Latest Correspondence From Town:

"Staff brought a report to Committee of the Whole March 1st recommending that the dog park be completed as designed and in the proposed location.  Committee of the Whole approved that report which will be considered by Council through the consent agenda March 14th. Thank you for your feedback, we received 49 comments, 31 indicating that they are in favour of the existing location as well as design and 18 responses indicated that they want the design changed or moved."

The Town of Blue Mountains has designated Heritage Park as a location for a new dog park. Although many people were in favour of this location, the final design of the park is not suitable to accommodate all the needs for the community. This dog park could have been designed to still allow the use of the field for children and family  activities. The current design basically took away the entire green space of the park. Soccer, Baseball, Frisbee and many other outdoor sports and activities are now a memory for Heritage Park. 

The Town used the template of the Thornbury Dog Park in a park that is 5 times smaller than Thornbury Park, that being Heritage Park.  Instead of taking their time and methodically planning this out to include everyone's interest, they hastily created a solution.  As a consequence, children do not have space to play, and although dog owner's are happy that there is a park, it was not their intent to do this at the children's expense.  This has created some tension in the neighborhood and can be easily rectified by communicating with the community more effectively. 

Attached is an alternative solution to what is currently being proposed.  We have presented this plan to the Town of Blue Mountains multiple times but it has unfortunately been overlooked. We must come forward before March 14th Council Meeting.

If you would like to discuss this further with the town and voice your opinion or concerns please contact Ryan Gibbons (Director of Community Services Town of Blue Mountains) Tel: 519 599 3131 ext. 281 email: rgibbons@thebluemountains.ca

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Respectfully,

A concerned member of the community and dog owner.