A recommendation is being brought to Kincardine council tonight to look at enhancements to the existing off-leash dog park and to consider an additional dog park.
A report coming to council tonight requests, based on collected survey results and research staff conducted, the Inverhuron Bike Park continues to run as a destination for active transportation.
In addition staff would also investigate, as part of the 2023 budget deliberations, enhancements to the existing off-leash dog park which could include an area for small dogs and additional access points.
The recommendation would also have staff consider an off-leash dog park at the Tiverton Sports Centre. This would be looked at if there is enough support from residents for a stewardship program, and successful fundraising campaign led by community members.
This follows an initial 2021 motion, which had council direct staff to prepare a report on the conversion of the Inverhuron Bike Park to an off-leash unfenced dog park using existing bike trails.
Staff set up a survey for Feb. 11 to determine what the community thought about having a second off-leash dog park in Kincardine. Over 160 responded to the survey and combined with the research conducted, led staff to present these recommendations.
The report says the success of a potential park is heavily reliant on a stewardship program to advance the health, vitality and infrastructure needs of an off-leash dog park, as well as motivate, empower and assist local dog park users in creating off-leash areas. If there would be no such group, the responsibility would fall on municipal staff and the tax payers to sustain the dog park.
The report mentions in the case of the Kincardine Off-Leash Dog Park at 440 Bruce Ave., the Kincardine Dog Owners Group (KinDOG) raised enough funds to install fencing, cedar posts, two gates, poop and scoop containers, and signage.
The survey found no strong commitments to become part of the stewardship program, however, if a new dog park were to be considered, or any strong commitment to fundraise for a new park. The report says these could be further investigated based on direction from council.
Staff have also investigated other potential municipal properties in the area to see if they are suitable, should council wish to construct a second dog park.
Council will meet at 5 p.m. tonight.
