UPDATE AS OF JULY 29THI was in Toronto this week and checked out High Park and measured distances and did the actual walks to get an idea.
I'll post more as we are closer to the event but this is what I'm thinking now.
Plan to meet at 11:00 AM, Sunday August 14th in High Park off Bloor Street, Toronto.
Parking will be in High Park over by Grenadier Restaurant by the exit from the offleash area for dogs. It's on the road back up to Bloor close to the pool. There is far more parking there even when the park is busy. I've attached a map of High Park so everyone can see the layout.
I did the walks myself with Zeus at a normal pace, not stopping or looking in stores etc. So what I'm going to say for time and distance would probably be the least time. Add more people, talking and maybe checking out a store or 2 etc and the time would increase.
If you are miles vs Kilometer person 1.6 K is 1 mile. Usually a normal walking pace is about 20 min for 1 mile, 1.6K
I'm mentioning all this because I don't know everyone's situation, how much they walk, how far etc. Better for me to provide the facts as best as possible, and then people can decide what fits them and their dog.
Short Walk - High Park to Bark &Fritz/Starbucks is 1.4 K / 14 min one way so basically just under 1 mile. The full short loop would be 2.8 K, 1.7 miles and 28-30 min. Add looking through Bark and Fritz or Global Pets across the street, getting something from Starbucks and sitting for a bit and the overall time for the Short loop could be 45 min and up to 1 hour depending on the stop time. This is what we did for D.O.G I
Medium Walk - add over the short walk, leaving Starbucks and continuing down Bloor to Currie makes 2.0 K from High Park start and it's 7 min more one way 14 min more overall walking than the short walk. You could loop back on Bloor from Currie and that gives a taste of Bloor Village and makes the overall loop 4.0 K , 2.5 miles and about 40 min. 2 times past Starbucks and for sure about 1 hour overall from High Park and back with your stop at Starbucks.
Long Walk - High Park to Starbucks, keep going down Bloor just before Jane, looping back down Bloor past Starbucks again and back to High Park. This is 5.4 K, 3.4 miles and it took me 1 hour to walk. I stopped for a few min at Jane for water for Zeus and at Starbucks for water for Zeus on the way back.
There are all kinds of various shops, some with outside areas, bakery, restaurants, Grocery stores large and small, LCBO etc. Bloor Village is a little village within the big Toronto area so it's pretty cool to explore and walk down the street seeing all the activity. I can guarantee you a pack of Dobermans will creat quite the strir. I've been up and down the area now about 4-5 times with Zeus (once being D.O.G I) and Zeus and I alone create a stir.
It's clear Dobermans get attention over the usual varieties of dogs seen on Bloor. Lots more dogs also on weekends over weekdays.
Walk Summary...........
The short walk would be probably the best for any pups or people that don't walk at least 30 min a day.
The medium walk is good for older dogs and anyone that walks about 30 min a day with their dog.
The long walk is good for anyone that walks a couple miles a day and 60 min to 1+ hour range with their dog.
Plan for the Day...........
The plan would be for the Long Walk group to leave High Park 1st and 30 min later the short walk people leave. That way the whole group should end up at Starbucks/Bark and Fritz about the same time. We could all return as a group to High Park and then the informal picnic for those that want to stay.
Those wanting to frequent the offleash area could do so before the walks or after the return as it's right by the parking are we would start from.
I walk Zeus 2.5 to under 3 miles each day just under1 hour. He was pretty happy at the end to be back at the truck and I knew we had a good walk. I mention this because by the time you are back from the long walk I think all but the most active dogs could care less about being offleash. So keep that in mind deciding on walk preference, offleash etc when deciding what suits you and your dog.
I'll have a cooler full of bottled water chilled for everyone. I think maybe Subway makes sense and can easily be kept fresh in a cooler. Joanne was thinking some salads and snacks to share. Everyone needs to bring lawn chairs. High Park is well shaded with trees so we can easily find a nice shaded spot to set up the picnic.
Bring $10 for 2 official D.O.G Decals if you don't have them prior ;D
So far..........
YES
Gary & Zeus, Male 2+yr
Joanne & Reyna, Female 1yr
Lana & Diesel, Male, 1yr
Andreina & Julian w/Scarlet, female pup 5 months
Caroline & husband w/Ronin, Male 5 yr
Barb & Kerrie w/ Dante, Male 2+ yr, Kazi. Female pup 7 months
Dino & Dutch, Male approx 2 yr
Bill & Dyanne w/Jack, Male approx 2 Yr
So far 11 people and 9 dobermans
Plus the photo guy that Joanne mentioned.
Let me know your thoughts of the basic plan.
Any new people attending not already listed, post up please.Attachments: