HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-016-15 Clarington
Clerk's
Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: September 8, 2015
Report Number: CLD-016-15 Resolution Number: - V -
File Number: COO.GE By-law Number:
Report Subject: Off Leash Dog Park Maintenance Committee
Recommendations:
1. That Report CLD-016-15 be received for information.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CLD-016-15 Page 2
Report Overview
This report is intended to provide background on the maintenance, by-law enforcement, the
limited staffing and budget impact from off leash free dog parks.
1 . Background
At the May 25, 2015 meeting, General Purpose and Administration Committee approved
Resolution #GPA-372-15, requesting that staff report on striking a committee to maintain
the leash free dog park including aspects of by-law enforcement.
Currently the Dave Boyd Off Leash Dog Park is maintained by the Operations
Department. Limited maintenance has been required outside of lawn care and waste
disposal, both of which are contracted out. Seasonal re-seeding is periodically required
and there has been no need for fencing repairs since the park was established in 2012.
Animal Services is responsible for by-law enforcement and patrolling the park to ensure
users are following the set rules. Animal services has received approximately five
complaints and issued several verbal warnings for users not abiding by park rules. The
park is patrolled as time permits as is similar with all of Clarington's parks.
With the creation of Clarington's initial leash free dog park, an active volunteer group had
been created. The group held a few fundraisers, provided bags for pet waste, assisted
with occasional maintenance and monitored the use of the park. There was limited
involvement from Municipal Staff and the group was quite successful. Over time, as the
novelty of a Clarington's first off-leash park wore off, any issues with maintenance or
users not following the rules have declined such that they are the same as, or fewer than,
the number of issues raised concerning other Clarington parks. With the passing of Mr.
Dave Boyd, the founder, in 2014, the group dissolved. Animal Services continued with
the supply of dog bags but discontinued this practice in 2015. The maintenance of the
off-leash dog park has continued with no decline in service standards.
Clarington will be opening its second off-leash park in the spring of 2016 while initially
staff will increase park patrols from both an enforcement and maintenance perspective,
staff do not anticipate any long-term issues with managing this new facility.
2. Discussion
Currently, Animal Services averages approximately 325 park patrols a month for all of
Clarington's parks. This would include the current fields at the Newcastle Recreation
Centre. Additional time added to patrolling the new Off-Leash Park would be minimal.
Municipal Enforcement is based on education, compliance and then enforcement,
Officers receive the same training and portray a consistent message.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CLD-016-15 Page 3
The Operations Department's budget is approximately $2,500 a year for Dave Boyd's Off-
Leash Park; waste disposal and grass maintenance being 4/5 of that cost. The
anticipated additional calls received concerning maintenance issues should not impact
Operation's Municipal staff significantly based on past calls received for Dave Boyd's
Park. These costs are comparable to Municipal parks of similar size without the
additional amenities (i.e. splash pads, diamonds, etc.).
Staff do not recommend a committee of Council being established as there really is no
demonstrated need. Should a group of citizens wish to organize for the purpose of
fundraising, certainly staff would be willing to provide any input as to how the funds could
be best used.
Staff always welcome input from the community, as is demonstrated by the impending
opening the new off-leash dog park.
3. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed by Fred Horvath, Director of Operations, who concurs with
the recommendation.
4. Conclusion
It is not foreseeable that forming a Committee at this time would reduce costs associated
with maintenance and improve enforcement of Clarington's Off Leash Dog Park. Animal
Services and the Operations Department are responsible for enforcement and
maintenance of all Municipal parks within Clarington. Staff are well trained to deal with
aspects pertaining to day to day issues encountered and overall care and enforcement.
With the limited concerns brought to Animal Services attention regarding the Off-Leash
Dog Park, it would appear the users are able to work amongst themselves with any
issues. Utilizing a third party enforcement entity may lead to mixed messages and lack of
consistency.
At this time it is respectfully recommended that the Municipality work with, or assist, any
volunteer group that may wish to assist in enhancing the Off-Leash Dog Park user's
experience.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CLD-016-15 Page 4
5. Strategic Plan Application
The recommendations contained in this report conform to the Strategic Plan.
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Submitted by: y �� - '� '� .��? viewed by:��
' Anne Greentree Franklin Wu
Municipal Clerk Chief Administrative Officer
Staff Contact: Duncan Anderson, 905-623-3379 ext. 2127 or danderson @clarington.net
Attachments:
None
List of interested parties to be notified of Council's decision is on file in the Municipal Clerk's
Department:
None
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