Estevan dog owners could soon have a second off-leash area to take their canines, as the Estevan Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs are looking to add a dog park to the list of amenities offered in the park they sponsor in the Hillside subdivision.
Adam Beck and Jake Porter from the Kinsmen Club were at Monday night’s meeting of Estevan city council to discuss their vision for the dog area. They would expand the fence in the northwest corner of the park, which is currently vacant.
The park would go in the empty area between the pool and the rink.
“All we’re looking at doing is building a six-foot fence … we don’t have it all staked out or anything like that, but it would roughly require 350 feet of fence to be built. It would be built to any regulations that are present, and whatever the city would propose would be best,” said Porter.
A former member of the Weyburn Kinsmen Club, Porter noted the Kin members in Weyburn are running the dog park in that community.
Designs for the park indicate there would be a small holding pen with a small gate with access from the inside of the main park, and another small gate with access to the dog park. This area would be used to get dogs accustomed to their surroundings.
The holding pen would be located in the southeast corner of the dog park, closest to the existing change room building.
Also in the plans would be a larger gate in the southwest corner of the dog park to provide access for larger equipment such as mowers.
There would also be a small black water tank on a stand that will be used to hydrate animals as they see appropriate. Dog bowls will be provided and water from the tank will be accessed by turning a simple ball valve.
Councillor Travis Frank expressed his support, but he said when he first heard of the project, he thought the park might be too small for a dog park. The Estevan park would be smaller than its counterpart in Weyburn, but Porter said it would still be large enough.
“It might be to our surprise as to how many people use it, but it all depends on usage, too. I think it’s a place to start, and it’s something good that we could use for that space, too,” said Porter.
Councillor Kirsten Walliser said she spoke with a homeowner in the area, because Walliser thought if anyone would have a concern, it would be those living closest to the park. That homeowner replied that when they purchased the house, they knew they would be across from an outdoor rink, which would mean lights and noise.
“They’re quite happy to hear that the city’s exploring an option where they don’t need to get into their vehicle and drive their dog to a dog park. They think this is a really welcome addition to the area.”
Walliser also supports the park, but she requested that council seek the opinions of additional homeowners in the area to get their thoughts before approving the project, but she believes the proposed addition would address a need within city limits.
There has been a dog park inside the free park area of Woodlawn Regional Park since 2016. It has been well used, but the proposed new park would be close to the heart of Estevan and more accessible.
Most people have to drive their dog to the Woodlawn dog park, Porter said. Some people don’t have that option.
“I just see people walking their dogs everywhere. I think it would be a great way for dog owners and pet owners just to be able to walk to a park, let their dog play and walk home,” said Porter.
Rod March, the city’s manager of parks and facilities, said there were a couple of things that were brought up, including the presence of the nearby summer play park program. There would need to be double fence lines adjacent to where kids are playing.
There were also questions around liability for dog bites. The current bylaw says dogs can’t be off leash within the city, so it would have to be changed.
For his part, March is thrilled with the idea, especially since people are taking their dogs in areas where they aren’t off-leash.
“If it were in a place that’s already designated, I think that’s a great thing,” said March.
Mayor Roy Ludwig said pets are fantastic, and if he had a dog, he’d take it down to the park. But he stressed that council wants to make sure the neighbours are OK before giving it their official blessing.
Ludwig appreciates the relationship the city has with the Kinsmen and Kinettes.
“We’ve done jobs with them in the past and it’s always been very successful. We look forward with this one.”
Beck noted that the Kinsmen and Kinettes would be very active in maintaining the dog park, and they wouldn’t take anything from the citizens for park upkeep.
Porter stressed the Kin clubs have worked with the city on many projects within the park, and they’re always looking for new ways to utilize the park and the space that they have.
