I've noticed a bunch of dogs off-leash recently. I'm not just talking about in the pet-friendly areas of Hamilton Park, but around the neighborhood. I have to say, this is alarming and dangerous on several levels, and I would like to suggest a few things that we, as a community, can do about it.

First, why it's dangerous: Your dog may be friendly and do well off-leash, but my dog may not be so friendly. Having an off-leash dog come up to a dog walking on the leash can provoke that dog. I know this because it has happened to my dog. She is a very good dog but she gets nervous around dogs off-leash. A dog off leash tried to come up to her once, prompting her to growl and bark. Once she growled and barked, the off-leash dog bit her. Over $700 later, and a nasty wound to the neck, she has never quite been the same.
Another reason why off-leash dogs are dangerous is that this is a very busy neighborhood. I just now experienced a dachshund flying across a busy street (off-leash of course) to say "hello" to my dog (my dog is also a dachshund) despite my pleas that my dog is not friendly. This dog completely ignored its human's calls. It could have easily been hit by a car in rush hour traffic. Why subject your beloved pet to that danger? There are tons of car accidents and near misses around here. Our dogs should not be potential victims to that.
Also, a dog off-leash could be scary to kids (or anyone really!). Some kids love animals, but others could be scared. Just leash your dog. If it's such a great dog, it won't mind a leash with plenty of slack. Sometimes, depending on the leash, your dog won't even feel like its on a leash! But you will have the control.

Now, here are some thoughts as to what we can do as a community: Dog owners, please leash your dog. Just do it. It's the law, actually. I know there are no cops who are actively enforcing this but for the reasons above, there should be no need to even bring up that off-leash is illegal. You should leash your dog out of basic responsibility for the well-being of your animal.
If you see a dog off-leash, you should tell the person that it would be a good idea, for the sake of their own dog, to use a leash. I use to hold back on telling people (didn't want to seem bossy), but after my dog got bit on the neck, and has had numerous close encounters since, I refuse to hold back. And neither should you.
Maybe do a little campaigning around the neighborhood. If anyone wants, I am totally willing (especially in the spring when the weather gets nicer) to leaflet the neighborhood reminding people that leash laws are for everyone's safety. It's not preachy, it's kind and humane. We can make a nice little symbol to represent that this is an on-leash community!

So I hope this whole thing wasn't too much like a rant, but I am an all-around pet lover. I have a dog, house rabbit, turtle, and I actively take care of a neighborhood cat. I would hate to see any animal get hurt because of their human's irresponsibility, or our own silence for fear of upsetting someone. I know many of you feel the same. Feel free to offer more suggestions!