Staff Report - Helmcken Centennial Park - Off-Leash Dog Park Request

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT

TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: March 4, 2019 FROM: J. Smith, Engineering Clerk MEETING DATE: March 12, 2019

Helmcken Centennial Park – Off-leash Dog Park Request

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee receive the report entitled “Helmcken Centennial Park – Off-leash Dog Park Request” for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with information in response to a resident request for an off-leash dog park at Helmcken Centennial Park.

BACKGROUND:

Council referred an email dated January 4, 2018, from J. Powell, 140 St. Giles Street to staff for review (Attachment A). The request for an off-leash dog park in Helmcken Centennial Park was proposed as a solution to the convergence of Canada Geese on the park fields.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

Aerial view of Helmcken Centennial Park showing baseball diamonds and proximity to the water

Helmcken Centennial Park consists of four baseball diamonds, a recently upgraded playground, as well as a tennis court. The park borders Portage Inlet, including Tidewater Marsh, a salt water marsh with observation area. Due to this proximity, fields in this park are prone to flooding and drainage issues resulting from tides during non-summer months.

It is staffs’ position that creating an off-leash dog park in Centennial Park would have a detrimental impact on the park for the following reasons:

Damage from dogs including waste, digging, etc. to ball diamonds and fields;
Conflict with playground and other park users;
Increased need for bylaw enforcement;
Conflict between dogs and the many species that rely on the marsh for feeding and/or breeding;
Canada Geese are a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and require a management plan and permit from the Canadian Wildlife Service.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS:

Allowing an off-leash dog park would require an amendment to Bylaw No. 986, A Bylaw Establishing Regulations in Town of View Royal Parks. Currently Section 8 prohibits dogs from entering any sports field facility in a Park Area at any time; or any Environmentally Sensitive Area at any time.

ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

That the Committee request staff investigate a more viable off-leash dog park location, for example Chilco Park where installation of a fence and the addition of dog-pleasing features such as agility stations would allow for a place where dogs could socialize in a safe environment.