The popular off-leash dog park at Summerland鈥檚 Peach Orchard Beach Park is staying around a bit longer than expected.
At the district鈥檚 meeting on Monday, Nov. 7, council directed staff to bring forward costing and options during the budget process to continue the dog park at its current location at Peach Orchard, and in the interim to maintain the current temporary fencing and amenities.
Council had previously asked St. John鈥檚 Evangelical Lutheran Church if it would be willing to host a temporary dog park on its property but the church said it was unable to for logistical reasons.
Council had voted to shutter the popular dog park at Peach Orchard and look for alternative locations.
In September, a motion to make Peach Orchard permanent was defeated by council.
Robert Hacking of the Summerland Dog Owners Association said a petition to keep the temporary park in place received 519 signatures.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no question of the demand for a park like this,鈥� he said.
The pop-up park includes two separate double-gated entrances, picnic tables, a garbage container and a dog bag dispenser.
While nearly three out of five residents had positive comments about the dog park, there were concerns raised, especially from residents above Peach Orchard Park in Tuscan Terrace.
鈥淲ith two dog parks during the summer, the noise level will be loud daily. Why should we have to put up with that?鈥� one respondent said in feedback collected by the municipality.
Others were more supportive of the dog area in the Peach Orchard Park location.
鈥淚 am so thankful for the pilot project of the new dog park! In my opinion, this is a very positive addition to the community and hope that it will become a permanent dog park,鈥� one response read.
At the September meeting, Coun. Doug Patan said Summerland looked at other locations for a dog park. He said the temporary site is well-used and accepted by a lot of people.
鈥淲e built a community within that park,鈥� he said.
He added that the goose population that was once a problem at Peach Orchard Beach has now been reduced since the dog park was set up.
鈥� with files from John Arendt
