Chestermere residents are for sure a pretty passionate group when it comes to their canine family members. On any given day, no matter if it’s sunny +30 or a freezing -30, residents can be seen taking advantage of Chestermere’s pathways and taking their beloved pooch for a walk.
Over the years, the northwest are of the lake has organically become an off leash dog park. With no actual regulations or signage, it simply became the place to go to take your dogs for their off leash stroll. But as the public has made it loud and clear that they would like a dedicated off leash park, the city is now looking to residents to tell them what they would like to see as they work on making this an official off leash park.
“City staff are collecting information about the current off-leash area in order to ensure our park spaces are welcoming and respectful for all park and trail users,” said Katelyn Richards, Community Recreation Coordinator at the City of Chestermere.
Richards went on to explain that she has already conducted focus groups with animal experts (veterinarians, animal trainers etc.) to get their thoughts on off-leash/dog park etiquette, park safety and dog owner responsibilities. “We want to make this a multi-use space for those that want to bring their dogs here, but also for those that want to enjoy the area but don’t have a dog”.
The project has now moved into the next step which is an online survey which asks questions to surrounding concerns, needs and expectations for off-leash spaces in Chestermere. The online survey is accessible now and the city is encouraging all residents, whether you’re a dog owner or not, to complete it. “Your input is very important to evaluate the current space and plan for future park spaces in Chestermere”. The survey will be open until March 24th and can be taken by visiting www.chestermere.ca/offleash
Chestermere’s current off-leash area is located along the northwest side of the Lake with parking available at John Peake Park. The off-leash area does not start until you reach the pathway just in front of the library and ends before the entrance to Lakepoint Drive.
New signage has begun to go up at the park entrances and throughout the park to help define the boundaries of the space and remind users of their responsibilities. Dogs must be on-leash until you reach the off-leash area signs located at all entrances into the Park. Dogs must be placed on leash before exiting the off-leash area as well.
Enforceable Rules of the off leash park are:
•Handlers must have complete control of their dogs at all times.
•Handlers must pick-up after their dogs.
•Dogs must have a City dog license tag
If you do not have your dog licensed you can find the Dog Licence Application Form on the City of Chestermeres website, will in the form and submit payment to the Municipal Office. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered: $35. Dogs that have not been altered: $55. Registrations expire each year on December 31st.
The last step in the project is that the information collected from the survey will be addressed in an off-leash workshop open to Chestermere residents. More information about the workshop will be made available shortly.
“We are thrilled to have the ability to connect with residents and get their valued feedback on the current off-leash area and trail,” said Richards.
Following the survey and workshop, Parks and Recreation will present Council with recommendations provided from this consultation process and their research in May 2016. A copy of the report will be released to the community.
