Off leash dog parks are on the horizon for Squamish.

During a Committee of the Whole meeting this week, District of Squamish staff presented Council with a report that was created with the assistance of the Responsible Dog Owners Group of Squamish that suggested 5 off leash parks.

They include the dike area behind the District dog pound, Valleycliffe Dike (Magnolia to Hemlock), a BC Hydro Right of Way near Ray Peters Trail, Judd Slough Dike and Eaglewind Park.

Councillor Karen Elliot says three of the parks are a little more simple to implement in the short term. “The decision of Council was for staff to begin engaging the community on those three proposed dog parks (District dog pound, Valleycliffe Dike and a BC Hydro Right of Way near Ray Peters Trail) and then longer term we would look at implementing the other two.”

Elliot says the locations considered were where people already walk their dogs, different parts of town, as well as areas where there would be less opportunities for conflicts between people and dogs while off-leash. The District will now look to the community for feedback.

The two remaining prospective dog parks are a little more complex. Councillor Elliot says that the District only owns a portion of land at the Judd Slough Dike, the majority is First Nation’s land, and permission would need to be sought. The Eagle Wind Park requires more community consultation before going ahead. Another option staff will be looking into is Seventh Avenue Corridor behind Eagle Wind Park.

Filed under: District of Squamish, Dog Park, Dogs, Squamish