Dog owners in Port Coquitlam's downtown neighbourhood have a new off-leash area to run their animals.
A 0.3-acre dog park opened up at Maple Street and Bury Avenue close to Gates and Lions park earlier this week. It will provide dog owners with an alternative to running their animals off-leash on the trails and local sports fields where it is not permitted, the city said.
Because the park is situated near homes and apartment buildings those who use the facility should be mindful of their dog's barking and should only use the off-leash area between dawn and dusk.
Work on the project began on Oct. 12 and was completed earlier this month and a seating area for dog owners is expected to be completed in January.
The city said it hopes the opening of its second off-leash area will increase compliance with the municipality's animal control bylaw, which requires dogs to be leashed in all public spaces other than designated areas.
PoCo residents own an estimated 9,000 dogs and dog off-leash areas were identified as a significant need when the city developed its parks and recreation master plan in 2007.
In early 2010 the city opened its first dog park - the Shaughnessy Street off-leash area - and sites in the Citadel and north-east PoCo area have been identified for future parks.
For more information about PoCo's animal services go to www.portcoquitlam.ca/dogs or go to www.portcoquitlam.ca/dogpark.
FEATURES
Fencing around entire site
double-gated entry area
0.3 acres in size
surfaced in wood chips
seated area to be installed in January 2012
