SUMMARY OF REQUESTS:

• Camera monitoring & visible deterrents

• Key-code / restricted access for the small-dog enclosure

• Enhanced signage & physical deterrents

• Clear municipal pathway for enforcement & reporting

• Community-supported ambassador system

• Education on small-dog vs. big-dog dynamics

WestCreek Developments

City of Calgary – Parks, Calgary Community Standards & Animal Services

We, the undersigned residents and dog owners who use the Wolf Willow dog park, are requesting urgent safety improvements to the small-dog enclosure (designated for dogs under 30 lbs).

Recently, there have been multiple incidents in which large dogs have entered the small-dog side, resulting in fights, fear, and serious risk of injury to small dogs. In at least two separate events within one week, large dogs entered the under-30-lb enclosure, a fight broke out, and small dogs were overwhelmed. These incidents are exactly what the size restriction is intended to prevent.

Right now, the posted “under 30 lbs” rule creates the illusion of safety without any meaningful pathway to enforcement or follow-up when it’s ignored. Small-dog owners reasonably assume that this space is designated and protected for their dogs, but in practice, they are often forced to leave when large dogs enter and owners refuse to comply.

This dog park was created and promoted by WestCreek as one of the core community features of Wolf Willow — a shared space intended to support safety, connection, and responsible pet ownership. Because this space functions in place of a traditional community centre or staffed facility, residents rely heavily on the developer’s infrastructure, clarity, and responsiveness to keep it safe and usable for everyone.

We are asking WestCreek and the City to work together to make this enclosure genuinely safe and enforceable, not just symbolic.

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1. Monitoring & Deterrence: Cameras and Visibility

To support safety and accountability without turning the park into a hostile environment, we request:

1. Camera monitoring of the parking lot and primary entry points

• Visible cameras aimed at the parking lot and main dog-park entrance (not inside the enclosures themselves) to:

• Deter repeat, deliberate misuse

• Capture license plates in the event of serious or repeated violations

• Support follow-up if a dog or person is seriously harmed

2. Clear notice of cameras

• Signage stating that the area is under video monitoring, which alone is often enough to discourage irresponsible behaviour and encourage rule compliance.

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2. Access Control: Coded Entry / Restricted Access for the Small-Dog Side

We support exploring an access-controlled small-dog enclosure to reduce misuse by large-dog owners who ignore signage:

1. Coded entry gate or restricted-access system for the under-30-lb enclosure

• Only owners of dogs under 30 lbs, who can verify size (via vet records, municipal license, or similar proof), would receive gate access (e.g., a key code or fob).

• This doesn’t need to be complicated or exclusionary — just a basic system that discourages casual rule-breaking by making access intentional and traceable.

2. Periodic review of access list

• The City or developer could review access periodically (e.g., annually) to keep records current and ensure only small-dog owners are using the restricted enclosure.

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3. Enhanced Signage & Physical Deterrents

While some infrastructure is already in place, we are asking for stronger, clearer deterrents to make misuse less likely:

1. High-visibility signage explaining the reason for the rule

• Large, unavoidable signs at the entrance to both enclosures, explicitly stating:

• “This area is for dogs under 30 lbs only.”

• “Large dogs, even if friendly, can cause serious injury or death to small dogs if a fight breaks out.”

• “Just because your big dog is good with small dogs does NOT mean small dogs are good with big dogs. Small dogs can react defensively and escalate situations quickly.”

2. Directional signage to the large-dog area

• Clear arrows/visual cues showing exactly where large dogs are meant to go, removing any “I didn’t know” justification.

3. Additional physical deterrents at entry points

• If feasible, modest adjustments to gate layout or fencing that make it less convenient for large dogs to casually enter the small-dog space (for example, visual barriers that signal “small-dog only” more strongly).

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4. Clear Municipal Guidance & Pathway to Enforcement

1. Timeline for City ownership transfer

• We request clear communication about the expected timeline for this parcel (including the dog park) to transfer from WestCreek to City of Calgary ownership.

• Once under City ownership, we ask that the small-dog enclosure be formally reviewed so that size/weight restrictions can be tied to enforceable bylaws and supported by Calgary Animal Services.

2. Documented, linked complaints for repeated misuse

• Until City ownership and formal bylaws are in place, we ask for a clear process for documenting and reporting violations (e.g., large dogs entering the under-30-lb side, repeated refusals to leave after being asked, fights or near-misses).

• We request that residents be given specific instructions on how to file a complaint (311 category, email, or form), so repeated incidents at this park can be properly linked and tracked rather than treated as isolated events.

3. A formal point of contact for repeated misuse

• Either a dedicated WestCreek liaison or clear written guidance on how documented complaints will be escalated to bylaw/Animal Services.

• Residents should know who is responsible for reviewing patterns of unsafe behaviour and what threshold triggers intervention or policy review.

4. A designated hotline or direct reporting option for misuse of the enclosure

• We request a specific contact channel (phone or email) for reporting ongoing misuse of the small-dog side, especially when incidents are escalating in real time or happening repeatedly with the same owners.

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5. Community-Supported Ambassador / Volunteer System

We propose a community ambassador or volunteer program, endorsed by WestCreek and/or the City, to help educate and support dog owners on-site:

1. Ambassadors for education, not confrontation

• Volunteers would not be “enforcers,” but educators who:

• Remind owners of the small-dog size rule

• Explain why the rule exists (injury risk, fear, size difference)

• Encourage large-dog owners to move to the appropriate side

• Help de-escalate early, before conflict or fights occur

2. Clear guidelines and support

• Ambassadors should be given written guidelines, backing from the developer/City, and clear boundaries so they are not placed at risk or left to manage volatile situations alone.

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6. Education on Small-Dog vs. Big-Dog Dynamics

We also ask for public education through signage, digital communication, or community channels, emphasizing:

• “Just because you believe your big dog is good with small dogs does NOT mean small dogs are good with big dogs.”

• Small dogs may react defensively or out of fear; they can instigate scuffles that very quickly escalate due to size and strength differences.

• The under-30-lb rule exists to protect all dogs and to reduce liability and trauma for owners — not to exclude anyone unfairly.

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What We Are Asking For:

• A realistic enforcement pathway, not just a sign

• Clear ownership and responsibility between WestCreek and the City

• Basic access controls to discourage misuse

• Tools to document and respond to incidents

• Physical and visual deterrents that reduce “I didn’t know” behaviour

• A safer, more predictable environment for small dogs and their owners

We believe these measures will reduce conflict, prevent injuries, and protect everyone — including responsible large-dog owners who are already following the rules and using the appropriate space.

We respectfully request that WestCreek Developments and the City of Calgary review these proposals, communicate a plan of action, and work with the community to make the Wolf Willow small-dog enclosure truly safe and fit for its stated purpose.

We request a follow-up meeting, written response, or published plan outlining next steps and timelines so residents know how and when safety improvements will be implemented.

Signed,

Residents, small-dog owners, and concerned users of the Wolf Willow dog park