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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPDS-037-26Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: May 4, 2026 Report Number: PDS-037-26 Authored by: Andrei Micu – Manager, Park Design and Development Submitted By: Darryl Lyons, Deputy CAO, Planning and Infrastructure Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number: Resolution Number: File Number: Report Subject: North Bowmanville Dog Park Update Recommendation: 1.That Report PDS-037-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2.That Guildwood Park be endorsed as the location for a new off-leash dog park, and Staff be directed to initiate a community engagement process to inform the design prior to construction; 3.That a project budget of $195,553.89 be authorized, and funded from the Parks and Recreation Development Charge Reserve Fund; 4.That an annual operating budget increase of $5,000 for maintenance and inspections, funded through the Public Works operating budget, be approved; and 5.That all interested parties listed in Report PDS-037-26, and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. GG-093-26 Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report PDS-037-26 Report Overview 1. Background 1.1 At the March 24, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, Council passed Resolution #C-066-25 which resolved: That Report PDS-002-25, and any related delegations or communication items, be received for information; That Staff be directed to report back to a future Planning and Development Committee with recommendations for a new dog park when municipal lands, that meet the criteria outlined in the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan (PRCMP), become available in north Bowmanville; and That Staff be directed to bring forward a budget request through the appropriate annual budgeting process for the new dog park location, when available, and in the meantime return the remaining budget of $195,553.89 to the Parks and Recreation Development Charge Reserve Fund. 2. Discussion There are challenges finding a suitable site based on the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan (PRCMP) dog park criteria. 2.1 There is currently no suitable park site that meet the requirements to accommodate a dog park based on the established PRCMP criteria. The most challenging part of the criteria is the minimum size of 5,000m2 (0.5 hectares) and having a setback of 15-50 metres from adjacent land uses. Review of existing dog parks in Durham Region 2.2 A review of neighbouring municipalities showed that dog park sizes vary significantly, ranging from 0.16 hectares to 10 hectares, with the smaller sized dog parks located in established neighbourhood parks. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report PDS-037-26 Alignment with the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan dog park design criteria. 2.3 Based on the review, there is precedent to reduce the minimum area to 2,000m2 (0.2 hectares) if a dog park were to be in an existing park. 2.4 A comprehensive review of all existing parks north of Concession Street East was conducted based on the reduced size criteria to evaluate if there were sites suitable for a dog park. Recommended Site 2.5 Through the review, Guildwood Park was identified as an appropriate location for a proposed dog park of approximately 2,300m2 (0.23 hectares) in size. The site is suited for this use because it requires no removal of existing park amenities and provides 200m of street frontage for parking without impacting residential access. Furthermore, the location offers satisfactory setbacks, within the PRCMP criteria, from residential property lines and provides high recreational value due to its proximity to the Soper Creek Trail system. 2.6 A significant advantage of this site is the opportunity for construction efficiencies. The project can be implemented in late summer 2026 in tandem with the scheduled splash pad reconstruction. 2.7 Since the construction of an off-leash dog park involves converting existing open green space, staff would initiate a community engagement process to gather public feedback on the design if Council approves the park location. Alternate considered sites. 2.8 Northglen Park and Longworth Park were also evaluated due to their size. However, both sites present significant operational and community challenges that make them less suitable than Guildwood Park. Implementing a dog park at these locations would require the removal of existing, highly utilized amenities that generate over $3,600 in annual permit revenue. Removing the amenities would be necessary to meet the setback requirements noted in the PRCMP. Additionally, high traffic volumes on adjacent streets at these sites prohibit on-street parking, creating accessibility barriers for users travelling from outside the immediate walking distance. 3. Financial Considerations 3.1 In 2025, unused budget of $195,553.89 was returned to the Parks and Recreation Development Charge Reserve Fund. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report PDS-037-26 3.2 It is estimated that the same balance is sufficient to develop a dog park on the recommended site, inclusive of earthworks, fencing, and pathways. The original budget was exclusive of lighting; therefore, the scope does not include lighting for the dog park. 3.3 Public Services Department identified incremental annual costs of approximately $2,500 for garbage disposal and $2,500 per year for staff time, from existing staff compliment, associated with general maintenance and inspections. 4. Strategic Plan G.2.3 prioritizes the development and implementation of the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan. The North Bowmanville Dog Park is identified as an action item within the approved Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan. 5. Climate Change Not Applicable. 6. Concurrence This report has been reviewed by the Deputy CAO of Public Services and the Deputy CAO/Treasurer of Finance who concur with the recommendation. 7. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Council endorse Guildwood Park as the location of a new off-leash dog park. Staff Contact: Andrei Micu, Manager, Park Design and Development,amicu@clarington.net. Attachments: Attachment 1 – Location Map Attachment 2 – Guildwood Park Conceptual Sketch Interested Parties: The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision: Sean Reynolds Clarington Geospatial Data Web Map Municipality of Clarington, Planning & Infrastructure Services, © Teranet Enterprise Inc. and its suppliers. All rights reserved. Not a Plan of Survey., Durham Region, 2025., Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, © King's Printer for Ontario, 2025., GRCA, CLOCA, Kawartha Conservation Authority Clarington Assessment Parcels MPAC Data 4/1/2026, 11:27:37 AM 0 1,600 3,200800 ft 0 490 980245 m 1:18,000 Municipality of Clarington © Teranet Enterprise Inc. and its suppliers. All rights reserved. Not a Plan of Survey., Durham Region, 2025., Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, © King's Printer for Ontario, 2025., GRCA, CLOCA, Kawartha Conservation Authority | Municipality of Clarington, Planning & Infrastructure Services | Attachment 1 to ReportPDS-037-26 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X OPTION 1 2,300m³ (0.23-ha) OFF-LEASH AREA 20m R E S I D E N T I A L SETBA C K 15 m S C H O O L SE T B A C K JOHN M JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOL X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XX OPTION 2 2,000m³ (0.20-ha) OFF-LEASH AREA 10m R E S I D E N T I A L S E T B A C K PROJECT TITLE:AM NORTH BOWMANVILLE DOG PARK LOCATION ASSESSMENT DRAWING TITLE:DWG #: DRAWN BY: CONTRACT #:SCALE: DATE:APRIL 2026 NA GUILDWOOD PARK LOCATION SKETCH 1:1000m L-1 Attachment 2 to ReportPDS-037-26