Successful virtual meeting to discuss potential dog park

A CONSTRUCTIVE online meeting for those affected by the closure of Jameson Park to dog walkers was held on Saturday, where options for a potential dog park were discussed.

Organised by Councillor Ernest Smith, the meeting was aimed at engaging the community of Ward 27 as well as dog walkers who used Jameson Park or Mitchell Park. Organisers were hoping to get community input for the possible implementation of an assigned dog walking park or space in the Morningside area.

ALSO READ: Potential dog park to be discussed at virtual meeting

This comes after the announcement in September that residents would no longer be able to walk their dogs in Jameson Park.

Smith took the issue up with the Parks department on the premise that city by-laws state dogs are allowed to be in any public space provided the owner picks up any faecal dropped by the dog. The dog also has to be on a leash. The park was closed to dog walkers without public consultation with residents of ward 27.

At the meeting, Smith offered up the different options, including a park in Clarence Road, the Rapson Road Park, Wilks Park and the option of fencing off the top section of Jameson Park, which would be dedicated to dog walkers.

Residents provided feedback and noted the ‘cons’ of the first three parks mentioned. They said Clarence Road park was unsafe noting there was no fencing, was too close to the road, was too small, and that there was a high vagrant component which would make them feel unsafe.

They felt Rapson Road Park had insufficient parking and Wilks Park had children’s playground equipment which may impact where dogs are allowed to go.

ALSO READ: Dog walkers angered by closure of Morningside ‘dog park’

The option to fence off a part of Jameson Park was the only way to go according to residents. Smith said the idea would be to erect a fence from one side of the park to the other, of around 160m.

“This will allow space for people to walk dogs and the park could become a tourist attraction, where people know this is a dedicated dog park. We need to erect signage and put in dispensers for bags for people to pick up after their dogs. This all costs money, so I encourage people to give their opinion on a Google form so I can hand this proposal over to the Parks Department to motivate. I want to show them the numbers of people who have an opinion on this and that it isn’t just me motivating for this,” he said, adding that he would try use funds from his ward-based budget allocated for special projects.

Resident, Scott Bredin, said: “I have been taking my dogs elsewhere to walk since the park closed, but this is also about the people, it is about the community developed around Jameson Park, it is the meeting of the community in this space,” he said.

Sean Lucien offered to manufacture and donate eight dog stations. “I urge residents to share this Google form link with everyone who they feel would like to have a say and be part of this process, even those living outside of the area,” said Smith.

Complete the form at: https://forms.gle/QoT59Sqp32YVT3pk9.

Contact Councillor Ernest Smith on 079 214 0020.

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