Prospect Park Leash Free Area

Overview

Prospect Park is a well‑loved community destination in Acton, Ontario, offering a wide range of amenities including a playground, boat launch, running track, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and a designated leash-free dog area. As the Town looks to update and enhance the existing leash-free space, we want to ensure the revised area truly reflects the needs of residents and their dogs.

Your input is essential. We invite community members to share their ideas, preferences, and priorities for improving the leash-free area at Prospect Park. Potential upgrades may include additional seating, improved lighting, accessible pathways, a dog-friendly water fountain, open lawn areas, tree planting, and agility equipment.

With your feedback, we aim to create a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable space that can be used year‑round. One that supports active play, social connection, and a positive experience for every dog and dog owner in our community.

Consultation Feedback – What we heard

We received 85 responses to the Prospect Park Off-Leash Dog Park Survey.

General comments:

• Majority excited to see upgrades made to the park, with many respondents indicating that upgrades are long overdue and expressing appreciation for investment in the dog park
• Concerns about aggressive dogs/ irresponsible owners, with requests for better enforcement of leash-free park rules and the importance of a smaller fenced dog area.
• Maintenance concerns regarding more consistent grass cutting, park maintenance and gate/fence fixes.

Preferred Concept

Concept B was most preferred overall; however, results indicate park users would favour a design that combines some elements from both concepts.

The clearest priorities were:

• A water fountain/bottle filling station
• Improved drainage and ground surfacing
• Additional shade trees
• Separate fenced area for small dogs
• Better lighting
• Preservation of large open grass running areas
• Longer looping pathway
• Seating located at the perimeter rather than within active play spaces

Balancing Community Priorities

Survey respondents were strongly divided between two key design priorities. While many users advocated maintaining a large, open grass area with minimal obstacles to maximize dog running space, others strongly supported the inclusion of a larger looping pathway to encourage walking and circulation throughout the park.

This was reflected in the survey results, where both ”Amount of Open Sod/Grass Area" and “Longer Looping Pathway" were identified as the most influential factors in choosing between Concept A and Concept B, each receiving 42 responses (approximately 50% of respondents).

The final design direction seeks to balance both priorities by optimizing both open play space and pathway connectivity. After meeting with the Leash Free Halton Hills Volunteer Committee to review the overall survey results and discuss important park features, we have come up with the following final design for Prospect Parks Leash Free Area.

We value the input of residents and park users. Please review the proposed final design and share any feedback, questions, or concerns you may have. Your comments will help ensure the project continues to reflect the needs of those who use and enjoy the Prospect Park Leash-Free Area.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and thank everyone who participated in the planning process.

Next Steps

• Preparation of final construction drawings and purchase materials and schedule construction.
• Construction is anticipated to begin this fall after the Acton Fall Fair.
• During the construction period, the Prospect Park Leash-Free Area will be closed. We will co-ordinate work so the closure is as short as possible.
• Park users are encouraged to utilize the Town's other leash-free facilities during this time at Trafalgar Sports Park & Cedarvale Park.

Final Design