Brock Council approves dog park project in principle
DAN CEARNS, The Standard
BROCK: The Township of Brock is moving forward with creating a dog park in the municipality.
A report, councillors received in March, recommended a dog park, for the township of Brock, be located in MacLeod Park because it “is farther away from residential buildings, has sufficient parking, and requires the least amount of preparation.”
At a meeting, on Tuesday, April 11th, while noting she is currently “not in support of a dog park,” Ward 3 Councillor, Angela Canavan stressed the importance of the Township completing the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan before choosing a spot for this dog park project.
“I think it’s really important we continue with these overall master plans, and certainly with the vision of MacLeod Park and Claire Hardy Park. I would like to think we can garner some input from the community without committing a two-acre space to that area,” she stated. “For me, it makes sense to go through the planning exercise first.”
She made two motions. One of those motions was to “approve the creation of the dog park in principle,” and to have staff members obtain suggested wording for dog park signage. The other motion called for the “location to be determined through the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan.”
Ward 2 Councillor, Claire Doble estimated residents have been asking for a dog park “for the last three years” and said she was happy to support the motion to approve the dog park project.
Ward 4 Councillor, Cria Pettingill pledged her support, as well, for the project, noting “every municipality around {Brock] has a dog park.”
However, Mayor Walter Schummer stated, he does not believe “there’s a substantial number of residents [who] are in support of” a dog park.
“I think it opens up potential liability issues, and I just don’t think it’s in our wheelhouse at the current time,” he added.
In a recorded vote, the first motion approving the project in principle passed four to three.
Regional Councillor, Michael Jubb asked how long the master plan process is expected to take before being brought to council for adoption.
CAO Ingrid Svelnis responded, stating, the master plan is not expected to be finished until the end of 2023.
The second motion, to wait until the master plan is complete before selecting a location for the dog park, was approved unanimously.