PICKERING -- When Nicole Scarlett moved to Pickering from Calgary, she was shocked to find her new home lacked an off-leash dog park, and saw it forced otherwise law-abiding citizens to break municipal bylaws for dogs to get proper exercise. "And that's not a good position to be in," she said.
So she's been working hard for the past couple of years to get one in Pickering. In July 2006 Ms. Scarlett was a founding member of the first volunteer working group to establish a leash-free park in Pickering. Now that four areas have been established after much research, the working group and the City are collecting public feedback for a report to council in June. At that meeting council could approve the proposed dog park for a six-month trial period.
The potential sites selected are: Pine Grove; Diana, Princess of Wales Park; Wharf Street; and Valley Farm Road. Ms. Scarlett explained the working group volunteers will help establish park rules, repair damaged areas, organize regular clean-ups, monitor the area to help enforce the rules and educate users and non-users.
"Every park has rules," she said. "That's what makes them enjoyable for everyone."
At the meeting, resident Gerald Desroches, whose yard backs onto Diana, Princess of Wales Park, shared his concerns, including ensuring dogs are on a leash until safely in the fenced-off area; ensuring dog waste is cleaned up; and the proposed park's proximity to a playground and soccer field.
Lindsey Brenner, supervisor of Pickering Animal Services, said all dogs will have to be walked on a leash until entering the area and that will be enforced. She also mentioned dog waste receptacles will be at the site; that's included in the $30,000 set aside for the area in the 2008 budget. She said the park will not be close to other public-use areas.
"Yeah, you might be able to see it but it's far enough away for our requirements," Ms. Brenner said.
Working group member Karin Hiscock said if dogs defecate in off-leash parks and the owner doesn't clean it up, others there usually ask if they need a bag, and it's rare such rule-breaking goes unnoticed.
"In my experience the off-leash parks are usually cleaner," she said.
Mr. Desroches also asked why dogs have to be off the leash in order to get proper exercise. Ms. Scarlett said most dogs need a minimum of 45 minutes of cardiovascular exercise each day.
"Most of the time walking a dog on a leash doesn't meet the cardiovascular exercise they need," she said.
Ms. Hiscock added exercise "gets their little 'noodles' (brains) working."
Ms. Scarlett emphasized the importance of having dogs leashed in non-designated areas at all times and obeying Pickering's current animal bylaws.