Maple's First Fall in Newmarket: A Dog-Friendly Guide to Parks, Trails and Off-Leash Spots

Andre texted me a photo the week after he and Simone got the keys to their townhouse in Newmarket. It wasn't the kitchen or the backyard. It was Maple, their eight-month-old rescue pup, fast asleep on a pile of moving blankets.

"She's been cooped up in a condo her whole life," he wrote. "Where do we take her first?"

That's one of my favourite questions to answer, because Newmarket is a genuinely great town for dogs. So here's the list I sent them, plus a few spots they've since discovered on their own Saturday walks.

1. Global Pet Foods Dog Park (220 Bayview Parkway)

This is Newmarket's off-leash dog park, and it was Maple's first real "zoomies" moment. The park is fully fenced, with separate sections for small dogs and large dogs, a wood-chip surface that stays less muddy in the wet months, benches, two viewing areas, parking and a water feature.

A few house rules to know before you go (they're posted by the Town of Newmarket):

• Dogs need to be licensed, and puppies six months and younger aren't allowed in the off-leash area yet.
• There's a limit of three dogs per handler, and handlers need to be at least 16.
• Kids under 12 should be supervised by an adult the whole time.
• Leash up when you come in and go out, and leave the treats outside the gate.

The park does close now and then for maintenance, sometimes without notice, so it's worth checking the Town's page before a special trip.

2. Fairy Lake Park and the Tom Taylor Trail

For a classic Saturday-morning walk, Andre and Simone now head to Fairy Lake Park on Water Street. It's 13.4 hectares of parkland, waterways and marsh in the heart of town, with the Tom Taylor Trail winding around the lake and over little bridges. There's a pavilion with washrooms, picnic areas and playgrounds near Cane Parkway, so it works just as well when friends with kids tag along.

Dogs are welcome on a leash here, as they are in every Newmarket park and trail outside the designated off-leash area. The Town even suggests a short leash on busy trails, which makes sense on a sunny fall weekend when the Tom Taylor Trail fills up with strollers, cyclists and other pups.

3. The trail less travelled

When the Tom Taylor Trail gets busy, try the Dave Kerwin Trail off Gilpin Drive, one of the quieter routes the Town itself recommends. Newmarket has more than 44 kilometres of walking and biking trails, linking from East Gwillimbury down to Aurora, so there's always a new loop to sniff out.

4. A short drive for off-leash forest walks

Maple's absolute favourite outing is just a short drive northeast of town. The York Regional Forest requires dogs to be on-leash in most tracts, but the Bendor and Graves Tract in East Gwillimbury (main entrance at 18038 McCowan Road) allows off-leash walks along its trails, and it also has an enclosed off-leash area. The Davis Drive Tract in Whitchurch-Stouffville (4277 Davis Drive) is the other off-leash option.

The open trails aren't fenced, so off-leash dogs need to stay in sight and come back when called. Carry a leash, don't let them chase wildlife, and keep it to three dogs per person.

Andre and Simone's tips for a happy dog Saturday

• Go early. Before 10 a.m. the trails are calmer and parking is easy.
• Pack a towel. Late-October leaves and puddles mean a muddy pup on the drive home.
• Bring extra bags. Stoop and scoop is the rule everywhere in town.
• Get your licence sorted. You'll need it for the dog park, and it helps get your dog home fast if they ever slip away.

Finding a home that works for the whole family (paws included)

When Andre and Simone first started house hunting, their wish list was short: a fenced yard, room for a crate by the back door, and a walk to green space. Those details matter as much as bedrooms and bathrooms, and they're things our team asks about from the very first conversation.

From Newmarket and Aurora to Georgina, Bradford, Barrie, Durham and the Kawarthas, The Jennifer Jones Team helps families across South & Central Ontario find homes close to the trails, parks and lakes they love.

• Looking for a home with a yard and a trail nearby? Search homes across South & Central Ontario.
• Thinking about moving up to more space for your crew? Book a free home evaluation and find out what your current home is worth.

See you on the trails this weekend!

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This is an illustrative story based on common client situations.