Port Coquitlam’s experiment with unfenced areas where dogs can be off leash in city parks has received thumbs up from canines, their owners, park-users and city council.
This week PoCo announced the formal implementation of the new leash-optional areas — unfenced areas that are shared by the general public and residents with off-leash dogs — after a successful 15-month pilot of the concept at Skyline and Chelsea parks.
Now the city will be adding a new leash-optional area in a western portion of Castle Park, a distance away from the spray park and playground.
According to a press release the additional area was added as a third permanent location to meet demand and based on feedback.
The new shared spaces add to the city’s supply of off-leash areas which includes two fenced dog parks, one downtown off Maple Street, and the other in north Port Coquitlam on Shaughnessy Street opposite Chester Place.
Overall public support has prompted the addition of areas where pooches can run free in PoCo, with a pre-pilot survey showing 70% of 1,603 respondents in favour of expanding the off-leash dog park network.
MINOR COMPLAINTS
Only minor complaints were made about the pilot at Skyline and Chelsea while bylaw officers found that users were complying with the requirements to remain on-site, keep their dogs under control, clean up after them and ensure they are not violent or aggressive.
Still, some adjustments had to be made to the locations at Skyline and Chelsea parks while Castle Park will see the addition of bag dispensers, waste receptacles and signage outlining the extent of the leash-optional area and rules for use.
The initiative is part of a city-wide effort to make parks more usable for more people and pets.
The city, home to about 8,000 registered dogs, began investigating additional off-leash areas in 2018 as a cost-effective way to address growing demand and relieve the pressure on Port Coquitlam’s two fenced dog parks, which can be busy during peak times.
Off-leash dogs are regularly seen in city parks and trails, raising concerns about safety, dog waste, and damage to sports fields and ecological areas.
The leash-optional concept has been implemented successfully in other Metro Vancouver communities. Additional sites may be considered in the future in Port Coquitlam, according to the city.
MORE USE OF PARKS
Also in recent weeks, the city has made it possible to drink alcohol at some PoCo parks.
people are now allowed to consume liquor at Castle, a portion of Settlers, Gates, Lions, Aggie, Evergreen and Cedar Drive parks until Oct. 31 in a four-month pilot.
Plans are also in the works to also add a ‘Whimsical Garden’ at Lions Park, according to the city’s most recent capital plan.
The new addition will include accessible trails, naturalized plantings, garden follies and a public art piece and is slated for completion by the end of the year.
