It seems a group of Penticton dog owners was barking up the right tree when it approached city council two months ago with a comprehensive plan to open up more park space for their furry friends.
Major elements of that plan, including new off-leash areas and improvements to existing dog parks, were approved Tuesday by city council.
“This is what it’s all about – quick collaboration,” said Coun. Ryan Graham, who applauded People for Pets for its approach.
The capital cost of improvements to six existing parks – upgrades range from water fountains and lights to new surfacing and shade structures – is pegged at $200,000, which will be drawn from the city’s gaming reserve account. The work is scheduled to begin next year.
Increased maintenance is expected to add upwards of $20,000 in annual operating costs.
Those moves were supported unanimously by council.
The other major change approved by council by a 5-2 vote is to run a six-month pilot project starting April 1, 2024, to allow dogs to run off-leash in designated areas of five public spaces: Riverside Park, Okanagan Lake Park, Skaha Park East, Skaha Park Main and the entrance to the water treatment plant at 1900 Penticton Ave.
Public works manager Len Robson flagged a host of potential problems that could arise from off-leash dogs in public areas – “Some people believe their dogs are wonderful and they’re really not,” he said – but noted the project could be shut down at a moment’s notice if necessary.
Coun. Campbell Watt and James Miller, who cast the opposing votes, suggested the pilot project should start in just two locations and expand from there.
Robson countered, however, that offering five off-leash spaces should reduce the chance of overcrowding at any one spot, and that signage and a public education campaign will be in place before the project starts.
“I’m not in the habit of giving legal advice,” Coun. Amelia Boultbee, who is indeed a practising lawyer, “but I will predict that (the Municipal Insurance Association of B.C) will probably tell us that if we put out a sign that says, ‘Use at your own risk,’ that will probably resolve liability issues.”
