Project: 80 Atkins Dog Off Leash Park

Project: 80 Atkins Dog Off Leash Park (updated since October 2021)

Chilco / Six Mile residents began discussing this need back in 2019.

Council	2021-04-20	C-50-21	THAT the email dated February 9, 2021 from S. Johnstone, Re: Dogs in Off-leash Parks be referred to staff to prepare a report on the on-leash and off-leash areas in Town parks.	John Rosenberg:	Engineering & Parks	Assigned.

July 2021: Staff survey / report / recommendation to fence off aportion of Chilco Park for off-leash. This failed to gain either residential or Council support. Staff then directed to assess other nearby town owned property in Chilco / Atkins / Six Mile area. Somehow this fell off the To Do list and the off-leash priorities then shifted to Erskine Lane / Watkiss Way area.

January 16 2024 Council staff report suggested 80 Atkins Road

“An off-leash park at this parcel would be a more suitable location than the resident - requested park proposed to be adjacent to the nearby Garry Oak Meadows Park, along Nursery Hill Drive. The 80 Atkins location is also better suited than the Nursery Hill Drive location as it benefits a wider neighbourhood area and reduces environmental and safety risk of a park near a sensitive Garry Oak meadow.”

The new Atkins Roundabout under construction is the perfect location to address this long outstanding community need at the most cost effective time.

The town should no longer allocate land to accommodate Thetis Lake visitor parking needs for the CRD. The last 30 years have seen significant improvements:

sidewalks up Six Mile Road into Thetis Lake Park
#53 bus service now exists with bus stops along Six Mile and at the lake
On street parking now available on Six Mile
E&N / GGT Trails improvements to facilitate cycling park visitors for the region
CRD and municipal Active Transportation Plans call to reduce car use, and promote local walkable amenities. Lessens need to drive to use the View Royal Park off leash area.
New Atkins roundabout provides new cross walks across busy Six Mile and greater accessibility

This location is superior to any other park in the area

Map of the Chilco Park and Garry Oak Meadows area with various locations marked with circles and crosses

Location, location, location

This 500 m radius shows CENTRAL walkable service area, including to/ from Waters Edge and Langford border.

Map showing a 500m radius service area around the proposed Atkins Road location marked with a blue star

Dog off-leash parks are an important local community amenity (like Watiss Way, View Royal Park, Portage Park). There is high demand in Atkins area, but Chilco Park is not the right location for it. Residents are right.

central to Atkins neighbourhood (Atkins, 6 Mile, Chilco, Nursery Hill)
visible and safe
no other park use (children play structures etc.)
not close to / bothering any property owners
easy to supply water, and staff maintain dog bags and trash
Tree shading
Sidewalks and next to GGT / E&N for people to walk their dogs to the location

2017 Park Master plan survey: *The most commonly used amenity in View Royal parks was reported to be walking trails, with 60.5% of respondents stipulating they use them once a week or more. Respondents also frequently used natural areas (55.6%) and off leash dog park areas (35.9%).*

There is still local demand for this amenity. On January 16 Nursery Hill residents have petitioned the town to create an off-leash space in Meadow Park. This is a much better location.

THETIS Lake regional park is not a reasonable option

Already heavily used by dog owners elsewhere with an adverse impact on wildlife and ecosystems
Too far for Water’s edge and townhomes at 300 Six Mile to walk there and back
Trails are not accessible for mobility challenged and seniors (scooters etc)

Back in 2017 there were concerns of too many dogs... impact on children, narrow trails, adverse wildlife impact, inaccessible for mobility challenged etc etc. It has over 500,000 visitors a year, with considerable pressure from Langford’s development as well.

SUMMARY

Chilco / Six Mile / Atkins now has 1200+ residents who since 2020 have asked for an off-leash area. Chilco and Garry Oak Meadow parks are not suitable. This location hits all the Active Transportation principles: central, walkable, safe, accessible, along major trail corridor.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Do not re-instate the 1990s parking lot for CRD.
Ensure the final landscaping of the roundabout includes leveling this site.
If no new funding then allocate sufficient portion of the proposed Chilco Park capital “Nice to have’ improvements towards creating this off-leash park by 2025.

Please fulfill the four year commitment to address this resident requested amenity.

Please add to 2024 budget discussions

Thank you,

John Rogers February 6, 2024