Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas (D.O.L.R.A.s) in Barrie Presented - PDF document

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas (D.O.L.R.A.s) in Barrie Presented by: Parks Planning & Development Section Date: June 25, 2009 Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Purpose To determine the level of public interest in new DOLRA locations throughout Barrie A visitor waiting for a dog park.

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Outline I. Background II. New Sites III. Next Steps Insert Photo A walk for humans, a run for the dogs in the Sunnidale Park DOLRA, and fresh winter air for all. Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Background 1. An Overview of Dog Parks 2. History on Barrie’s First DOLRA 3. Where we are now Insert Photo Centennial Park at the waterfront: Many people in Barrie own dogs and enjoy walking them in parks all year long. BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas An Overview of Dog Parks What is a dog park? A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners. Benefits (Source: Wikipedia) 1. Promoting responsible dog ownership 2. Socialization and exercise for dogs (which leads to a healthier dog in both mind and body), 3. Bringing dogs and owners together in neutral territory, which can reduce fear and aggression in dogs 4. Offering elderly and disabled citizens a place to exercise their companions 5. Accommodating dogs and their owners in a public open space (this has been shown to lead dog owners to higher levels of compliance with relevant laws). 6. Even in a designated leash-free zone, dogs must remain under control, which means, the dog remains close to its handler (within sight and earshot) and responds to voice commands. All dogs remain the responsibility of the owner at all times. BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Overview - Types of Programmed Uses • LOW PROGRAMMING - Natural areas having few features available. Typically more remote location of City or within an existing park with little impact on residents such as Sunnidale Park. Potential sites include Huronia Buffer and Barrie Molson Centre. • MEDIUM PROGRAMMING - Urban type park where existing park programming is low, space is available and location fits into local neighbourhood and is currently being used “informally”. Features could include separate play areas, shade, water service, available parking and lighting . Several potential sites are Brock, Assikinack, Holly Community and Golden Meadow Parks. • HIGH PROGRAMMING - Large, separate active play areas could include medium programming in along with potential agility course elements such as ramps, jumps and tunnels for more intensive animal workouts. BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas One Example of a High Activity Dog Park Bramalea Limited Community Park, Brampton • High, active space with agility equipment. • Separate small dog area with equipment. • Shade and water provided. • Site completely fenced off from rest of park (field use). • Dog waste collected in separate container. BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Overview - Potential Types & Features A proposed Dog Park could include features such as: - 4' to 6‘ high fencing - double-gated entry and exit points - benches for humans - shade for hot days - parking close to the site - Water service for drinking - covered trash cans/garbage container for dog waste disposal - regular maintenance and cleaning of the grounds - wheel-chair accessibility - separate enclosure for small dogs. • Potential access to water for swimming Source: Wikipedia BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Barrie’s first DOLRA – History to where we are now 1. June 2001 - Council adopted Motion 01-G-211 directing staff to investigate the merits of establishing a DOLRA. 2. Public Information Centre (PIC) - October 2001 & March 2002 – At the first PIC, 106 questionnaires were collected from the public including a petition of over 900 signatures in favour of a DOLRA. – Public response indicated strong support in establishing a location. – A Citizen Committee was struck to identify and recommend preferred sites; five were chosen and presented at a second PIC. 3. Citizen Committee and Report – The Citizen Committee reviewed the public input and through a final report and presentation to Council, identified Sunnidale Park as the preferred pilot project site. – Two (2) alternative locations also chosen: Huronia Road Buffer and Brock Park (order of preference). 4. Sunnidale Park Location Approved (September 2002) – Council adopted amended Motion 02-A-419 approving the creation of a DOLRA in Sunnidale Park as a pilot project. BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Barrie’s first DOLRA – History to where we are now 5. Review and Follow-up on Pilot Project (2004 to 2006) – a total of 43 letters were received including 1 petition with 61 signatures requesting that other DOLRA sites in Barrie be opened. – Concerns expressed for Sunnidale Park included intense use, slope erosion, no parking close by, lack of water (drink or play), unsuitable for small dogs, accessibility difficult for elderly and mobility challenged users and some owners were bringing aggressive dogs. – “Wish” list items included more dog parks (south end & close to the waterfront), more open space for Frisbee/ball play and higher fences for snowfall depth. 6. Staff Report to Council (Spring 2008) – Engineering & Parks Planning staff reviewed three (3) locations in the south end of Barrie for suitability as potential DOLRA locations namely Huronia Road Buffer, Molson Centre and the east end of Allandale Station Park. Allandale Station site recommended to Council for approval as the City’s 2 nd DOLRA based on: – • Four season usage, high level of exposure • Accessible , flat location with available space for parking • Central location; can combine agility activity with walks along the Waterfront Trail. BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Barrie’s first DOLRA – Where we are now? 7. Where are we now? – The recommended Allandale Station location was referred back to Staff for additional review. – As the first 2 PIC’s were held over six (6) years ago, City staff felt that current public input on new DOLRA locations was warranted. – Current dog park designs to be investigated by Staff as alternate programming to Sunnidale Park at alternate locations through the City. – One (1) or more locations could be recommended back to Council for consideration in the 2010- 2019 future Capital Budgets. – Of the previous DOLRA sites investigated by City staff (Huronia Road Buffer, Brock Park, Barrie Molson Centre and Allandale Station Park), three (3) additional park sites in the south end of Barrie were considered for public input being: – Holly Community Park – Assikinack Park – Golden Meadow Park BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Sites Reviewed a. Brock Park b. Assikinack c. Huronia Buffer d. Golden Meadow Park e. Barrie Molson Centre Lands f. Holly Community Park g. Allandale Station Park Insert Map BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Allandale Station Park Proposed Features • Easy access to waterfront trails and parks. • Parking lot area available on site. • Potential for high level active use without impacts on residents. • Provides for a dedicated space along the waterfront by potentially removing existing concerns from within the adjacent Gables Park. • Accessible location. Issues • Higher level of design standard due to prominent waterfront location. • May require higher level of maintenance if well used. BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas Assikinack Park Proposed Features • Contains under-utilized court facility – possible conversion to fenced dog area (asphalt removed, compacted granular base to remain) • Potential parking lot access from School driveway. • Local water service available. • Potential for medium to high level programming with agility equipment. • Plant material screening required for adjacent neighbours. Issues • Single gate entry – could have additional fencing to provide secure access/ egress as this location is adjacent to a Public School. • Winter maintenance difficult with granular surface. • No available lighting. BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS