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Castlegar council to debate future of dog park

A group of neighbouring residents have asked for the closure of the park
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Castlegar City Council will debate the future of the dog park on Oct. 10. Photo: Betsy Kline

Castlegar council will consider relocating the off-leash dog area at Millennium Park following complaints about the area from neighbouring residents.

Jarrod Beck appeared before city council at the Sept. 5 meeting representing “residents of 5th Avenue and 8th Street,” an area that borders Millennium Park’s dog park.

Beck said neighbours of the dog park have had enough of the “public nuisance” that the park has become. He cited dog fights, dog owner fights, off-leash dogs entering private property, dog attacks and constant noise from barking dogs as grievances.

Social media and local gathering places have been buzzing for weeks with passionate arguments on both sides of the dog park debate — close it or keep it. An online petition to save the dog park has also been circulation.

Councillor Cherryl MacLeod, who lives near the dog park herself, brought forward a notice of motion at the Sept. 25 council meeting. The motion calls for “all Millennium Park dog park areas to be closed until such time as staff have reported back to council on the feasibility of relocating the fenced off-leash dog park to a non-residential area for consideration in the 2024 budget.”

The motion means that the issues with the dog park can now be thoroughly discussed at the council table.

“The intent of the motion on the table tonight … will really open up the options of where do we go from here,” explained Mayor Maria McFaddin.

“I think it is important, just like the residents that have brought forward their concerns … that we hear from all residents. It’s good for people on both sides to give their perspectives so that we can have a fulsome conversation.”

During the question period segment of the Sept. 25 council meeting, one local resident spoke in favour of keeping the dog park, as did one person who would like to see it closed.

McFaddin is encouraging local residents to email council with their opinions before the matter is discussed at the next council meeting on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.

READ MORE:

Residents lobby for closure of Castlegar’s dog park

LETTER: Keep Castlegar’s dog park



betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com

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Betsy Kline

About the Author: Betsy Kline

After spending several years as a freelance writer for the Castlegar News, Betsy joined the editorial staff as a reporter in March of 2015. In 2020, she moved into the editor's position.
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