In spite of the reservations of Councillor Ross Fisher, Yorkton City Council members have voted in favor of setting up the city's first off leash dog park at Jaycee Beach.
Karen Kulaway Dunlop and Cathie Newans, both members of a local dog park committee, were on hand at Monday evenings regular meeting of council to seek approval for the location and to provide an update of progress.
The committee has been busy at work fund raising to meet a goal of raising $13,000 to help create the park. To date $3,000 has been raised. It's anticipated through raffles, barbecues, contests and an upcoming agility event, the balance of the money will come together. The city has agreed to budget for the additional $25,000 that will be needed to erect fencing and prepare the area. The dog park committee has also secured the services of volunteers to build the fence as well as there is a plan in place to sell advertising to help cover costs.
Darcy McLeod, Yorkton's Director of Community Development, Parks and Recreation, says numerous locations were looked at but the users of the park felt the Jaycee Beach location would best suit needs.
There were eight possible locations says McLeod: Logan Green area; Brodie detention pond; Dracup retention pond; the green space between the Exhibition grounds and Bailey Avenue; the Ravine Ecological Preserve; the former skate park area at Foster Avenue; and, the west side of the Walmart parking lot.
All alternatives were presented at a recent public, open meeting.
"There it was decided that Logan Green would not meet the users' needs... A second meeting was held... where the Jaycee Beach location was discussed and it was agreed that Jaycee Beach was the best location."
McLeod says the Parks Division then met with the Yorkton Minor Baseball (YMB) organization. He says YMB expressed concerns in regards to player distraction and safety.
"They were assured that dogs will not be permitted to be off leash until they were in the enclosed dog park area. The fence will be six feet high and screening will be placed on the fence facing the ball diamonds so that dogs would not be distracted and bark at the ball players. The park will also have an entryway within the compound where dogs will be calmed prior to moving in or out of the park."
Councillor Ross Fisher says in light of the fact there is so much activity in the area and it's increasing with the prevalence of more joggers and the like, he would prefer another area to be looked at.
Council went ahead and voted in favor of the Jaycee beach location.
It was mentioned, the dog park committee will be responsible for ensuring waste is picked up so the city can maintain the grass. There will be no snow removal.
