The Vancouver Park Board’s path to puppy paradise has entered its home stretch, as the second round of public consultation is slated to kick off this week, weather permitting.
The first of eight open houses was slated for Wednesday, Feb. 8, but cancelled due to the snowfall. The next meeting on the docket is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Yaletown Roundhouse Community Centre from 1 to 4 p.m.
Phase 2 of the strategy, called Parks and Dogs: A Strategy for Sharing Vancouver’s Parks, focuses on five key recommendations that came out of the first round of feedback compiled in the fall of 2016.
Those areas include: design and amenities, establishing clear boundaries,; improving access, offering variety and encouraging stewardship.
The first phase of consultation ran between September and October 2016. During that time 4,373 public and stakeholder interactions were received. More than 200 off-leash dog park users were also interviewed and best practices from 12 other North American cities were examined. A telephone survey of 400 residents was also conducted.
Out of that process comes a 40-page document outlining recommendations and next steps. There are more than 240 parks in the city, all of which permit dogs on leash. There are 36 off-leash areas, six of which are fenced and three are on beaches.
Accessibility is a central theme in the strategy moving forward. The report aims to ensure that Vancouverites can access neighbourhood off-leash areas within a one-kilometre radius, or a 15-minute walk, from their homes.
Another point calls for “destination off-leash areas” being located within a 35-minute walk or short drive.
Underserved areas cited in the plan include the West End, Downtown, Kitsilano, Fairview, Mount Pleasant and Grandview-Woodland. Those neighbourhoods will be prioritized under the revamped plan. The idea of a universal code of conduct is also being floated to keep the peace between both dog owners and other park users. The proposed language includes clauses that all dogs must be licensed, all litter be picked up and that nuisance barking and aggressive behaviour be monitored and mitigated at all times.
Sore spots cited in the feedback process include dog waste not being picked, conflict between dogs, dog owners and other park users, the variety of off-leash park types and the distribution of those parks throughout the city. Fines for animal bylaw offences start at $250.
Feedback on Phase 2 of the plan is being sought until March 10. Residents can weigh in online or at open houses. A listen of the open house dates can be found online at vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/people-parks-dogs-strategy.aspx.
A draft strategy will go to before the park board in the spring.
