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If the Kincardine Dog Owners' Group (KinDoG) has its way, the Ward 1
landfill site will be 'going to the dogs' in a couple of years.
Jacqueline Faubert made a presentation to Kincardine council in
committee-of-the-whole Wednesday night (March 18), urging support and
endorsement of an off-leash dog park to be built within the next year.
"The goal is to enrich the quality of community life through responsible
pet care awareness and the creation and maintenance of a recreational
area where dogs and people can interact in a clean, safe and pleasant
environment," she said. The group would like to use the expansive area
of the Ward 1 landfill site but it is not set for closure for another
two years.
Faubert said the park would not only benefit the dogs and their owners,
but also the Municipality of Kincardine through increased tourism
awareness, and improved compliance with dog-licensing and the
poop-and-scoop bylaw.
"There are 2,200 dogs in Kincardine," she said. "As of February, 968
licences have been purchased. You're losing a lot of money in lost
fees." She said Saugeen Shores, which now has an off-leash dog park, has
seen an increase of $12,000 in dog licences purchased.
Citing that dog park, Faubert said it has been an absolute success since
it opened in August of last year, with 60 dogs per day during the summer
and 30 dogs per day in the winter.
Studies show that such socialization makes for good canine citizens and
improves the mental and physical health of the dog owners, said Faubert.
It also provides a centralized location for owner training, pet
information, and local business synergy including veterinary services
and retail establishments. It provides the elderly and disabled, who own
dogs, with an accessible place to exercise their companions; and it
fosters community and networking. (next column)
21/03/2009 04:52 PM
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"The dog park is an amenity for recreational purposes,
similar to a rink or an outdoor pool," said Faubert. "Pets are great for
socialization. I met my husband while we were walking our pets at a dog
park in Vancouver."
The main concern, she said, is determining the availability of the Ward
1 landfill site for a dog park in Kincardine.
Councillor Guy Anderson said it could be developed in stages as the
landfill is closed.
"Things will happen quickly after the landfill site is established in
Ward 2," said deputy mayor Laura Haight, who chairs the public works
committee. "We could fence up the dog park and have it going, and then
improve it over the next two years."
She said some areas on the west side of the Ward 1 site already have
final cover on them. "It's not accessible to everyone but it could be a
start," she said, adding that she hoped the project could be transferred
to the recreation committee.
"We were hoping you would have the money," said Anderson, who chairs the
recreation committee.
"It's all one taxpayer," said Haight.
Councillor Randy Roppel said there are parcels of municipal land that
could be considered, other than the landfill site.
"A dog park is one of the highest listed uses for old landfills," said
mayor Larry Kraemer. "It's ideal. It could be phased in easily. Portions
of it could be set up by 2010 - develop it in stages to accommodate
different breed sizes. The planning can start any time."
Council agreed to refer the project to the recreation committee which
will work with KinDoG to come up with a basic design and determine
funding and other issues.
So far, costs for the dog park include $500 for a main sign, $50 for
auxiliary signs, $80 for a poop bag station, $400 for a double gate, and
$200 for single gates, plus fencing. KinDoG is hoping the municipality
would consider a loan for start-up costs, while the group gets
fund-raising under way.
Also, council would have to amend its current bylaws which do not allow
for off-leash dogs to run at large in the municipality.
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