DOCSLIB.ORG

West End Dog Park Project Agenda Item: 6A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
West End Dog Park Project Agenda Item: 6A Town of Cochrane Council Report Meeting: Regular Council Meeting Date: June 12, 2017 Originated By: Gerry Murphy, Manager Parks and Open Spaces Title: West End Dog Park Project Agenda Item: 6a RECOMMENDED ACTION That Council direct Administration to proceed with the West End Dog Park Project as presented. STRATEGIC / SUSTAINABILITY PLAN ITEM 1.0 Sustianable Community Building; Together we create a complete community through a balance of environmental, economic, and social infrastructures BACKGROUND The 2012 Open Space Master Plan identifies the need for more off leash areas and specifically a fenced in Dog Park. The green space west of Highway 22 and north of Quigley Drive is identified as a potential Dog Park within the plan. As part of the 2017 capital budget, Council approved a dog park project in this area. An initial concept was completed and shared with the public. Council received feedback from a number of concerned residents backing onto the proposed park. At the March 13 Regular Council Meeting, Council directed Administration to prepare a new Dog Park design along with costing on the green space west of Highway 22 and south of Quigley Drive and bring it back to Council in June. While the new area has decreased from 8 acres to 7 acres, the new location and design retains a separate small dog/puppy area and a larger open space with a dedicated paved pathway. The new design does not have the agility items or a dedicated parking area, but agility items could be added at a later time and the new area has shared parking with the West Rock Soccer Pitch and Skate Board Park. COMMUNICATION / PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Cochrane Pipeline Operators Committee May 11, 2015 (initial meeting) Cochrane Pipeline Operators Committee May 19, 2016 (Design draft) Cochrane Pipeline Operators Committee design meeting Dec. 21, 2016 (Detail design draft) West McDougal residents meeting Jan 27, 2017 (Detail design draft, changes made) Public Open House March 6, 2017 (Detail design with resident driven changes included) Online Engagement on design March 6 - 13, 2017 A letter to adjacent business owners outlining the revised project was sent out on May 17, 2017 Cochrane Pipeline Operators Committee meeting May 18, 2017 (Revised location and design presented) Communication with impacted business owners suggests all are opposed with the exception of the Ramada Hotel which was originally opposed but with clarification on the fencing design, now favours the Dog Park. The Cochrane Palace did not respond to the letter. The main objections from the adjacent businesses to the design include, parking concerns and access restrictions. West End Dog Park Project June 12, 2017 The online engagement that closed on June 1, 2017 asked residents how likely they were to use the new Dog Park. We had 146 responses of which 43% were very likely or somewhat likely, 48% were somewhat unlikely or very unlikely and 9% were unsure. Many of the comments on the design had concerns with the size and location of the park as well as parking. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The approved 2017 Capital Budget is $330,000.00 of which, $311,087.99 remains. The cost estimate to complete the new design is $248,000.00. OPTIONS / IMPLICATIONS Option 1 : That Council direct Administration to proceed with the West End Dog Park Project as presented. Implications: The project will move forward immediately resulting in the new dog park construction happening throughout the summer. Option 2: That Council direct Administration to proceed with the West End Dog Park Project with amendments. Implications: Any amendments will need to be incorporated into the design and costed. The project will move forward once a new design with the amendments is completed if funding is available. Option 3: That Council direct Administration to not proceed with the West End Dog Park Project. Implications: The project will be cancelled and the $311,000 unspent approved budget for the project will remain in the Parks Voluntary Developer Levy Reserve to be used for a future Council approved Parks project. ATTACHMENTS Online Dog Park Feedback West End Dog Park Project Concept Are you a dog Do you currently How often do you How likely are you to Do you have any comments about the plans for Cochrane's new off-leash dog park? Have you taken owner? take your dog(s) currently take use Cochrane's new a look at the to one of your dog(s) to one off-leash off park? plans for Cochrane's off- of Cochrane's off- Cochrane's new leash dog areas? leash dog areas? off-leash dog park? Yes Yes Several times a Very unlikely The new proposed site is a garbage wasteland due to the businesses that are located there. I doubt you'll be Yes week able to make the businesses take care of their trash! It is hence unsuitable to be a dog park. Frankly why would I take my dog to a field full of garbage? I wouldn't let my child play on a field full of garbage either. Further the new design is very disappointing! The old design was beautiful it was a long stretch that allowed you to not just walk in a circle. It was to have agility areas which we were super excited for. The new space has nothing. So you put a path in and a few trees and shrubs. Are they supposed to collect all the garbage that's flying around there? Oh and then once you decide to make this a park anyway since council won't care about what we have to say anyway, are you then gonna tell the users that they need to clean up their park even though it's obvious that the garbage problem already existed? Yes Yes Several times a Very likely Yes week Yes Yes Several times a Very likely Love the new location, but I'm slightly concerned about the height of the fence between the proposed park & Yes week the highway. Especially if some dogs can jump high! I think this will be a nice addition to the town and probably increase (maybe only slightly) foot traffic to the businesses along side it. Im looking forward to using it. Particularly in the winter when the river freezes up so high. Yes Yes About once a week Somewhat unlikely I like the double gated/staging entry and the fact that this park will be fenced, however it seems far too small Yes for the volume of use it will receive. I also would like to have seen areas to separate small and large dogs as these interactions aren't always positive. Lastly I'm unsure as to where the parking will be located and how many spaces will be available as it's not detailed on the plan. If the parking is offsite, i.e. at the Mitford lot or the skate park, will the town be installing sidewalk on West Rock Rd to accommodate increased foot traffic? Yes Yes Every day Very unlikely I much prefer the previous plans. Simply put, the previous larger space added not only true depth & space but Yes a deeper design. The previous plan was pleasing not only to park users, but to Cochrane, aesthetically. This seems like a much smaller scale/bandaid solution. Yes Yes About once a week Very likely Personally, I am a bit disappointed with the size of it. with the number of dogs in Cochrane and the Yes forecasted amount of use this park is likely to receive, I feel that it is going to be rather crowded and chaotic. In light of the original larger park being scrapped--it might make sense to look at two parks of the current proposed size. In terms of the current design, I would recommend adding an additional garbage can at the mid-point to encourage people cleaning up after their pets. Yes Yes Several times a Somewhat likely Is the existing fence with page wire going to be high enough to hold in larger dogs. The off leash fenced parks Yes week in Calgary have much higher fences. How about a bathroom? This would make it possible for some people to stay longer and let their dogs play. Yes Yes Several times a Somewhat unlikely it is too small. Yes week Yes Yes About once a week Very likely This plan is lacking in every way. The length isn't even satisfactory for a reasonable sized dog. The view for the Yes walk is hwy and hotels. It is a high rise below the past suggestion and I'm surprised you are not embarrassed to even present it as an option. Yes Yes Every day Very unlikely Doesn't matter what I think does it? Might matter if I wasn't a dog owner I guess. Yes Yes Yes Several times a Somewhat likely This is so much smaller than the original design. Add to that we'll be losing a good portion of the existing dog Yes week park to bridge construction and I'm dissapointed. Also dissapointed with the waste of tax dollars planning for the original location only to have the whole thing scrapped because of a very loud minority of home owners. How much is it costing us to re-plan this at a less adequate location? What happened to developers including small off leash areas in new home developments? Yes Yes More than once a Very unlikely Not comfortable with the park being next to a highways and also having to water access. Yes day Yes Yes Several times a Somewhat likely This is so much smaller than the original location.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • City of Surrey 2012 - 2021 Dog Off Leash Area Strategy
    TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 3 4.0 OPERATE 93 1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 4.1 MAINTENANCE 94 1.2 SUSTAINABILITY CHARTER 21 4.2 WASTE MANAGEMENT 95 4.3 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 100 2.0 PLAN 23 4.4 PRIVATELY-RUN DOG PARKS 102 2.1 RATIONALE FOR OFF LEASH AREAS 25 4.5 OFF LEASH AREA CODE OF CONDUCT 103 2.2 learning from surrey’s 4.6 ENFORCEMENT + SELF-POLICING 104 EXISTING OFF LEASH AREAS 26 4.6 MONITORING + ASSESSMENT 106 2.3 QUALITIES OF SUCCESSFUL DOG PARKS 30 4.7 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR 2.4 HEALTH, SAFETY AND THE SURREY OFF LEASH AREAS 108 ENVIRONMENT 32 4.8 SUGGESTED PILOT PROJECTS: 2.5 USE OF HYDRO RIGHT OF WAYS 37 OFF-SITE COMPOSTING OF DOG WASTE + ANAEROBIC DIGESTION 110 2.6 LOCATION AND PROVISION GUIDELINE PRECEDENTS 39 2.7 PROVISION + LOCATION GUIDELINES 40 5.0 RESOURCES 113 2.8 RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR SURREY 5.1 REFERENCES 114 OFF LEASH AREAS 42 5.2 MUNICIPALITIES WITH DOG PARK PLANS 116 3.0 DESIGN 49 6.0 APPENDICES 119 3.1 OFF LEASH AREA AMENITIES 50 APPENDIX 1.0: STAFF WORKSHOP 121 3.2 SPACE ALLOCATION 52 APPENDIX 2.0: STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP 141 3.3 SURFACE MATERIALS 54 APPENDIX 3.0: PHONE SURVEY 155 3.4 EDGE CONDITIONS 58 APPENDIX 4.0: ONLINE SURVEY 179 3.5 DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR CITY OF SURREY OFF LEASH AREAS 60 APPENDIX 5.0: OPEN HOUSE SERIES 1 185 3.6 OFF LEASH AREA DESIGN CONCEPTS 64 APPENDIX 6.0: OPEN HOUSE SERIES 2 211 3.7 SUGGESTED PILOT PROJECT: REPURPOSING ARTIFICIAL TURF 91 Cover page photo source: flickr user nruebotham CITY OF SURREY 2012 - 2021 DOG OFF LEASH AREA STRATEGY ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF ALL SURREY DOG OWNERS VISIT A DESIGNATED OFF LEASH AREA IN SURREY EACH WEEK.
    [Show full text]
  • Dog Exercise Area Green Park 251 Bickerstaff Way Rules and Regulations
    DOG EXERCISE AREA GREEN PARK 251 BICKERSTAFF WAY RULES AND REGULATIONS The owner/custodian of the dog(s) entering the Dog Park is responsible to abide by these rules. Please take time to read and understand them completely. THE DOG EXERCISE AREA (DOG PARK) IS FOR THE USE OF CITY OF GAITHERSBURG RESIDENTS AND THEIR LICENSED DOGS, DOG EXERCISE AREA MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS ONLY. THIS AREA IS NOT SUPERVISED. OWNERS ARE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DOGS AT ALL TIMES. THE CITY ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR CONDUCT OF DOGS OR THEIR OWNERS. • All dogs must be accompanied by responsible owners/custodians who are physically able to exercise effective restraint of the dog(s), if necessary, and who will restrain their dogs if necessary and in compliance with these Rules and Regulations. Owners/custodians must remain in the Dog Park with their dogs and must keep their dogs in sight and under their control at all times. • Please observe the Dog Park hours of operation, which are 7:00 a.m. until sunset daily. No person shall use the facility other than during the City’s designated hours of usage. • Owners/Custodians may have no more than two (2) dogs in the Dog Park at any one time. • Owners/Custodians must immediately leash and remove from the Dog Park any dog showing aggression towards people or other dogs. Dogs with a known history of aggressive or dangerous behavior and/or dogs that have been deemed “Potentially Dangerous” or “Dangerous” by any State, County or City municipality are prohibited and are not permitted to enter the Dog Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Doberman Pinscher Training Secrets: Obedient-Dog.Net
    DOBERMAN PINSCHER TRAINING SECRETS: OBEDIENT- DOG.NET DOWNLOAD FREE BOOK Mark Mendoza | 76 pages | 21 Jan 2015 | Createspace Independent Publishing Platform | 9781507597156 | English | United States Training Doberman Pinschers Pet Parenting. Socialize adult dogs that are fearful of strangers. This is considered hostile, and you may inadvertently be challenging the dog to a fight. The key to getting your dog to catch onto commands is repetition. One of the most important parts of training a Doberman Pinscher is teaching your pup to Doberman Pinscher Training Secrets: Obedient-Dog.Net while he is outside on Doberman Pinscher Training Secrets: Obedient-Dog.Net leash. Jimeey Hidangmayum Mar 18, How to get a Doberman to stop biting your shoes, furniture and everything else is in just 7 steps. Lastly, when your dog has several "friends", they will Doberman Pinscher Training Secrets: Obedient-Dog.Net confidence to meet strangers. Whether your Doberman Pinscher is sweet and people-pleasing like Maxxwell, protective and work-focused like Kaiser or somewhere in between, you can use his temperament Doberman Pinscher Training Secrets: Obedient-Dog.Net to customize his training. Kansas "I am very happy with the purchase; it is more pleasant bathing and brushing my dog. How to teach a Doberman Pinscher to sit where you deem appropriate. Socialize a Doberman Pincher as early as possible. When we went to the park, she pulled. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Learn more. When your dog does misbehave, because all dogs misbehave sometimes, try to get to the bottom of the behavior.
    [Show full text]
  • Devocalization Fact Sheet
    Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Devocalization Fact Sheet Views of humane treatment of animals in both the veterinary profession and our society as a whole are evolving. Many practicing clinicians are refusing to perform non‐therapeutic surgeries such as devocalization, declawing, ear cropping and tail docking of dogs and cats because these procedures provide no medical benefit to the animals and are done purely for the convenience or cosmetic preferences of the caregiver. At this point, devocalization procedures are not widely included in veterinary medical school curricula. What is partial devocalization? What is total devocalization? The veterinary medical term for the devocalization procedure is ventriculocordectomy. When the surgery is performed for the non‐therapeutic purpose of pet owner convenience, the goal is to muffle or eliminate dog barking or cat meowing. Ventriculocordectomy refers to the surgical removal of the vocal cords. They are composed of ligament and muscle, covered with mucosal tissue. Partial devocalization refers to removal of only a portion of the vocal cords. Total devocalization refers to removal of a major portion of the vocal cords. How are these procedures performed? Vocal cord removal is not a minor surgery by any means. It is an invasive procedure with the inherent risks of anesthesia, infection, blood loss and other serious complications. Furthermore, it does not appear to have a high efficacy rate since many patients have the procedure performed more than once, either to try to obtain more definitive vocal results or to correct unintentional consequences of their previous surgeries. Often only the volume and/or pitch of animals’ voices are changed by these procedures.
    [Show full text]
  • Nampa Dog Park Rules
    Nampa Dog Park Rules Dog waste must be cleaned up and properly disposed. • This is the most prominent dog park complaint. Dog owners who neglect to dispose of their dog’s waste create a less enjoyable and potentially unhealthy environment for other park users. Waste bags are provided at receptacles throughout the park, so please help keep the park clean and inviting by properly disposing of dog waste. Also, it would be a great community service if everyone made an effort to pick up missed waste. Dogs must be on a leash at all times except when in the designated off-leash dog area. • Keep your dog leashed at all times while outside the fenced dog park area, even in the parking lot. This will prevent your dog from running off or being hit by a car since drivers may not see your dog. Dogs must wear a collar and display proper license. • Your dog’s collar or harness should include a license and identification tag. Park users accept all risk of injury that may occur to themselves and their dog. Handler/owner are liable for the actions of their dog. • Each handler is legally responsible for his/her dog. The City of Nampa will assume no responsibility for any injuries to humans or animals. Therefore, each handler is responsible for supervision of his or her animal. All handlers must remain in the park with their dog at all times. For safety reasons, no food (dog or human) allowed in the park. • Some dogs may become aggressive when food is present.
    [Show full text]
  • Unleashed a Guide to Successful Dog Parks Unleashed a Guide to Successful Dog Parks
    DOG AND CAT MANAGEMENT BOARD UNLEASHED A GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL DOG PARKS UNLEASHED A GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL DOG PARKS 2013 Dog and Cat Management Board Government of South Australia GPO Box 1047 Adelaide SA 5001 Telephone: (08) 81244962 www.dogandcatboard.com.au ISBN 978-1-921800-57-3 Dog and Cat Management Board, (2014) Unleashed: A Guide to Successful Dog Parks. Copies of this publication are available online: www.dogandcatboard.com.au PAGE 2 CONTENTS Acknowledgements 04 SECTION 3 Foreword DESIGN 26 From the Dog and Cat Management Board 05 Park layout 26 From the Planning Institute of Australia (SA) 05 Activity zones 26 INTRODUCTION 06 Circulation paths 26 Fencing 29 About this Guide 06 Entry/exit points 29 Why do we need a Guide? 06 Gates 29 Who is the target audience? 07 Surface materials 30 Responding to new information and research 07 Planting 30 Essential amenities 31 SECTION 1 Optional amenities 34 CONTEXT 08 Pet ownership rates in Australia 08 SECTION 4 Living densities 08 MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS 36 The growth of dog parks 08 Maintenance 36 Enclosed dog parks in South Australia (map) 09 Waste management 37 Enclosed dog park facts 10 Dog park rules and etiquette 37 Benefits of dog parks 11 Dog park education 38 Risks 12 Evaluation 38 SECTION 2 SECTION 5 PLANNING 16 RESOURCES 40 How to get started 16 Visiting a park 40 Is there a demand for a dog park? 16 Enclosed dog parks in South Australia (list) 41 Who should be involved in the planning process? 18 Local council resources 42 Costs 18 Helpful literature 42 Key components for a dog park 18 Useful websites 42 Location 20 Selecting plants 42 Parking and accessibility 20 Dog park rules and etiquette 42 Connections to existing paths and trails 20 Dog park survey 42 Other facilities 20 References 44 Size 22 Dog park sign suggestions 46 Shape 24 Dog park checklist 47 UNLEASHED A GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL DOG PARKS PAGE 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Dog and Cat Management Board of South Australia would like to thank the following people and organisations for their contribution to this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • An Examination of Dog Ownership in the Promotion of Walking As a Form Of
    An Examination of Dog Ownership in the Promotion of Walking as a Form of Physical Activity and its Effects on Physical and Psychological Health by Nikolina Antonacopoulos A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology Carleton University Ottawa, Canada ©2016 Nikolina Antonacopoulos Abstract The low percentage of Canadian adults who are sufficiently active is of concern in light of the detrimental health consequences associated with insufficient physical activity. Two studies were conducted in order to explore dog walking as a means of obtaining physical activity and the possible health benefits from dog walking. In Study 1, dog walking was examined from three perspectives through a week-long study of 61 regular dog walkers. First, summary statistics revealed that slightly more than half of the time spent dog walking was at a moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA1) level and approximately 2 in 5 dog owners met the Canadian physical activity guideline through dog walking alone. Second, analyses revealed that an important factor affecting time spent dog walking at a MVPA1 level is the size of the dog, as it is a factor that individuals who are acquiring a dog can take into consideration. Another key finding was that all of the dog walkers reported that they walk their dog for its well-being, which indicates that dog walking is a purposeful physical activity. This suggests that dog walking should be promoted in terms of its benefits for the dog. Third, analyses comparing dog walkers' psychological health before and after their dog walks revealed an improvement on six out of seven psychological health measures.
    [Show full text]
  • Province Park – Dog Park Membership Pass Application & Waiver
    Gate Access Card #________ Tag #________ Province Park – Dog Park Membership Pass Application & Waiver Annual membership passes to the Province Park Dog Park are issued for a one-year period and are good for 365 days from the date of purchase. There will be a limited number of annual membership passes sold each year and memberships will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. All owners/members must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, and present proof of current vaccinations for their dogs as part of the membership application process. Owners/members are responsible for keeping their dogs’ vaccinations current and up-to-date at all times. Members may visit the Province Park Dog Park during regular park hours, from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. Franklin Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to close Province Park Dog Park at any time for maintenance purposes. An annual dog park membership consists of a collar tag for each dog, and a gate access card for the owner. The collar tag must be visible on the dog while using the off leash zone. The tag for each dog is $40.00 per dog, per tag. Additional dog tag is $15. Only one gate access card is allowed per household. The cost for a replacement gate access card is $10.00. Please complete all lines below (incomplete or illegible applications will not be processed) Name of Owner Date Owner’s Address City State Zip Owner’s Telephone Number Cell Phone Owner’s Email Address Emergency Contact Name and Number Name of Dog Breed of Dog Age of Dog Approximate Weight of Dog Name of Dog’s Veterinarian Vet’s Phone Form of Dog’s Identification (Circle One): Collar Tag Microchip Please present this completed dog park membership form along with a copy of vaccination records documenting current vaccinations for Rabies, Parvo, Distemper and Bordetella (Kennel Cough), along with payment to: Franklin Parks and Recreation Department 396 Branigin Boulevard Franklin, IN 46131 Membership Rules & Etiquette Please do not allow unacceptable or irresponsible behavior to ruin the experience of other users.
    [Show full text]
  • Dog Parks Why They Are a Bad Idea
    Dog Parks Why They Are a Bad Idea By: Ed Frawley Copyright Leerburg® Enterprises Inc. Leerburg Kennels Foreword When you view this eBook in PDF format. Click on BOOKMARKS on the top left side of your PDF reader, these bookmarks are eBook chapters. Leerburg® Kennel and Video is owned by Ed Frawley. Ed has owned German Shepherds (GSD) for over 45 years. Since 978 he has bred over 350 litters of German working bloodline GSD’s. His dogs work in law enforcement, as S&R dogs, as competition Schutzhund dogs, and as family companions and protectors. Since 980 Ed has produced over 120 dog training videos and DVDs. He was a police K-9 handler for 0 years, competed in several dog sports, including AKC obedience and Schutzhund. In addition he has built one of the top dog training supply businesses in the world. If you go to the web site Leerburg.com® you will see that it has over 0,000 printed pages. The Leerburg® Web Discussion board has over 0,000 registered members and over 120,000 posts in the archives. Learn to use our site search function. Copyright Leerburg® Enterprises Inc. “Dog Parks” Why They Are a Bad Idea! “It’s Your Job to Protect Your Dog” By Ed Frawley Here is a book that I recommend you read called Fatal Dog Attacks About once every couple of days I get an email from someone asking about problems with their dogs being attacked when they are on walks or running loose at one of the local parks that many cities setup.
    [Show full text]
  • Dog Park Rules
    ALLEN COUNTY DOG PARK RULES 1) All dogs must display current dog license and rabies vaccination tags secured on their collars at all times. 2) Dogs must be accompanied by an adult that will remain with their dog. 3) Dog owners are required to clean up all animal waste and repair any damage. 4) Owners should carry a leash with them at all times. 5) No more than 3 dogs per handler at any one time. 6) No human or pet food is allowed in the Dog Park area. 7) Bring your own disposable water bowl. 8) Dog must be leashed when entering and leaving the Park. 9) Dog aggression is strictly not tolerated. Acts of dog aggression shall be controlled by: (a) putting the dog back on its leash and leaving 10) All dog bites or scratches shall be reported to staff immediately 11) Dogs with known history or continued acts of aggression shall not be permitted to use this facility. 12) Owners will not permit their dogs to bark continuously or frequently. It is unlawful for any dog owner to permit that animal to create a continued disturbance across a property boundary. 13) All female dogs shall not be in season and both males and females should be sterilized. 14) Children should be under direct supervision of their parents or guardians at all times. 15) It is unlawful to abandon any animal at any time. 16) No strollers, carriages, bicycles, scooters, skates, roller blades, or skateboards are permitted in the Dog Park. 17) Toys-please pick up any toys you bring or use, prior to leaving the park.
    [Show full text]
  • Dog Parks: Benefits and Liabilities
    University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Master of Environmental Studies Capstone Department of Earth and Environmental Projects Science 5-29-2007 Dog Parks: Benefits and Liabilities Laurel Allen University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/mes_capstones Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons Allen, Laurel, "Dog Parks: Benefits and Liabilities" (2007). Master of Environmental Studies Capstone Projects. 18. https://repository.upenn.edu/mes_capstones/18 Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Environmental Studies 2007. This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/mes_capstones/18 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Dog Parks: Benefits and Liabilities Abstract Dog parks have emerged in the last decade or so as places for pet owners living in suburban and urban areas to exercise their dogs. Providing a safe environment for both dog and human is a tremendous challenge. If done correctly a dog park can be that place. In the 1950s and 1960s, some state and regional parks had liberal policies and permitted dogs to run free or off-leash on certain trails, but in most cities and other urban areas, dog owners were required to keep their dog on-leash when the animals left their own premises. The concept of a dog park, an enclosed area devoted exclusively to canine activity, evolved in California in 1979. Dog parks are now found in every state, but Alaska, and in at least six Canadian provinces. These parks generally consist of one or more acres of open grassland surrounded by a chain-link fence.
    [Show full text]
  • Dog-Walking Behaviours Affect Gastrointestinal Parasitism in Park-Attending Dogs Anya F Smith1, Christina AD Semeniuk2, Susan J Kutz1 and Alessandro Massolo1*
    Smith et al. Parasites & Vectors 2014, 7:429 http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/7/1/429 RESEARCH Open Access Dog-walking behaviours affect gastrointestinal parasitism in park-attending dogs Anya F Smith1, Christina AD Semeniuk2, Susan J Kutz1 and Alessandro Massolo1* Abstract Background: In urban parks, dogs, wildlife and humans can be sympatric, introducing the potential for inter- and intra-specific transmission of pathogens among hosts. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of zoonotic and non-zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites in dogs in Calgary city parks, and assess if dog-walking behaviour, park management, history of veterinary care, and dog demographics were associated with parasitism in dogs Methods: From June to September 2010, 645 questionnaires were administered to dog owners in nine city parks to determine behavioural and demographic factors, and corresponding feces from 355 dogs were collected. Dog feces were analyzed for helminth and some protozoan species using a modified sugar flotation technique and microscopic examination, a subsample was analyzed for Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. using a direct immunofluorescence assay. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were conducted to determine associations among behaviours, demographics, and parasite prevalence and infection intensities Results: Parasite prevalence was 50.2%. Giardia spp. (24.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (14.7%), and Cystoisospora spp. (16.8%) were the most prevalent parasites. Helminth prevalence was low (4.1%). Presence of Giardia spp. was more likely in intact and young dogs; and infection with any parasite and Giardia spp. intensity were both positively associated with dogs visiting multiple parks coupled with a high frequency of park use and off-leash activity, and with being intact and young.
    [Show full text]