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

SLIDE 1

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.

SLIDE 2

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

SLIDE 3

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas

An Overview of Dog Parks

What is a dog park?

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
wners 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.

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.

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

SLIDE 4

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

SLIDE 5

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 2nd 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

SLIDE 6

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

SLIDE 7

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

SLIDE 8

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas

Barrie Molson Centre Lands

Proposed Features

Large natural area with woodlot
Contained within employment lands (commercial/Industrial area).
Available parking on site.
Central location in the south end of the City

Issues

Wooded area along Mapleview Drive is not fenced.
Gated parking access into site – Operational logistics to be reviewed.
Potential impacts from adjacent Storm Water Management Pond during

“Park Place” upgrades.

Trails are not accessible.
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority regulated area.

BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas

Brock Park

Proposed Features

Good existing use (not currently a designated site)
Central Downtown location
Potential future link to the waterfront parks via creek corridors
Limited use due to former landfill site (limitations being assessed by

Environmental Services Branch)

Open flat space, good visibility

Issues

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority regulated area.
May require higher level of maintenance if well used.

BACKGROUND COUNCIL DIRECTION NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

SLIDE 9

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas

Golden Meadow Park

Proposed Features

Large neighbourhood park with observed off leash dog use.
Potential as a smaller dog off leash area due to size.
Park used in winter as outdoor natural ice rink.
Parking and water service available on site.
Accessible south-eastern location in the City.

Issues

Small location could be over-utilized requiring higher levels of

maintenance.

BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas

Holly Community Park

Proposed Features

Recreation Centre destination – washrooms available in building.
Site currently used by the public for dog exercises (walking, off leash).
Available parking and water service on site.
Centrally located in the south-west end of City.
Accessible location.

Issues

Residential properties along south limit of park.
Potentially only one area for both large and small dogs.
Location is wooded; no open space for “games” - ball throwing/Frisbee.

BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

SLIDE 10

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas

Huronia Buffer

Proposed Features

Large open natural area within employment lands (commercial/industrial

area).

Currently accessed through walkway from Bristow Court.
Water service available but connections to site has limitations.
Future recreational trail connection opportunity into Lackie’s Bush.

Constraint

Parking lot access complicated from Huronia Road with railway corridor

crossing.

Residential properties along north boundary of site.
Higher costs to implement due to railway crossing, vegetation buffer,

parking lot and fencing.

BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas

Next Steps

Evaluations and Staff Report for Committee and Council Approvals

A visitor to the Sunnidale Park DOLRA in Spring

1. Summarized results with

recommendations to Community Services Committee in late Summer 2009.

2. Council Review and/or Approval in

September 2009.

3. Once approved, include work plan into

2010 Capital Budget.

4. Tender and construction recommended

site(s) in Spring 2010 for summer

pening.

BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS

SLIDE 11

Dog Off Leash Recreation Areas

Other Suggestions?

Where would you like to see a DOLRA in Barrie? Are there specific features you would like?

Insert Photo

Winter play with friends at the Sunnidale Park DOLRA. BACKGROUND NEW SITES NEXT STEPS