Winter Stations Design Contest: Off Leash Fun

Do you love art? Do you have a dog? Do you like to get outdoors in the winter? Here is a wonderful winter art trek you can do with your dog: Winter Stations Design Contest down at the Toronto Beaches. If you’re tired of the same old walks, try a break in routine and get down to the beach.

Yes, it’s cold most days, but you won’t regret it, and here is why:

The Beach area in Toronto is designated off leash (between the lake and the snow fence) in the months between November and March. This incredible expanse of beach makes for vast running space for energetic dogs. We were so pleased to learn of this for our own dog’s sake. We’ve taken him down a few times now this winter, both as a meet up place for our intrepid group of German Shorthaired Pointer owners of Toronto, and for our own spur-of-the-moment romps. Our dog’s giant smile and graceful full-out gallop is a joy to watch, and a necessary activity for a bird dog living in the city. The winter off-leash Beach area is a blessing.

From Feb 15 to March 19, the beach is host to the winners of the Winter Stations Design Competition. In its second year, there are seven installations adorning the beach. The winning designs are culled from competitors world wide. It’s really worth a visit – this is a “four-for-one” activity:

1. you get out to embrace the hearty joy of a Canadian Winter  “I. Am. Canadian!”;
2. you get to experience large scale, immersive art on a beautiful walk along the city’s expansive beach;
3. you get to take your family, and your dog – on an art experience! How often does that happen?; and
4. you can view all the different breeds of dogs in their infinite combinations and permutations. It’s a feast for anyone who loves to see dogs at play.

Flow by Calvin Fung and Victor Huynh

If we’re not having an el niño kind of day, it’s best to dress very warmly as the wind coming off the lake can be biting. Throw a coat on your dog too, if they’re not sporting particularly warm natural protection themselves. Note that some of the stations are designed as “warming stations”, so you may benefit from that fact as you foray along the beach. One of the best (and true) warming stations is a gorgeous curved wooden wind shield which houses a protected wood burning fire pit (Douglas Cardinal’s “The Fire Place”). The smell from a distance will draw you in, and your hands will thank you as they warm by the fire. The memory will stay with your clothing for a day or so too, which is a bonus in my mind – nothing like a sweetly wood-smoked coat to don in the winter.

The Fire Place by Douglas Cardinal

Floating Ropes by Elodie Doukhan and Nicolas Muscle of MUDO

This 2015-16 Winter has been unusually warm, which makes a trip to the beaches even more enjoyable. Thank you El Niño.  The dogs love it too.  On one of the warmest days, I stole a few photos of some pretty dogs. If I haven’t named them and you know the dogs, please give a shout out and give their names in the comments below.

Shoshona is a rescue dog brought to Canada. She loves her frisbee.

Toy Manchester Terrier, Sophie, is very dainty, but she held her own with the big dogs on the beach.

The pre-gallop stand-off.

s t r u t . . .

To help you plan your trip, here is a great map, for you to find your way, and a cool little video on “the making of” the Winter Stations.  Have fun!

As always, if you are interested in having your pet photographed having a wonderful time with you at the Beaches or elsewhere, please contact me. The light and the space is amazing there in the late afternoons.

Aurora Borealis by Laurentian University Team