much more. Visit here for more details.

Battle of Black Creek

When?: June 20 & 21

Over one hundred soldiers set up camp for this colourful Revolutionary War re-enactment with a full scale battle. Kids will love the rubber band shooting gallery and the excitement of the encampments and demonstrations.  Click here for more details.

Traditional Outdoor Pow Wow

When?: June 21

Na-Ma-Res (Native Men’s Residence) holds its annual Pow-Wow to recognize National Aboriginal Day, June 21st, the Summer Solstice. The event is free, open to the public and features traditional dancing, drumming, feasts, giveaways, and children’s activities. For more information, click here.

Eco-Art-Fest

When?: June 18

This festival runs for three months over the summer and features multiple installations that express the creativity of the artist while drawing attention to important issues affecting the environment. This show will also feature a number of performance art pieces that narrate the history of Todmorden Mills and the surrounding area. Click here for more details.

It’s real dance performed by residents in open spaces to audiences that number as many as 400. In its fourth year, Porch View Dances returns to Seaton Village this summer offering spectators a rare and delightful celebration of the neighbourhood and engaging “real people in real time in real spaces.”

Freeman Real Estate is proud to be a gold sponsor of Porch View Dances, the brainchild of Karen and Allen Kaeja, owners and operators of Kaeja d’Dance, a 25-year-old contemporary dance company that performs, tours and teaches.

“Events like Porch View Dances are unique and uplifting,” says Elden Freeman, president of Freeman Real Estate. “Not only does it serve to edify the residents of our neighbourhood but it inspires and promotes community engagement.”

Kaeja d’Dance has always been interested in community engagement and promoting people’s interest in the world of dance and it capability to tell a story. The concept for Porch View came about during a meeting in which the dance studio director wondered what it would be like if the neighbour she could see out her window in Seaton Village danced down the street to tell a story.

“The first Porch View Dance simply blew up,” says Shana Hillman, general manager at Kaeja d’Dance. “We thought there might be 30 or 40 people and we got 400 people each night. We also got a lot of press and it’s become so big and crazy.”

The event pairs professional choreographers with families and they create a dance and the audience is led through the neighbourhood with a guide, who shares anecdotes and tales about the area. Performances always conclude in Vermont Square Park, where the audience is led in an inclusive Flock Landing finale that looks like tai chi set to music.

The event has garnered so much attention that organizers now need to apply for a parade permit since spectators are coming from all over the city to see it, says Hillman.

Porch View Dances this year will involve three families. Performances run from August 19 to 23.

“The feedback we’re hearing from our families is that with everyone being so busy it’s a pleasure to have dedicated time with other family members to create something,” says Hillman. “A family last year was having a difficult time with their 13-year-old daughter and after being involved in Porch View Dances she’s taken on more of a leadership role and has a newfound sense of confidence.”

Porch View Dances has won a number of awards and recently received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, allowing the dance company to spend the next three years taking Porch View Dances to three other communities around the province. Organizers are heading to Ottawa’s Westboro neighbourhood this month to mount a Porch View Dances as part of the Canada Dance Festival June 11-13.

“This has been a game-changer for us,” says Hillman. “Exposing the public to ‘dance by accident’, inspired us to increase our footprints in communities where the creation is shared with the participants and the audience is essential to the experience.”

Kaeja d’Dance hopes to help blur the line between art and the public by going beyond exposing new audiences to dance by involving all ages and abilities as performers to make for a more dynamic and vibrant city, while building people’s curiosity and trust in an experiential and meaningful way, to be engaged with the arts.

Click here to see some homes for sale in this area!

Get your party hats on this Saturday as Dundas West rolls out the red carpet for a celebration of arts, community and all that is local.

Whether young or old, into sports or fashion, fitness or music, the Dundas West Fest is a fun family friendly event that takes place on June 6 and spans about 12 city blocks from Landsdowne to Ossington. Sponsored by the Dundas West BIA and the Little Portugal BIA, expect to find good eats and treats, lively music, and a whole host of vendors selling arts and crafts and loads more.

The festival will include more than 40 patios, six areas for buskers, three main stages and shopping to your heart’s content with over 200 different vendors. Foodies will delight as the festival features options for every taste and budget.

To make organization a little simpler, the festival is divvied up into zones, from 1 to 4. Naturally, with an event such as this entertainment of all kinds abounds.

Look for a free African drumming workshop in Zone 1 starting at 10 am at the West Stage. There is plenty of kiddy fun here with full-fledged all-kid bands to acapella groups, singer-songwriters and even some theatre and dance. But by late afternoon the West Stage bursts into adulthood with performances by the legendary local rocker and MP Andrew Cash, traditional Angolan dancers, the Cohen Hammond Trio and the Helder Pereira Band.

Hear readings by Portuguese-Canadian writers featuring the likes of Aida Jordao, Irene Marques, Antonio Marques, Emanuel Melo and Humberto da Silva.

Watch great local art and photography at the Through the Looking Glass exhibit at Rose Will Studio and Gallery.

In Zone 2, from Brock to Dufferin, join in the afternoon laugh party featuring great neighbourhood comedians Helder Brum, Rhiannon Archer, Mike Rita, Brian Ward and host Nick Flanagan.

Feel like getting a workout in? Zone 3 has just the thing. A free outdoor yoga class at 10 am at Studio Blue, 1457 Dundas St West.

Between Dufferin and Dovercourt is where you’ll find some of Toronto’s most popular busker acts. Check out the event’s Busker Zones at Coolmine, Lisgar and at Federal Streets, including Madame Bella Muerte, Lucy Loop, Mighty Mike and more.

In Zone 4, which runs between Dovercourt and Ossington, hear live music all day at the Lakeview Avenue Stage in the Beer Store parking lot. Beginning at 12:30 p.m. with the Tavares Quintet, followed by Good Enough Live Karaoke, synth rock from LIPS,  rockabilly maestros the Royal Crowns, Neon Wave,  then Good Enough Live Karaoke again, Mexican Slang,  Blonde Elvis and finishing with DIY favourites Choir! Choir! Choir! at 8:30 p.m.

If the past is your thing, you’re sure to enjoy the Portuguese Canadian History Project exhibit, The Portuguese in Canada: 1953 – 2013. IC Savings also features community favourites Clay & Paper Theatre and renowned local artist Viktor Mitic.

Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. the West House will feature a seniors’ dance group, a life-sized scrabble game, musical performances by the West House Music School and more.

Ever walked by a building, structure or church and wondered why it was built or what it looks like on the inside?

There is a festival designed solely just for that. The 16^th annual Doors Open Toronto festival offers people free and rare access to more than 155 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city.

The two-day event takes place this year on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday May 24. This year’s theme of Sports, Recreation and Leisure pays tribute to this summer’s Pan-Am Games and features private and public recreational sites ranging from aquatic centres to athletics stadiums.

Doors will be open at buildings from the lake to the 407 and as far west as Islington to the eastern reaches of Military Trail. In and around the Freeman Real Estate office at 988 Bathurst, there are several notable buildings worth visiting:

Artscape Wychwood Barns 

This 100-year-old former streetcar repair facility is today a hub for arts, culture, food security, urban agriculture, environmental and other community activities and initiatives. Opened in 2008, this multi-faceted complex has become the social heart of the neighbourhood.

City of Toronto Archives 

Opened in 1992, the City of Toronto Archives was designed with a sky lit Research Hall where researchers can access the City’s documentary heritage. Doors Open guests will be given behind-the-scenes treatment as they view artworks based on archival images that have been created by students from the TDSB especially for the Pan-Am Games.

Denegri Bessai Studio 

This modest two-storey commercial and residential brick building situated on Bathurst Street, south of Dupont, will take visitors through the studio’s office space. View live prototyping and 3D printing demonstrations in addition to engaging in discussions with office staff.

First Church of Christ, Scientist – Toronto 

 This neo-classic building was commissioned to accommodate the growing Toronto congregation and has served its members since its completion in 1916. The interior spatial style mimics ancient Greece. The auditorium is arranged to seat just under 1,000 people in traditional pews and also holds an outstanding organ.

High Level Pumping Station 

High Level is located at the site of the long-buried Castle Frank Brook. This stream is the original source of raw water for the former Yorkville Waterworks. While Torontonians now rely on Lake Ontario for their tap water, the station’s core function of pumping water to higher elevations in Toronto remains unchanged for more than a century. High Level is the oldest pumping station in Toronto’s water supply system. The building has expanded over time to feature several additions that reflect different architectural styles such as Second Empire, Edwardian Classical and Style Moderne.

Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens

Built in 1866, the Spadina Museum was built by Toronto financier James Austin. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the remarkable restoration of this site with the support of stationed site staff that will be on-hand to offer background information on the site and answer questions.

Doors Open is presented by Great Gulf and produced by the City of Toronto in partnership with the broader community.

For more information about the event visit http://bit.ly/1dZbpeI.

If ever there was a city designed for aligning its collective sensibilities, building a sense of community, and articulating its likes and dislikes, Toronto would clearly be at the top of the list.

With dozens of residents associations and neighbourhood groups, Torontonians, it seems, have lots to say. Originally established in 1957, the ABC Residents’ Association, which serves those living in the Yorkville/North Midtown area between Yonge and Avenue Road, is committed to being actively involved in municipal issues. But even older is the South Rosedale Residents’ Association, which was formed in 1931.

Throw a stone in and around the Freeman neighbourhood and you’re sure to hit a good number of community/neighbourhood groups. The Seaton Village Residents’ Association was formed to improve living conditions and to promote and express the interests of residents through municipal representation.

The Christie Pits Residents’ Association began in 2006. The Palmerston Area Residents’ Association is dedicated to preserving the distinctive character of its neighbourhood. The Annex Residents’ Association is a volunteer organization with roots dating back over 80 years.

Toronto journalist David Topping keeps track of the city’s residents’ groups at http://bit.ly/1csQRdy. His list numbers 167 neighbourhood groups, while a Toronto Star story from last September cited 500 such groups as being registered with the city.

But if these groups don’t tickle you, think about starting your own. Think your neighbourhood falls victim to too much crime? Perhaps a crime prevention group is in order. Want to ensure your community’s elderly are safe and cared for? There’s an idea that could spawn a group of caring residents.

Essentially a neighbourhood group speaks up about issues of concern to those living in the community. Its goals should be realistic and achievable, no pie-in-the sky notions as that may tend to discourage pragmatists and can take too long to accomplish.

Neighbourhood groups can be about:

• crime prevention and community safety ideas
• neighbourhood clean-ups or other improvement projects
• parks and playgrounds
• social and recreational activities and special events
• traffic
• volunteer activities
• zoning and development issues

A neighbourhood association should have some structure to ensure that things get done. A more formal group could include a board of directors with members who are elected at an annual general meeting. Typically, board meetings take place monthly and a board follows written bylaws to guide its operations.

Whether you adopt a formal or informal group, here are a few tips and suggestions to help you along the way:

• Consider inviting a community police officer to your first meeting if your group is being established to address a specific problem.
• Try to include all age groups within your community. Each has its set of particular strengths.
• Establish clear and simple communication channels, invite feedback and encourage attendance and participation at meetings.
• Remember that not everyone is comfortable speaking out or talking in public. Offer other ways to get feedback such as suggestion boxes, confidential voicemail line, email address, social media platforms or one-on-one conversations.
• Make sure that everyone feels involved and that the whole community is represented, not just the opinions of those who sit on the board.

With spring fast upon us dog owners will be more inclined to brave the elements offered by our great outdoors. Besides, what’s a little rain and wind when compared to the snow, ice and freezing cold temperatures we’ve just endured?

There is nothing more exhilarating than watching your canine tear up the earth as he bounds through the air. And there’s no better way to let hounds fly than by setting them free. The city appreciates this, too, and allows for space in certain parks where dogs can roam off leash. Be warned, however, that dogs in city parks must be licensed and wearing a tag.

If you’re a little rusty in the dog-walking department or you’re new to the city, here’s our unofficial guide to some of the area’s best parks for strolling off-leash with your pooch.

Bickford Park

Located south of Bloor and Christie Pits is this 2.8-hectare green space in the heart of Little Italy. In addition to its off-leash area, the park also features two ball diamonds and two bocce courts.

Cedarvale Park

At 1611 Bathurst Street is a huge urban green space that cuts a diagonal swath through the Cedarvale neighbourhood which is located west of Bathurst Street between St. Clair Avenue and Eglinton Avenue. The park features an enclosed off-leash area for dogs in addition to tennis courts, a skating rink and an innovative environmental education program.

Clarence Square Park

Is a small, shady park located at Spadina and Wellington that offer dogs and their masters a decent size area to run or stroll leash free.

High Park

As the city’s crown jewel of green spaces, High Park is not only Toronto’s biggest park but one of its most scenic. Its off-leash section is known as Dog Hill and it boasts lots of seating, washrooms and pet drinking fountains. While there check out the High Park Zoo, Grenadier Café and some of the park’s historical landmarks. Don’t forget to enjoy the views.

Pawsway

The PawsWay at 245 Queens Quay West is Canada’s first pets-allowed indoor eatery. Dogs can dine and then meander about indoors and unencumbered in their very own 3,700 square feet of space. Now that’s doggy heaven.

Sir Winston Churchill Park

Sir Winston Churchill Park is an enormous park north of the Annex, where the off-leash area is part of a nice nature walk between the north and south ends.

Soaureren Avenue Park

Soaureren Avenue Park in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood is situated on a former bus garage that was slated to become a storage facility for city vehicles. Thanks to vocal residents, who objected to the plan, the park is home to an off-leash area for dogs as well as a farmer’s market and a field house for community gatherings.

Trinity Bellwoods Park

     Trinity Bellwoods Park’s off-leash area, which is known as         the Dog Bowl, is secluded in a ravine in the middle of the park. The bowl offers a sort of separation from the rest of this large urban    park and good sight lines to keep an eye on your pets.

Vermont Square Park

Vermont Square Park at 819 Palmerston Ave. offers Annex dog owners a little piece of unfenced grass tucked away from busy street traffic.

Wychwood Barns Park

Wychwood Barns Park provides a safe fenced area to protect pups from busy traffic. The small, off-leash area offers picnic tables and a drinking fountain. Bring your dogs on weekends and enjoy the farmer’s market.