Sidney is one and a half years old, has boundless energy, loves romping around outdoors and fetch is his favourite game.
He fits the description of almost any toddler, but Sidney is, in fact, a dog, and his owner is spearheading a new campaign for an off-leash dog park inside town boundaries.
On Monday (Jan. 24), long-term resident Guy Pettigrew told town council the lack of an off-leash park in Banff is a concern, particularly when considering the behavioural, mental and physical needs of dogs.
“When Sid hasn’t been outside for time to socialize or be physically active, he is a challenge. He will spin around and chase his tail until we interrupt him; he will dig at the carpet, bark at strangers outside, and whine, begging for us to get him outside and exercised,” he said.
“A day after a good run or a solid amount of time to play with other dogs, Sid is tired and happy. He listens much better and he is mentally and physically stimulated.”
So far, 513 dog owners have signed a petition for an off-leash dog area. The petition also includes support from people willing to volunteer to build a fence and help fundraise for the project.
Following Pettigrew’s pitch, council unanimously directed administration to look at the feasibility of an off-leash dog park, plus scout potential locations as part of a recreation master plan being completed by the community services department this year.
Presently, many dog owners use their yards to exercise their dogs, or they illegally run their dogs on town or national park lands. Others drive to neighbouring Canmore where there are legal off-leash dog areas.
This issue has been brought to town council over the past decade, but councillors indicated the biggest obstacle has always been trying to find an appropriate location given the town’s limited land base.
Councillor Grant Canning, who campaigned for an off-leash dog area during the 2010 municipal election, said he certainly shares residents’ concerns and desire to create an off-leash dog area.
“For me, personally, we have one or two options. I can do it illegally, and that probably happens more than we like to think, or I can drive to Canmore, but neither of those options are particularly agreeable to me,” he said.
“There is a lack of available land in our community, but if we don’t look at, we will never know. I do honestly think we can find the space. I think it’s possible.”
A 2004 report prepared by Banff’s planning department identified three potential locations for an off-leash dog park – Whiskey Creek/Marmot Crescent area, north of the Middle Springs and Park Avenue residential areas, and two sites at the Banff recreation grounds.
At that time, Parks Canada met with town administration and indicated they would support an off-leash dog park within town, according to the 2004 report, but was firm that no park would be allowed outside the boundary where there are concerns for sensitive wildlife.
Jasper has an off-leash dog area relatively close to the downtown, which is surrounded by a high fence.
Kevin Van Tighem, superintendent of Banff National Park, said he has not had any recent discussions with the Town of Banff on this issue, but is certainly open to discussing any proposals that may come up inside town boundaries.
“The National Parks Act applies to all parts of the park, including the Town of Banff, and they do require domestic animals be under physical control at all times,” he said.
“Having said that, having a domestic animal in a fenced space is keeping it under physical control. With a fence, it would be consistent with the regulation, but the idea of designating an area where animals can just run free would not be consistent.”
Coun. Stavros Karlos voiced support for taking another look at an off-leash dog area, provided it’s considered within the context of the upcoming recreation, parks and cultural services master plan.
“I believe it is important to do it within the recreation master plan because there might be other interests,” he said.
“There’s competing needs in the universe for our limited space, especially the universe surrounded by national park.”
