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Naturalists concerned about dogs in Confederation Park
The Rocky Mountain Naturalists (RMN) are concerned about impacts to Cranbrook’s Confederation Park from people using it as “dog park.”
In a Feb. 13 letter to the City of Cranbrook, RMN president Peter Davidson stated that a recent meeting resulted in members raising concerns “about the number of dog owners who use Confederation Park and the area around Elizabeth Lake as an off-leash dog park throughout the year. We are particularly concerned given that this area is a designated wildlife sanctuary.”
The RMN suggest to the city that it replace some signs around the park that “have fallen into disrepair,” that remind dogs owners about being responsible for their pets, and keeping them leashed in public areas.
“At present, (RMN) provide plastic bags to pick up dog waste at four locations of Elizabeth Lake. Also, there seems to be no designated off-leash dog park available within the city, which is part of the issue with free running dogs at Elizabeth Lake,” Davidson wrote, adding, “We would appreciate the City of Cranbrook supporting our request for improved signage. Also, the bylaw enforcement officer should make regular visits to the area between the parking lot by the tourist information, the ball park and 11th Street, especially on weekends and after work when most violations appear to take place.”
City council unanimously agreed last night (March 5) to direct city staff to replace two dog bylaw signs and to have bylaw enforcement conduct periodic patrols of municipal land in the area.
Earlier in the meeting city chief administrative officer Will Pearce noted that a dog park will soon be established in Moir Park.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
