Hello, I am Robin Crowder, working toward Alcona Dog Park in Innisfil. I have been striving for almost a year now toward the very same goal. I ran my municipal election campaign on the Dog Park platform, also, and gathered widespread support, and although I did not win my seat on Council, I promised to forge ahead no matter the outcome and that is exactly what I have done. I brought the quest to Council back in December, and it has gone through the feasibility study process. Council has now passed the motion to the Dog Park Committee stage and we are now accepting applicants to the Off Leash endeavor. I have many ideas on how to go about fund-raising, etc. Perhaps we could share thoughts. I wish you all the luck.
| Essa resident wants park for pooches |
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By Brad Pritchard Simcoe.com Feb 22, 2011 ESSA TOWNSHIP - Council heard not one, but two proposals at its committee of the whole meeting last week for the creation of off-leash dog parks. Resident Angie Wishart, a dog owner for 40 years, told council she has been inspired to create a dog park in the township after making several visits up to Collingwood and Wasaga Beach with her pooch to enjoy the off-leash parks offered there. “Why should I be driving 20 minutes to use their facility when we can have a similar one here?” she asked rhetorically. Wishart said she has been in talks with friends, other dog owners she crosses paths with, and local pet businesses such as groomers, veterinarians and food suppliers, and so far everyone has been supportive of her idea. While no location was proposed, it has been suggested the area be distanced from schools or playgrounds where children play, along with residential areas to avoid potential conflicts. As for size, she suggests the park could be at least half an acre or larger, but points to the Wasaga Beach dog park as a suitable model, which measures approximately one quarter of an acre. She also said that it would need to be surrounded by a five-foot chain link fence with a double-gated entry. While she didn’t present cost estimates, she said she would be looking to the township for financial support, but that recreation grants may also help things along. She proposed local pet businesses could be given the opportunity to buy advertising space on the fences, at a cost she arbitrarily came up with at $1,000 per year. According to the parks and recreation department of the Town of Wasaga Beach, the cost to build its dog park included $3,000 for fencing and a couple hundred dollars to install a waterline to the park. The town provides poop bags to owners who use the park at a an annual cost of approximately $3,000, but council may be looking at passing that cost onto the owners. As for advertising, the park has sold space to four local businesses, which draws in $150 each per year, for a total of $600. Wishart also noted that the park could inadvertently make more people licence their dogs, something that would be enforced at the off-leash area. While not a self-proclaimed “expert” in the issue, she argued that the park could become a “huge recreational asset to the families nearby as well as the entire community…” Mayor Terry Dowdall liked what he heard and said council and township staff will explore the feasibility of the idea. “We can look at it when we start talking about our strategic plan next month. At that time we can have more discussion,” he said. The idea was received well by Ward 1 Coun. Keith White who has visited the off-leash area at Sunnidale Park in Barrie. He said he quite enjoyed the rolling landscape and natural features of the park. “It was a great experience,” he said. The full proposal can be viewed under the Feb. 16 council agenda on the township’s website. Meanwhile, another resident will be making a proposal to Base Borden to create its own off-leash dog area.
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