City staff is recommending two leash free dog parks be built this year and a third one in 2020.
At the city's June 4 Committee of the Whole meeting, a staff recommendation will come forward that would see fenced-in off-leash dog parks built in Peter Misersky Park on the city's east side and Bristol Street Park adjacent to the former OPP station on Wellington Street.
"Peter Misersky Park is a large park that contains a recently decommissioned baseball diamond. The leash free area being proposed will be installed within the limits of the former ball diamond," says the report.
"The site has parking adjacent to the park and contains a large relatively flat space that is very short distance from the parking which can be built on immediately. The combination of the large park, the ability to place a designated leash free area within the park without displacing sports field users, and available parking make this an excellent site."
If approved, work would begin immediately on the Peter Misersky Park location, which is adjacent to Auden Road.
The parks cost an estimated $100,000 each to build.
"Bristol Street Park provides a highly visible facility that is central to the city. It is located north of Wellington Street just north of the skate park, along an Active Transportation Route with easy access to the Hanlon and bus stops with existing parking," the report says of the second location.
Bristol Street's fenced-in off-leash dog park would be completed in the fall.
The existing mini soccer fields currently located at Bristol Street Park will be relocated to Eastview Park for the 2020 season.
A third leash free facility is being recommended at Lee Street Park in 2020.
"Lee Street Park already has an approved leash free area inside the park. This plan will involve installing a fence around the existing area, implementing the operating requirements, and installing the appropriate signage."
There are a number of rules and regulations for leash-free parks, including no dog can be in the leash free area without an owner or keeper present who is 18 or older, no aggressive dogs, updated rabies and dog licence tags are mandatory, stoop and scoop is mandatory, no food permitted and no children under six are allowed in the area.
A full set of rules will be posted at the parks.
