Plans for a dog park are moving ahead with a location in mind for the Town of Bonnyville.
After budgeting $39,000 in their 2019 budget for an off-leash dog park, town council instructed administration to move ahead with the plans.
The park will be located east of the Paul Bougie ball diamonds on 47 Ave.
The land is owned by the town, and was previously the location of a temporary work camp, which has since been removed.
CAO Mark Power noted during council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, May 14, a walking path would connect the park to Jessie Lake trail in the future.
While council discussed the location being too remote for dog owners, Coun. Rene Van Brabant felt it was “an ideal spot.”
He said, “It doesn’t matter where you put that dog park, it’s going to be too far away from somebody. There’s a trail walking out to that area. To me, that would be the most logical area. There’s no residences around, and it’s far away from a lot of residents.”
After reaching out to interested parties about a possible location, Coun. Brian McEvoy said “they don’t mind driving, biking, or walking with their animals” as long as pet owners have a place to let their dogs run.
In 2017, pet enthusiast and resident Lorelei Gertz-Cummins started a petition to get a park locally. It had almost 600 signatures in favour of the project.
The support showed there was a need for a dog park in town. She was pleasantly surprised when she spoke with council in December 2017 that it was already included in their budget.
”It was sort of a matter of when and where. Now that the announcement has been made, it’s very exciting news for the community, especially dog lovers,” expressed Gertz-Cummins.
With the town moving ahead with the project, it could address complaints raised regarding pet owners letting their dogs off-leash in the wrong areas and not picking up after them.
”I think it’s important that we do it sooner rather than later,” stressed Coun. Elisa Brosseau. “This would be an ideal location if we want to work with the MD of Bonnyville to do some sort of big recreation park, if the one in the MD doesn’t go off.”
The project is still in the planning process, and Gertz-Cummins is excited knowing what lies ahead for the space.
”From what I’ve seen in the past (in other areas), it has actually brought a lot of community members together because you’re out there and you’re having a good time. It gives people the opportunity, not only to exercise their dogs in a safe environment, but also to get to know other like minded-people in the community.”
Along with offering residents a spot to go with their pets, the park could also attract others to town to enjoy the area.
Administration will work on getting concrete numbers in regards to the cost for fencing before presenting further plans to council.
