Monarch Park

It’s a nice, big park with a REAL pool and also a smaller wading pool, lots of trees, even after the awful ice storm that ripped up a few trees and damaged many others. But the off leash dog park area is what makes this place so special. A couple of big hills, pretty green despite the fact that dogs use it to run (and relieve themselves) and the dog owners that come here are responsible, friendly and courteous. The same can’t be said for the occasional attention-​seeking drama queens that insist on having picnics with their children in the middle of the off-​leash area, sometimes even resorting to calls to the city AND police about how they are being ‘harassed’ by dogs and dog owners. A note to those who DO resort to this: police WILL come and ask YOU to move your picnic or leave the park entirely. Monarch Park is big enough that you don’t have to make a point of being where you know you’ll have problems if you have food out. Also, the rink is well maintained in winter AND summer.

Went here today for a picnic. Our group claimed the one picnic table I could see. The plus, it was very close to the playground so the assorted kids could pop in and out between snacking.
The down side. The dirt. They really need to resod the area around said picnic table because the crawling kiddies were covered in dirty sand in about two seconds. Watermelon hands and dirty sand do not mix nicely. The other bummer was they decided to close the pool early on the Sunday afternoon of the Labour Day weekend. This seemed like a dumb move because there were clearly people coming hoping to swim only to be turned away. Who knows? Maybe someone pulled a Caddyshack.
I didn’t get to check out where the dog off-​leash part of the park was, but I did notice quite a few dogs off lead walking around. Not sure if there is a designated area or if the whole thing is off lead.

My review is on Monarch Park pool and how pissed off i am at the City and at the staff here. I went over with the kids to go swimming, They are both great swimmers. We went in and the life guards did the obligatory swim test, they both passed and where given the swim bracelet so that all would know they could go anywhere in the pool.
Here’s my rant: I was asked by some snot nosed 17 year old lifeguard where my bathing suit was? i told him that i was going to read a book and wait for the kids to finish their swim.
I was told that i couldn’t be on the side lines without swimming gear in case my kids were in dire straits and i had to jump in to take care of it (how did the LIFEGUARD know i could even swim?)
I pointed out that there was about 10 muslim women in full burkas sitting on the sidelines not in swim gear.
This is what I was told «for religious reasons they are allowed» I semi joked that my religion doesn’t permit swim wear either.
I was asked to leave the pool with my kids and that if i wanted to come back i should have a bathing suit on? WTF. I’m a 44 year old women and i don’t think it’s some teenagers business why i don’t have a suit on. Enough said.
I thought lifeguards were there to save the day, apparently not!
note: regent park pool has the same rules, read that in the paper haven’t actually gone there.
note 2: i would have went home and put on one, but you can’t have rules for some and then put your restrictions on others.

Tons of space to «let the dogs out!!!» Always a good bunch of people to chat with and companions for your four-​legged friend. If you are a East Yorker, this is a good place to be