Begging for a dog park

Town staff fetching ideas for proposed off-leash sites
By Chris Simon Innisfil Scope December 15 2010
Robin Crowder wants council to toss local residents, and their dogs, a bone.
The Alcona resident has been advocating for a dog park in the municipality since well before the election campaign. She’s created a website, and circulated a petition on the matter. Once she decided to run for the Ward 4 seat in October’s municipal election, the park quickly became one of her main platform planks.
“I made a commitment to work towards a leash-free place for dogs where it’s needed,” said Crowder. “It became apparent this is not just a ward issue, but a community (one). I’m continuing to work towards this worthwhile endeavour.”
Now, it seems, town council is hearing Crowder’s call. On Wednesday, council asked staff to investigate the feasibility of creating dog parks in urban centres throughout the municipality.
“Alcona has the largest dog population (in Innisfil),” said councillor Rod Boynton. “Off-leash dog parks are not currently included in urban planning in Innisfil. Dogs running loose in regular parks cannot be tolerated. There’s no question we have an intense population of dogs in town; it has become problematic, I have the scars to prove it. We need to do something about this.”
Others heard similar requests for a park from residents throughout the municipality during the campaign.
“I was asked during the campaign about this,” said councillor Ken Simpson. “I had no idea there was a desire for it, but I know that now. Barrie has done considerable research into this … they have a citizens’ committee, and high and low activity parks.”
The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority — which recently opened a dog park near the Scanlon Creek Education Centre — and community members may be engaged in the process, to help determine the best possible locations for parks, said mayor Barb Baguley.
“This is one of those issues that would be best handled in the community, by a committee,” she said. “It’s an Innisfil issue.”
For more information on Crowder’s dog park plans, visit www.alconadogpark.ca.