SUNDRE – It hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park, but residents in search of a local off-leash area for their dogs are one step closer to having a fenced-in area to take their pooches out for a stroll.
Prior to the summer hiatus, council had considered a proposal to green light a temporary off-leash dog park on the TC Energy right-of-way immediately adjacent and to the west of the municipal office building, which is located along Main Avenue West just south of the Highway 27 high-load corridor.
That discussion led to an impasse, with administration at the time ultimately being directed to further investigate the matter including the possibility of alternate locations and seeking further public input during an open house on the east side lands destined to be developed as a four season campground as well as passive outdoor use and recreational area.
Council reconvened on Aug. 14 during a special meeting to discuss the project and consider a report presented by administration, which subject to TC Energy’s approval recommended proceeding with the original proposal to use the company’s right-of-way as the temporary location until a more suitable location becomes available for a permanent off-leash dog park.
The recommended motion, which council carried, directed administration to proceed with the project at a cost not to exceed $21,587 plus GST.
According to background information outlined in the special meeting’s agenda package, which is available in full on the municipality’s website, the June 27 public open house regarding the east side lands was well attended. But out of the dozens of people who dropped by, only a few expressed support for a dog park in that area.
“Apart from the comments received at the east side campground open house, we have received four requests for a dog park over the past few years; three from town residents and one from a county resident,” reads part of the background.
And while the developer of a residential project in Sundre’s southwest had offered a portion of that land for use as a dog park, it was determined the area is unsuitable “as future development would have the park immediately adjacent to residential properties.”
Furthermore, developing a permanent dog park there would necessitate upgrades to 6th Street SW as well as the construction of a parking lot, while incurring an increased cost to construct the fence and gate along four sides of the parcel. Although the developer intends to eventually upgrade the street south of the Sundre Seniors’ Supportive Living centre, that work will occur at an as-yet determined date during the residential development phase.
So for expediency’s sake and to start testing out the temporary location sooner than later, administration again recommended the location it had previously suggested atop the TC Energy right-of-way.
Parking for dog owners will be located on the east side of the municipal office with access to the park through a gate, and pooches will have to be kept on a leash until they are within the confines of the fenced-in area.
The plan also calls for an equipment gate to enable access for mowing equipment at the park’s north end. The municipality’s community services department already mows the pipeline parcel five times a year.
Administration also reported that the selected contractor recommended installing a four-foot chain link fence using existing fencing, and added that a crossing application has already been submitted to TC Energy since the fence posts will be driven into a depth of almost 0.8 metres, or 30 inches.
“A non-disturbance style of fencing is not recommended as safety issues may occur with unfavourable weather conditions,” reads another part of administration’s report. “Use of page wire was considered as it may be less expensive than chain link; however, the recommendation is that it not be used as it can be unstable, would not be able to withstand Sundre’s snow load and small dogs may escape through the holes in the wire.”
TC Energy has also expressed a preference to maintain the land in its natural state, which is to say a grassy field with no gravel being added. Additionally, clearing snow throughout the winter will not be an option as the equipment is even heavier than the lawnmower.
Administration’s proposal came complete with a budget that outlined the cost of fencing and gates, signs, doggie bag dispenser, bags, as well as a waste bin.
The original cost of the temporary park, which had been projected to reach around the range of $30,000, decreased as a result of a change in plans to move away from more expensive non-disturbance style fencing.
Users will also be expected to pick up their pooches’ poops and limit other people’s pets potential exposure to disease by ensuring their animals are fully vaccinated or to keep them home if unwell. They should also be prepared to take measures to mitigate the risk of aggressive behaviour through positive training methods.
“Users should be notified that failure to keep this area free of dog waste could result in the closure of the park,” states part of administration’s report.
While users are welcome to bring water from home, they are urged not to share their source as it could be a source of diseases transmission.
“Water will not be provided (at the site),” reads the report. “All use of the site will be at the owner’s own risk.”
In response to follow-up questions, Betty Ann Fountain, senior development officer, told the Albertan on Aug. 23 there as of yet was a construction timeline in place nor an anticipated opening date.
“An exact date for construction of the required fencing of the temporary dog park is unavailable at this time, as we must follow TC Energy protocols for locating underground infrastructure before the fencing can be installed,” she said.
“We will continue to coordinate this work with TC Energy and a local fencing contractor with the intent that the park will open for use by town residents in the near future.”
