Edmonton dog owners demand fence for off-leash park
Some Edmonton dog owners are in a tug of war with city council about fencing the Grand Trunk off-leash park.
Busy roads flank three sides of the grassy Lauderdale neighbourhood park, including 127th Avenue and 109th Street. Regular users want the space fenced in to protect their pooches.
A city report recommends community members should finance the fence through fundraising, donations or private sponsorship. That's according to research for a pilot program called Dogs in Open Spaces by the city's community and public services committee.
Meanwhile, the city should fund standard amenities in the park, such as waste bins and outdoor plants.
Fence would cost $56,000
"This should include planting a dense barrier of trees and/or shrubs between the off-leash area and adjacent roadway," the report reads.
The cost of a chain-link fence is estimated at $56,000, with a $6,563 annual maintenance fee. Standard amenities would cost $270,738, with an estimated $54,049 annual maintenance cost.
Ken Zahara, with the Grand Trunk off-leash dog park committee, said the city is barking up the wrong tree.
"Don't use landscaping to keep the dogs in," he said. "How silly can you be?"
The Grand Trunk committee has been pushing city council for a fence since 2015, Zahara said, and wants to see improvements in two phases that prioritise safety over landscaping.
"The first phase and the most important phase is the safety of the dogs, and building that fence," he said.
Zahara said a new fence would protect people and dogs.
"[Dogs are] like children to a lot of people, and if their dog's in a vulnerable position where it could be killed or something, they're going to run out onto that road to protect their dog."
Motorists also wouldn't have to slam on the brakes if a dog runs into the street, he said.
Raise dog licence fee
As an alternative to taxpayer funding, Zahara said Edmonton could raise its annual dog licence fee by $1 to raise money specifically for dog parks.
Bev Esslinger, whose ward includes the park, said the suggestion isn't unreasonable. But it's just one of numerous funding options for the fence.
"I know they were hoping to get the fence in sooner rather than later," she said. "It's not as fast as they like but we took their concerns very seriously."
Esslinger said a city-funded fence isn't out of the question. Council will discuss the report's findings and recommendations on Monday.
