Firstly, it is very important to be informed about the park rules and by-laws. They have been instituted for the protection of yourself, your dog and park property and use of the park is contingent upon adhering to them.  If you are unfamiliar with the rules which ALL park users are expected to adhere to, please view them on our RHK9Klub Website at:  Park Rules.  For those of us worried about possible contamination by toxic substances or anything intended to cause harm to our dogs or potentially our children, here are a few rules and tips that relate to that concern:
 
Bring your own water for your dog and be sure to take it with you when you leave.  Bowls or water bottles left behind will be removed by Klub volunteers for safety (recall tainted water incidents at High Park in 2008 that claimed the lives of several dogs and raccoons).
  
Dogs in the off leash area must be within visible range of their owner at all times. Our park is unique because of the natural topography, which is one of the great things about it, but also poses a challenge to keeping an eye on your pets as they roam around the hills, valleys and shrubbery.  Move around the off-leash area as your dog does.  If you are paying attention to your dog while in the park, you may be able to spot a problem early.  If you notice your dog returning to a patch of mulch or ground and digging up or eating something, investigate immediately.  Remove anything that could potentially cause harm and report the incident to a Klub volunteer.   If you suspect that your dog has ingested a harmful substance, take the necessary precautions by making a visit to your local veterinarian and if confirmed, report the incident to York Regional Police (Recent changes to the Criminal Code have made it an indictable offence to poison a pet or to leave poison somewhere a pet could easily ingest it).  
 
Glass containers and other breakable materials capable of causing injury to a dog are not permitted within the off leash area.  We must have a zero-tolerance policy for breakables.  If we notice bottles or other breakables on the ground, we should know to remove them and place them in the trash by the exit.  This vigilance keeps everyone safe, regardless if the cause was negligence or a deliberate intent to cause harm.  
 
Finally, we should all be diligent in picking up non-intentional hazards that make their way into the park and that can be as lethal to our pets as poison or broken glass.  Plastic bags, bottle caps and cigarette butts can become lodged in a dogs windpipe or ingested and cause harm.  We wouldn't want these items littering our backyards, so let's keep them out of our off-leash area!  
 
The key time of day to be especially vigilant is when visiting the park first thing in the morning since mischief would most likely occur overnight.  We should have a thorough look around and take note of anything that seems out of place or suspicious.  If you notice anything unusual, notify a Klub Volunteer.
 
Above all, it is important to create a dialogue aimed at education rather than panic.  Take the time to discuss what you know about the rules with anyone who appears to be lacking that information.  Don't be confrontational.  Many people just aren't aware of the rules.  It may just be that we need to remind each other occasionally about how we all need to work at keeping the off-leash area safe for everyone, two legs or four.  We all need to be "Watch Dogs".