Dog Options Considered For Park

Feb 11, 2019 | 9:19 AM

It would be a pricey fix.

Vernon city staff say putting up a fence and gates between the playing fields at Vernon Creek at Marshall Fields could cost anywhere from 35-to-60-thousand dollars.

A delegation of dog owners that appeared before council last month suggested that fix as one option to allow their animals an area to run free.

Currently dogs must remain on a leash to ensure their don’t foul the playing fields, although many people are said to ignore that rule.

While councillors won’t make a decision on a fence at today’s regular meeting, they are being asked to okay six-thousand dollars in spending on an environmental assessment of Marshall Fields.

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RECOMMENDATION:

That council direct administration to prepare options for its consideration for an off-leash dog area at Marshall Fields after consultation with the user groups, assessing the current amenities and an environmental assessment of the area.

And further, that council authorize up to $6,000 for an environmental assessment of Marshall Fields, to be funded from the Parks Reserve.

Staff say an environmental assessment would provide information for the fencing alignment.

However the report to council states: “The preliminary rough estimate for the construction of fencing and gates is $35,000 to $60,000 (with contingency), dependent on the final design.”

Staff also warn that if the situation is left as it is, there will like be continued conflict between dog owners and sports groups who use the fields.

Twenty-six tickets were issued by dog control in Marshall Fields between April 14, 2018 and January 29, 2019.

Seven tickets issued were for “dog in park” (dog on a playing field) and four tickets were for “dog at large” (dog being farther than hands reach and not responding to owner’s voice command).

A number of tickets were issued for dogs without a license.

by Kate Bouey