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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAS 01-21Report to Executive Committee Report Number: AS 01-21 Date: June 7, 2021 From: Paul Bigioni Director, Corporate Services and City Solicitor Subject: Dunmoore Park -Conversion of Small Baseball Diamond to Leash Free Area-File: A-1440 Recommendation: 1.That Report AS 01-21 regarding the conversion of the small baseball diamond inDunmoore Park to a leash free area be received; 2.That Council endorse the creation of a leash free area in Dunmoore Park; and 3.That appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the recommendations in this report. Executive Summary: As part of building a healthy and vibrant community, activities that include dogs have been reported to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression for not just the pet owner but also for others that may become exposed. Animal Services recognizes the deep connection people have with their pets, and the benefits that come from these types of bonds. Designated Leash Free Areas provide a safe environment for dogs to run around freely, get the exercise they need and mingle with other dogs. Leash free areas also provide dog owners with the opportunity to socialize with one another, and an opportunity to meet new members of our community. In 2019, as part of an internal staff review of City parks and open spaces, Dunmoore Park was selected as a potential site to create a new leash free area. Dunmoore Park is currently comprised of three baseball diamonds, tennis courts, a soccer field and a children’s playground area. The small baseball diamond currently located at the southeast end of the park is the site proposed to be converted into a leash free area. This baseball diamond is underutilized due to its odd configuration, with a very shallow right field area. In October 2020, a virtual (online) public consultation process regarding the creation of a leash free area at Dunmoore Park took place. A total of 342 people completed the online survey with 91 per cent of the respondents in favour of the creation of a leash free area within Dunmoore Park. Based on the positive feedback received through public consultation, funds for the design and construction of this project were requested and approved in the 2021 Parks Capital Budget. Staff are recommending that Council endorse the creation of a leash free area at Dunmoore AS 01-21 June 7, 2021 Subject: Dunmoore Park Conversion of Small Baseball Diamond to Leash Free Area Page 2 Park, and that the appropriate City staff be authorized to proceed with the design and tender for construction of the leash free area in 2021. Financial Implications: As part of the 2021 Parks Capital Budget, $120,000.00 is approved for the conversion of the small baseball diamond within Dunmoore Park to a leash free area. City staff are also actively looking for additional funding opportunities to offset some of the budgeted costs and to allow for further enhancements to promote the connection between people and dogs. Discussion: In 2010, the City of Pickering opened its first leash free area located within Grand Valley Park. Since its inception, this leash free area has been utilized by many area residents as well as visitors from local municipalities. Although the leash free areas located at Grand Valley Park are heavily used, residents are often enquiring about additional locations that are more centralized as well as ones that are fully accessible for all types of users. In 2019, as part of an internal staff review of City parks and open spaces, Dunmoore Park was selected as a potential site to create a new leash free area. The south half of Dunmoore Park is owned by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) but is under Management Agreement by the City of Pickering. TRCA staff have been consulted about converting the south baseball diamond to a leash free area and are in full support of the idea. They have advised that they often receive complaints of dogs running off leash in the Petticoat Creek Conservation Area, and believe that this addition to Dunmoore Park would be a benefit to them in this regard. As part of the design implementation, the City will employ risk reduction strategies which include: • fully fenced in area with a corral area to ensure that dogs cannot accidently escape; • signage located along the perimeter of the leash free area outlining specific leash free rules; • adequate garbage cans as well as the addition of a new dog waste diversion station; and • obstacles and agility components for dogs to enjoy while ensuring adequate seating and shade coverage for the dog owners. In October 2020, a virtual (online) public consultation process regarding the creation of a leash free area in Dunmoore Park took place. Marketing for the public consultation consisted of direct mailings to area residents, community page advertisements and social media promotions. A total of 342 surveys were received. The following is a summary of the key points of interest from the survey: AS 01-21 June 7, 2021 Subject: Dunmoore Park Conversion of Small Baseball Diamond to Leash Free Area Page 3 • 91 per cent of respondents were in favour of the creation of a leash free area in Dunmoore Park; • of the 9 per cent who were not in support of the creation of a leash free area, 59 per cent actually had no specific concerns; • 30 per cent of the respondents indicated they would use the proposed leash free area daily and 44 per cent would use it weekly; • 53 per cent of the respondents either live next to the park or within walking distance of the park; and • 82 per cent of the respondents indicated they would also like to see obstacles installed in the area, for dogs to play and interact with. Residents were given the opportunity to provide suggestions for features that they would like to see included in the leash free area. The following is a summary of some of the features requested: • things for dogs to climb, go around, go under; • a bin for dog waste bags and a separate garbage cans for all other items; • a light so the park can be used after dark; • benches, seating and shelter from the elements; • fully fenced in for safety; • an area to separate small dogs from big dogs; and • a drinking fountain for dogs. A full description of the survey questions, responses, and comments received can be found in Attachment #1. The proposed leash free area will encompass most of the south baseball diamond and will be fenced in its entirety with the access gate at the northwest corner, where the site grading allows for a barrier free access point. A concept plan of the proposed leash free area that was included as part of the survey can be found in Attachment #2. Detailed design plans of the area will be prepared by Engineering Services, in consultation with Animal Services and Community Services staff following endorsement of this location by Council. Staff anticipate that the leash free area could be ready for public use as early as fall 2021. Based on the positive feedback received through the public consultation process, staff are recommending that Council endorse the creation of a leash free area in Dunmoore Park and AS 01-21 June 7, 2021 Subject: Dunmoore Park Conversion of Small Baseball Diamond to Leash Free Area Page 4 that the appropriate City staff be authorized to proceed with the design and tender for construction of the leash free area in 2021. Attachments: 1.Dunmoore Park – Leash Free Area Resident Survey Results2. Concept Plan of Dunmoore Park Leash Free Area3.Location Map – Dunmoore Park AS 01-21 June 7, 2021 Subject: Dunmoore Park Conversion of Small Baseball Diamond to Leash Free Area Page 5 Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Lindsey Narraway Paul Bigioni Supervisor, Animal Services Director, Corporate Services and City Solicitor Arnold Mostert, OALA Richard Holborn, P. Eng. Manager, Landscape & Parks Development Director, Engineering Services LN:mjh Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer Original signed by:Original signed by: Original signed by:Original signed by: Original signed by: Attachment #1 to Report # AS 01-21 Dunmoore Park – Leash Free Area Resident Survey Results 342 responses received – percentages shown are based on total responses out of 342 1.How close do you live to Dunmoore Park? •Beside the park – 30 (9%) •Within walking distance – 150 (44%) •In Pickering but need to drive to the park – 152 (44%) •Outside of Pickering – 10 (3%) Beside the Park 9% Walking Distance44% In Pickering but need to drive to park44% Outside of Pickering3% How close do you live to Dunmoore Park? 2.Does anyone in your household currently use Dunmoore Park? •Yes – 177 (52%) •No – 165 (48%) If you answered yes, what activities do you do? •Exercise – 80 (23%) •Soccer – 36 (10%) •Baseball – 32 (9%) •Tennis – 26 (8%) •Children‘s playground – 62 (18%) •Dog-walking – 130 (38%) •Other – 31 responses including walking, cycling and picnics 3.How many dogs do you own? •1 – 191 (55%) •2 – 82 (24%) •More than 2 – 8 (2%) •Do not own a dog – 59 (17%) P 4. Do you support the creation of a leash free area in Dunmoore Park? •Yes – 310 (91%) •No – 32 (9%) Yes91% No9% Do you support the creation of a leash free area in Dunmoore Park? 5. How often would you use a leash free area? •Daily – 102 (30%) •Weekly – 151 (44%) •Monthly – 30 (9%) •Never – 58 (17%) Daily30% Weekly44% Monthly9% Never17% How often would you use this leash free area? age 2 of 5 7. If you are not supportive of the creation of a leash free area, what are your main concerns? •Cleanliness – 41 (12%) •Parking – 20 (6%) •Noise – 9 (3%) •Conflict with others – 24 (7%) •I have no concerns – 183 (54%) •Other – 33 responses Cleanliness13% Parking6% Noise3% Conflict with others8% I have no concerns59% Other11% If you are not supportive of the creation of a leash free area, what are your main concerns? 8. If you are in support of creating a leash free area, are there any specific features that you would like to see incorporated? •260 responses received. Summary of comments are highlighted in the report. Full survey responses can be shared if requested) 9.Would you like to see obstacles installed for the dogs to play with? •Yes – 279 (82%) •No – 51 (15%) 10.Additional comments •178 responses received. Summary of comments are highlighted in the report. Full survey responses can be shared if requested) In Support •Hopefully this happens. Looking forward to it •We need an easily accessible dog park in Pickering& this is the perfect spot!! My husband has mobility issues & that hill to get to the only other dog park is a killer & unsafe in the winter Page 3 of 5 •I would support this off-leash proposal even though I am not a dog owner myself. Safety of everyone should also be a concern and ensure the area is fully fenced off to the surrounding area. Thanks. •I personally think a dog park at Dunmoore Park would be a great idea as we currently live quite far from the closest one as it is. We would bring our dog there weekly if there was a dog park less than a 5-minute drive from our house! •Having more off leash dog parks is a great way for dogs to learn how to socialize, which helps them to be calmer when they interact with other people and dogs when on the street/on leash areas. •Great idea I hope this is approved! •Pickering should have a dog park that is famous in the GTA dog owners community. •Although I do not own a dog, I believe this is a great idea. I often see dogs being walked in the soccer field area, & this location would help. •I think it is a great idea to have a leash free park in this area. This neighbourhood needs one. •Hopefully less people will let their dogs off leash to run in Petticoat Creek leaving the conservation area for others to enjoy without fear of dogs attacking. •Currently I walk my dog by the area being considered & I never see anyone using it as a playing field so i am fully convinced this is a great idea, also considering almost 50% households in the neighbourhood have dogs. •If approved, then the city must monitor daily to inforce the bylaw not just the signs that are posted. •More dog parks available in Pickering would potentially limit and issues that arise with dogs being in regular parks. •Pickering is doing great things, keep up the good work. •South Pickering is in desperate need for a dog park. Right now I drive close to 20 minutes just to get to the other park, which is ridiculous when I live right next door to a vast green space. •Pickering is not a dog friendly city and should be given the number of dogs and residential areas. We need dog parks near more residential areas to reduce the illegal use of non-dog parks for dog play. •I am very glad that Pickering is considering more off leash dog parks. This will allow people to have a place to bring and release their dog legally. Valley Farm off leash dog park is a good sample of the way the park should be set up! Not In Support •This sounds like a done deal already approved or in process which is disappointing. There are lots of dog parks within the Durham region already and easily accessible. Making another one here, addresses only a want identified by a certain group and will not address the behavioural and lack of accountability issues. Page 4 of 5 •Make sure if you plan to give up this green space in the park for an off leash park that you are remembering the new development plans with more residents in the condos proposed for Whites Rd/Kingston Rd area. The demand for more green space for families will no doubt increase. •Petticoat is a very popular walking area for families and the parking lot is regularly full. Once you have sporting events there is a serious shortage of parking spaces and people park on adjacent streets so we routinely have to ask people not to block our driveway, a leash free area would only increase the parking problem. •Spend time, energy and money improving the public spaces for the community to use instead of another dog park. •The dog park in grand valley park is great because it is out of the way from a residential area and provides a large space for the dogs to run around. Dunmore park is surrounded by homes and is used frequently by children and families playing in the fields. I rarely ever see the dog park at grand valley filled to capacity so I am not sure there is a need for another dog park. •There is no such thing as a SAFE leash-free park. Too many dogs have been attacked by other dogs who are not properly socialized/trained, or something sets them off and it's just part of their nature (some dogs are not spayed/neutered and start fights due to this). There is no control over who can use the park, and whether the owners are responsible for the actions of their pets, and whether they clean up after their pets. I firmly believe dog owners should be 100% responsible for their pets' exercise, and the cost of cleaning up. Taxpayers should not pay for this. If you don't have enough property for your dog to play, if you don't have time or energy to walk your dog, if you can't take your dog's waste back home with you to dispose of properly, then don't have a dog. •This sucks that you are even considering lavish things like this when your property taxes are so high. Page 5 of 5 Attachment #2 to Report # AS 01-21 !!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!! !!! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!! !! ! !!! !!!!!! !!!!!! !!! ! ! ! !! !!!!! !!!!! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! !!!!!! !!!!!! ! ! ! !! ! !!!WHITES ROADCREEKVIEW CIRCLEDOWNLANDDRIVE B R O A D G R E E N S T R E E TENGELCOURTCALLAHAN STREET ATWOODCRESCENT LAYTONCOURT Petticoat Creek SCALE: Engineering Services Department Dunmoore Park Proposed Off Leash Dog ParkMay. 04, 2021 DATE: q 1:2,943 Proposed Off Leash Dog Park Attachment #3 to Report # AS 01-21