As indicated by Kari Gares, the fence line could follow the orange line from the parking lot, leave the large segment between the diamonds for players and spectators, then follow the new yellow line along the perimeter of the west ball diamond, leaving space for spectators on the west side(image courtesy of the City of Vernon)

By Liam Verster

Fencing Plans

Permanent fence planned at Marshall Fields dog park

Jun 13, 2023 | 5:45 AM

Dog walkers and ball players at Marshall Fields will see a permanent separation in the near future.

At the regular meeting Monday, June 12, Vernon city council approved installing a fence between the dog park and the baseball diamonds.

Council was presented with various plans, the original being installing a four foot fence along the edge of the main irrigated areas of the park.

That would fence off the ball diamonds from the dog park and establish a wedge of area between the two diamonds where dogs would not be permitted and players can use to warm up and practice or spectators can sit and watch the games. This plan would cost $45,000 to complete.

The original plan for the fencing between the dog park and ball diamonds at Marshall Fields (image courtesy of the City of Vernon)

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Council was also presented two alternates. The first would see a fence installed and establish a seven metre area around the entirety of the spectating area of the diamonds for $45,000.

The other plan would have fencing in a small seven metre section around the entire spectator zone of the west field and most of the east field, with the exception of a small gap near the pitching warmup area, with the cost of that work being an estimated $36,000.

The alternate fencing options for between the dog park and ball diamonds at Marshall Fields (images courtesy of the City of Vernon)

After receiving the report, Mayor Victor Cumming proposed a modification to the second alternate, which he indicated would be the best value for the money.

He acknowledged that there have been conflicts between dogs and players and spectators, but said the original plan takes too much space away from the dog owners who use the park year round, as opposed to the diamond users who use it seasonally.

Cumming also suggested having a temporary fence instead of a permanent fixture, as well as having a small fence on the west diamond with a gate.

“So I think in terms of balance, I think what we need to do is start with small fencing in short areas,” Cumming said at the meeting.

“I think there’s some short fences and some very specific areas that will provide separation for spectators between the dog parka and the spectators, and my suggestion is those would be temporary in 2023 so we get the issue separated immediately.”

He also proposed installing some permanent gates that are currently missing from the bullpen areas and the fence at the spectator area of the west diamond adjacent to the batter’s area.

However, most of council disagreed with the mayor.

Coun. Kari Gares suggested moving ahead with the original plan, but with a slight modification to the fencing on the south west corner of the bullpen.

“Instead of going corner to corner, we could go from the gate and meet up at the corner point,” Gares said.

The proposal would see the original plan followed from the parking lot to behind the west ball diamond, at which point it would follow the plans outlined in the alternates.

As indicated by Coun. Kari Gares, the fence line will follow the orange line from the parking lot, leaving the large segment between the diamonds for players and spectators, then follow the new yellow line along the perimeter of the west ball diamond, leaving space for spectators on the west side. (image courtesy of the City of Vernon)

She noted people need a space to set up tents and umbrellas so they have shade when watching games at the park.

Gares also noted it is up to people to control their dogs, even when in off-leash areas. She added dogs would be permitted within the fenced in area on-leash.

Coun. Akbal Mund said dogs have always created problems with all field users and a permanent solution was needed. Brian Quiring agreed with Mund and Gares.

Councillor Brian Guy voiced support for Cumming’s plan, saying he wished to go with the least expensive option.

Mund requested the motion be amended to go with the original option but modified as Gares had indicated.

That matter was put to a vote and passed with Cumming opposed.

The original motion on the table, which was to accept the report to council and move forward with allocating $45,000 and installing the fence, which had been modified, at the park. That matter passed with Guy and Cumming voting against.

Marshall Fields does have an irrigation system, so the proposed fence lines may need to be changed so as to not interfere with those lines.

The fencing cost would be supported through a $10,000 contribution by the Vernon Baseball Association.

No timeline for building the fence was established at the meeting Monday.