Marshal Fields fence (Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

dogs vrs baseball

Council takes another look at dog fencing in park

Jun 12, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Vernon council will try to find an an acceptable option to separate dogs and baseball participants at Marshall Fields.

The elected reps will discuss a staff recommendation to install 330 metres of new fencing in the park between the off-leash dog park and the baseball diamonds. It’s the same recommendation made by staff last month.

The city’s manager of parks and public spaces, Kendra Kryszak, is suggesting the city spend $35,000, plus use $10,000 donated by Vernon Baseball to fund the new fence.

“The current situation may create a potential liability issue for the City of Vernon if it is not addressed,” Kryszak stated in an earlier report to city council.

Kryzsak said city administration has received a number of complaints regarding the uncontrolled interaction between dogs and baseball field users at that location. Those include dogs peeing on spectator’s lawn chairs and equipment, and young ball players being frightened by aggressive dogs.

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The original staff recommendation was discussed by council in late May but was sent back for more options by Mayor Victor Cumming.

“In conversation with users, they all requested a variety of options, made suggestions of different options, so seeing it was just a single option, I felt it was important we give staff a bit more time to come up with options,” Cumming told Vernon Matters.

The staff report for council’s June 12 meeting proposes two other possible options for the fencing, but both may need irrigation equipment to be moved.

One of the options would be less expensive, coming in at $36,000 for 270 metres of fencing.