Hill Street Dog Park User Survey

Tell us how the park works for you and your dog, why you choose each area, and what you need from a future configuration. We welcome regular, occasional, and former users.

Participation is voluntary. This is an open community survey, not a representative sample of every park user.

Anonymous Estimated time: about 5 minutes

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The Hill Street Dog Park User Survey is currently closed. Thank you to everyone who participated. Results will be reviewed alongside observation data and community submissions.

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Section 1

Your use of Hill Street Dog Park

How often do you currently visit Hill Street Dog Park?

Daily or almost daily Several times a week About once a week A few times a month Less often I used to visit regularly, but rarely or never visit now I have never used Hill Street Dog Park

How long have you been using Hill Street Dog Park? This helps us understand experiences before and after the June 2026 reconfiguration.

Less than 3 months 3 to 6 months 6 to 12 months 1 to 2 years More than 2 years I don't currently use Hill Street Dog Park

When do you usually use the park? (optional)

Early morning Morning Afternoon Early evening Evening/night Weekdays Weekends My visits vary

Your dog(s)

These questions help us understand whether different dogs have different needs from the park.

What size dog or dogs do you usually bring to Hill Street Dog Park?

The posted small-dog area rule is height-based: dogs must be shorter than 20″ / 50cm, though larger older or frail dogs are also welcomed in that area.

Under 20″ / 50cm tall (qualifies for the small-dog area by height) 20″ / 50cm tall or taller Taller than 20″ / 50cm, but qualifies for the small-dog area as an older or frail dog I bring dogs of more than one size Prefer not to say

Which of these describe the dog(s) you bring?

Puppy Adult Senior Very social with other dogs Selective about other dogs Shy or nervous Prefers calmer play Enjoys energetic/rough play Has mobility, health or injury considerations None of these particularly apply Other

What does your dog mainly use Hill Street Dog Park for?

A leash-free park serves more than one purpose. Select all that apply.

Running and vigorous exercise Off-leash play with other dogs Socializing, for me and/or my dog Training or structured practice Calm, low-key time outdoors Bathroom breaks Other

Which area do you use?

Since the small-dog area opened, which area do you usually use?

Mainly the main/general-use area Mainly the small-dog area I regularly use both It depends on the situation I have rarely or never visited since the small-dog area opened

What are the main reasons you choose the main area?

More space More dogs for my dog to interact with My dog prefers the dogs or activity there My dog enjoys more active play Easier access or movement through the park Access to park amenities I meet people/dogs we already know there The small-dog area is too quiet or empty when I visit My dog does not qualify for the small-dog area My small dog prefers the main area I prefer a mixed-size environment I feel safer or more comfortable there Habit / it is the area I used before the change Other

What are the main reasons you choose the small-dog area?

I want separation from larger dogs My dog is afraid or nervous around larger dogs I am concerned about accidental injury from larger dogs My dog prefers smaller dogs My dog prefers a quieter environment My dog is a puppy My dog is older My dog has health, mobility or injury considerations My dog has a calmer play style I feel more comfortable there I find it easier to supervise my dog there My dog or I have had a negative experience in a mixed-size dog park Other

What determines which area you use?

Which dogs are present How crowded each area is The size of the dogs present My dog's mood or behaviour that day The play style/activity level of dogs present Whether my dog wants more or less interaction Who else is at the park Time of day Weather/ground conditions Access to amenities Other

What are the main reasons you rarely or never visit Hill Street Dog Park now?

The reconfiguration reduced usable space for my dog I lost access to people or dogs I used to see there Entrances, exits or movement through the park became harder The park feels more crowded or congested now My dog's needs changed, unrelated to the reconfiguration My own schedule or circumstances changed, unrelated to the reconfiguration I moved away from the area Other

Small dogs using the main area

If you bring a dog that qualifies for the small-dog area and sometimes choose the main area, why?

My dog is comfortable around larger dogs My dog prefers playing with dogs of different sizes There are usually more dogs in the main area The small-dog area is sometimes empty My dog needs or prefers more room My dog has friends/playmates in the main area I prefer the layout or features of the main area I prefer the social environment in the main area I use both areas depending on conditions Other

Is there anything that would make you more likely to use a separated area with your small dog? (optional)

How is the current configuration working?

Overall, how well does the current park configuration work for you and your dog(s)?

Very well Somewhat well Neither well nor poorly Somewhat poorly Very poorly Not sure / not enough experience

How satisfied are you with each of the following?

What kind of separation is actually useful?

A separated area can potentially serve different needs. We want to understand which needs matter most to Hill Street Dog Park users.

In your view, what are the most important reasons for having a separated area at Hill Street Dog Park? Choose up to three.

Protecting smaller dogs from accidental injury involving larger dogs Providing space for dogs that are nervous around larger dogs Providing a quieter/lower-intensity environment Providing space for puppies Providing space for senior dogs Providing space for dogs recovering from injury or with mobility limitations Separating dogs by size Separating dogs by play style or energy level Giving owners another option when the main area is crowded Allowing dogs that are not comfortable in the main area to still use an off-leash space I do not think a separated area is needed Other

Which statement comes closest to your view?

The current small-dog area should remain essentially as it is Hill Street Dog Park should continue to have a dedicated small-dog area, but its size or layout could change Hill Street Dog Park should have a separated area, but it does not necessarily need to be based only on dog size I would prefer a different type of flexible or shared-use configuration I do not think a permanently separated area is needed I am not sure yet Other

Would a smaller separated area still meet your needs?

Definitely yes Probably yes Maybe / depends on the design Probably no Definitely no I don't personally use a separated area Not sure

What would a smaller area fail to provide? (optional)

If the park were redesigned, which features would be most important to you? Choose up to five.

More usable space in the main area Dedicated space for small dogs A quieter/calmer separated space Multiple gates/entrances A double-gated entrance for safety A safer way to move between sections Better access to water More seating More shade/trees Better lighting Better drainage/ground conditions Space that could be used flexibly depending on demand Clearer signage/rules Other

Before and after

Compared with before the small-dog area was installed, your overall experience of Hill Street Dog Park is now:

Much better Somewhat better About the same Somewhat worse Much worse Mixed: some things are better and some are worse Not sure

What has improved, if anything? (optional)

What has become worse, if anything? (optional)

Your priorities

If the City reconsidered the layout, what should be the three most important priorities? Choose up to three.

Safety for small dogs Enough space for the number of dogs using each area Safe entrances and exits Ability to move through the park Access to water and existing amenities Space for active play/running Space for quieter or nervous dogs Accessibility for people with mobility needs Trees/shade Seating Keeping construction costs reasonable Preserving as much existing infrastructure as possible Flexibility as park use changes Other

Is there anything else you think we should understand about how Hill Street Dog Park is used or what would make it work better? (optional)

We appreciate your interest

What is your connection to Hill Street Dog Park?

I live nearby I use Hill Street Park but not the dog park I own a dog but use other dog parks I am interested in neighbourhood/public-space issues Other

Do you have any comments about the future of Hill Street Dog Park? (optional)

Ready to compare the options?

Community voting is now open. Review the proposed alternatives and help identify which should be brought to the City. You do not need to complete this survey before voting.
Voting closes September 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Review the options and vote ↗

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This survey is anonymous. We do not publish individual survey responses automatically.

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🕒Your use of Hill Street Dog Park

🐶Your dog(s)

📍Which area do you use?

🔀Small dogs using the main area

⭐How is the current configuration working?

🧩What kind of separation is actually useful?

⏳Before and after

🎯Your priorities

👋We appreciate your interest

🗳️Ready to compare the options?

Thank you