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Wednesday August 15, 2001 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A5 Leash-free dog zones win kudos from owners B y A n g e la B la c k b u rn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Summer's dog days are a howling success at six Oakville parks thanks to leash-free zones that are the cat's meow for canines. The zones are fenced in park areas that allow dogs to roam free without leashes. Such zones exist at Bronte's Shell Park; near Glen Abbey's Recreation Centre; Kingsford Gardens in Clearview; Glenashton Park in Iroquois Shore Ridge; and, Post Park, on Chartwell Road. · Yet another leash-free trail, and an unfenced, open space, is at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. The trail is accessible off Burloak Drive. The open space is off Bronte Road at Upper Middle Road. Outside the zones, dogs in Oakville must be leashed. Leash-free zones were initially a bone of con tention. Dog owners were keen to let their hound have fun, others worried about park safety and sanitation. Dog owners spearheaded the bid for leash-free zopes at Post Park and Shell Park in the late 1990s and what were trial runs, have become promising additions for dog lovers and their pooches. And, like most things in Oakville, it's all been approached with aplomb, these leash-free zones have all the amenities. There are benches to relax on and an abun dance of bags to facilitate the Town's, mandatory stoop-and-scoop rules. The zones are fully fenced with pedestrian gates and signs that not only identify the leashfree areas in the parks, but also its "code of ethics." Dogs must be kept under voice control and in sight at all time. If they get aggressive, the leash goes back on. The amenities come with a price -- paid by the ` dog owners. Each park is funded, not by the Town of Oakville, but by a dog-walking group. At Shell Park, WOOF (West Oakville OffLeash Friends) supports the nearly one-acre area, which has areas for small and large dogs. R. Dog (Responsible Dog-Owners Group) supports Post Park's 1.3-acre site. Near the Glen Abbey Recreation Centre FLEA (Four-Legged Exercises Area) has a two-acre site. COCA (Clearview Oakville Community Alliance) supervises a one-acre leash-free zone at Kingsford Gardens. At Glenashton Park, Carefree Canines sup ports the 1.5-acre leash-free zone. And, finally at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, the park warden ensures everyone, canine or not, obeys the rules once admission gets paid. "The history of it is that there was this lady who always walked her dog in Shell Park without a leash, and people didn't like it," said Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson. Rumblings from Shell Park championed a sec ond crack at a leash-free zone request that had been turned down at Post Park. Oakville resident Susan Boyd whose nineyear-old black Labrador, Riley, loves the leashfree zone at Post Park, was involved in champi oning leash-free zones. Most groups sell annual memberships for a modest fee. At Shell Park it's $15. At Post Park it's $15, with $2 extra for additional dogs. "Each of the dog walking groups also holds fundraisers, from auctions to pub nights," said Janet Devenish, of Oakville Parks & Recreation. "We hold a doggy Hallowe'en party. It's for the dogs, but also for the members," said Boyd. R. Dog also supports the Oakville Humane Society. At the first ever such party, R. Dog turned over $2,000 to Mayor Ann Mulvale to finance fencing Post Park's leash-free zone. Boyd said many come from afar to use the park, and when a dog first struts in, the park holds all the promise of Christmas morning. "They go crazy and roar through the place." The people also make friends, which Boyd believes is key to making the amenity work. One woman even donated a bench for the Post Park leash-free zone. Pam Button said that with no backyard of her own, the leash-free zone at Shell Park is funda mental to her American Eskimo dog, Susie. "She thinks she owns it. If she were a human, she'd be running town council. It's my way of getting fresh air, too." Button, also takes her 5-month-old Pomeranian-Retriever Teddy, to the leash-free zone that has a shady area, picnic tables, even buckets of water and taps for the dogs to slurp a drink. Lansing Build-all donated a bench. Carolyn Bottoms, owner of an ex-racing Greyhound, said Shell Park's leash-free zone was perfect to socialize her dog. "Bonnie was pretty competitive at first, but she's become much more friendly. She adores the dogs and loves the people. The dogs are just hap pier being off leash," said Bottoms who visits twice weekly with Bonnie. WOOF hosts an annual picnic for its members with games for the dogs, a fly-ball demonstration, and visits from obedience schools. Bronte Creek Provincial Park natural heritage education leader Sheila Wiebe has been taking her black Labrador, Taiga, around that park's 1-km trail, for most of the three years it's been open and sings its praises. Dogs aren't allowed near picnic or swimming areas, or the farms, off leash. Park hours are 8 a.m. to dusk, year-round, 10 p.m. in summer. Admission costs $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for youths, $60 for a summer pass; $90 for an annual pass. W hile the kids are learning their ABC's you can be learning your 1-2-3 s. Sell I S lio n r s o f D a n c in g lo r $ 2 S N vw I .c iir n .m I i i I i s t u d e n t s o n l y . o r w ith o u t a p a rtn e r w ith Learning new things is one o f the joys o f living. Your kids are off discovering the big wide world, so why shouldn't you broaden your own horizons a little? Come see the professional dance instructors at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, and discover the challenge, excitement and fun o f Ballroom dancing. l imited to 1st 35 callers Why should your kids have all thefun? D A N C E S T U D IO S * 225 Lakeshore Road East, 2nd Floor, Downtown Oakville 1 block west of Trafalgar Rd. (Entrance from berth Lakeshore Road and parigng lot off Church Street) w w w .fr e d a s ta ir e .c o m (9 0 5 )8 4 2 -3 7 9 7 ro o m w it h a v ie w . . . A n d a v ie w o f Q u e e n s A v e n u e Retirement Residence By Kym Funnell ADVERTISING FEATURE he new millennium proved to be a fabulous new beginning for Sheila O 'Brien, one of the first residents at Queen's Avenue Retirement Residence. The previous year, 1999, had been draining; caring for her beloved husband at home who was diagnosed with Alzheimers and was beginning to require more care. She had many difficult decisions to make, including which long term care facility her husband would move to and where she would go herself. Being in good health and fairly mobile (she still drives her own car), she wanted to remain independent but knew it was time to sell the family home. So with her husband placed in a beautiful facility nearby, she went about the daunting task of finding herself a new place to call home. And then she heard about Queens Avenue Retirement Residence. "I absolutely love it here!" Exclaims Sheila, "and it was a tremendous lift at a difficult time in my life." She admits downsizing was difficult, and it was hard to sell the house and most of her furniture, but she feels she couldn't have made a better choice. "This is simply a wonderful place," says this ener getic senior, "from the activities, exercises, crafts, entertainment, and the beauty salon located on the main floor, Queens Avenue has everything." Besides being within minutes from the GO Station, her doc tor's office, a shopping centre, and many other amenities, her son lives in Toronto and her daughter lives in Hamilton, so she's direcdy between both. "The location is very convenient for me. I' ve lived in Oakville for over 50 years, so I know the area really well, and it's convenient for my family," she contin ued. It's convenient for Sheila too as she only has to prepare her breakfast and lunch, because dinner is always served in the elegant dining room - which boasts a beautiful outdoor terrace. The Queens Avenue offers gracious retirement living, with beautiful suites (studio, one and two bedrooms) ranging from 370 to 775 sq. ft. "Because I was one of the first residents here, I got my choice and I have a beautiful, bright corner unit with lots of big windows!" Commented Sheila adding "I can see all the snow on peo ple's roofs in the winter and watch all the birds in the summer." The Queen's Avenue offers a safe, secure and elegant environment with a warm and inviting lobby entrance with reception services, auto matic keyless building door entries, beauti fully landscaped grounds, an elegant main lounge with a double sided fireplace, activity and recreation facilities and a guest suite for visitors and short-term stays. "The fellowship among residents is probably my favourite part of The Queen's Avenue," says Sheila. "I can spend as much time alone in my apartment but I know there's always someone downstairs in the lounge. I never get lonely! And the staff is wonder ful. They're all warm, friendly people and very inter active." There are many services included when taking up residency at The Queen's Avenue Retirement Residence. For more information regarding occu pancy, visit them at 1056 Queen's Avenue, or call 905-815-0862 T · P U B L IC A U C T IO N · P U B L IC A U C T IO N · P U B L IC A U C T IO N · OAKVILLE GYMNASTICS CENTRE FAI T . PROGRAMMES 2001 A U C T IO N w P U B L IC FALL SEASON SEPT. 9 - DEC. 15 R EG IST ER NOW! August 2 0 ,2 2 ,24th 9:00-4:00 Mon., Wed., Fri August 21 & 23 9:00-8:00 Tues. & Thurs. August 25 9:00-1:00 Saturday PA RENT & TO T PROGRAM S Ages 18 months - 2 years Develop self confidence ir self esteem in a positive atmosphere through a structured gymnastics environment W I - I / * Sale to be held Thursday evening, August 16 at 6:30 p.m. (Preview from 5 p.m .) at M A IN W A Y A R E N A IN B U R L IN G T O N (4015 Mainway -2 blocks north of QEW at Walkers Line) N O A D M IS S IO N FEES - N O BUYERS P R E M IU M S Selling by public auction sale; televisions sizes from 13" to 61", including Hitachi Digital Projection TV, dvd players in single disc and 5 disc format, surround sound home theatre systems, Kenwood home stereo systems, portable CD players, cordless phones with caller ID and more, microwaves in various sizes, 2-line small business phones, lap top computer, Braun men and lady shavers, top quality stainless steel pot sets, Sony digital camera's, all types of VCR's, Panasonic 2.4 gig phones, RCA 61" Projection TV's, Hitachi camcorders, Convection ovens and much, much more. This is only a partial list of over 800 pieces to be offered to highest bidder by public auction. G Y M M IN I C R IC K E T S Ages 3 - 5 Children learn to follow instYuction, become more independent and gain basic skills & combinations in gymnas tics while making friends and improv ing special skills. G IR L S & BOYS R E C R E A T IO N -A L L PR O D U C TS C O M E WITH F U L LW ARRANTY Also included in auction will be a selection of artworks and hand knotted rugs. M A IN W A Y A R E N A - B U R L IN G T O N C A S H , V IS A , M A S T E R C A R D , DEBIT *Sale subjed to additions or deletions Artistic Trampoline &Tumbling Ages 6+ Ages 7+ Develop balance, co-ordination, confidence and gymnastics skills. C O M P E T IT IV E P R O G R A M S Interclub Pre-Competitive Artistic Power Tum bling R e g is tra tio n V is it u s a t G irls &Boys G irls &Boys G irls G irls &Boys In fo rm a tio n : N o r th (9 0 5 ) Ages 7+ Ages 5-8 Ages 9+ Ages 7+ 8 4 7 -7 7 4 7 R o a d W e s t 4 6 1 S e r v ic e