Sports Group Opposes Dog Rule Change

A petition to allow off-leash dogs in Vernon’s Marshall Field park is facing opposition from one of the area’s largest sports organizations.

The North Okanagan Youth Soccer Association (NOYSA) has started a counter petition to not allow off-leash dogs between the soccer fields and the creek, which is what dog owner Darlene Hainer called for in her petition presented to Vernon council Jan.21.

NOYSA Executive director Marina Korberg says they’re concerned it will lead to more dogs in the park, and more issues with children’s safety and defecation.

“Our concern is that it will invite more users if they think it’s an off-leash park, and we already have concerns with dogs on the fields. There are signs to have dogs not go on the field, but there is a very small buffer between the actual walk area of the dog park and the field itself, and it’s not fenced,” Korberg tells Beach Radio News.

Korberg, who overlooks the park from her office, says a new fence separating the areas would be one solution.

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“We would request a fence, even the way it is now, with it on-leash,” says Korberg, who says most of the dogs in the park run off-leash now.

“It’s very seldom you see a dog on-leash. This is already happening. It’s just the concern about more dog owners coming here, and that will invite more problems that we’re already facing.”

The soccer petition can be signed in the lobby at the Vernon Toyota Indoor Soccer Centre at Marshall Field.

“If people were to come out just to sign it, it would be available from 4 to 8 pm Monday to Thursday as there is programming here at that time, an d also on the weekend, on Sundays,” says Korberg who says 2,000 youth play soccer, along with adult leagues.

She says they plan to present the petition to Vernon council Feb. 25th.