Port Coquitlam will follow Coquitlam’s lead to allow dog owners to walk their off-leash pooches in select parks and trails.
City staff are now surveying residents as to where it can launch its pilot program. The non-fenced locations it’s considering include:
• non-sports field areas around Gates Park;
• Traboulay PoCo Trail, from Gates Park to Pitt River Road;
• Castle Park (south side);
• Skyline Park (off Confederation Drive, from Vivian to Paula places);
• Chelsea Park (north side);
• and Cedar Drive trail, from Lincoln to Prairie avenues.
Staff are also asking for feedback about possible off-leash times at shared sites:
• early morning (before 9 a.m.);
• mid-morning (9 a.m to noon);
• afternoon (noon to 4 p.m.);
• early evening (4 to 7 p.m.);
• and late evening (7 to 9 p.m.).
Currently, PoCo has two fenced-in areas for the city’s 9,000 dogs: the Downtown Dog Off-leash Area and at Shaughnessy Park.
If approved, the shared zones would be identified with signs at all entry points and would state the off-leash dog hours as well as the rules and guidelines for owners; bylaw staff will also patrol the areas during the pilot project.
Currently, Coquitlam allows dogs to walk off-leash along Mundy Park’s forested trails from dawn to 10 a.m.; it’s also planning a new permanent dog off-leash trail loop in the southeast corner of the park — open from dawn to dusk daily — that will link up with the parking lot on Mariner Way, at Chilko Drive.
To have your say on the PoCo site options, fill out the survey at portcoquitlam.ca/offleash by Sept. 24; respondents are eligible to win a $100 gift card to use the city’s recreation facilities.
As well, over the next few weeks, information booths will be set up at city centres, parks and events.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
