Boyle McCauley News

Since 1979 • April-May 2024 • Circulation 5000

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A Dog Park in McCauley – Progress Report

We are making some progress in finding a place for a dog park in McCauley. Most of us who have dogs walk them on leash as required by City of Edmonton bylaws. But, our dogs still need a place to run freely off-leash so they can get enough exercise to keep them healthy. Giovanni Caboto Park, with its children’s play and sports areas, is not suitable for this mixed purpose.

In other areas of the city, dog parks are not fenced but are in protected semi-wild park areas like down by the river. But here in McCauley, we don’t have any wild areas, but we do have lots of traffic, so we eventually will need to get an area fenced so the dogs don’t run out onto the busy streets. My own two dogs absolutely LOVE going to the dog parks, where they run as fast as they can, exploring and playing, and meeting other dogs.

Of course, we have to be responsible for our dogs’ behaviour, and we must make sure to pick up after our dogs. So on a trial basis, once we have permission to use a plot of land, we need to show the land owners and neighbours that we are responsible citizens, and that we will keep the area clean and trouble-free. Then, they may let us use this area of land for a dog park on a more permanent basis. Of course, the rules about dogs’ behaviour in off-leash parks will be the same as for other dog parks – see the City of Edmonton website for details. Dispensers of doggie bags and garbage cans will be provided at the entrance.

This is just the start of what we hope will eventually be a wonderful local dog park area in our neighbourhood, where we can go with our dogs so they can get exercise running and playing safely and freely off-leash. If you have questions over the summer, or want to know how our negotiations are progressing, please call me, Joanne McNeal, at (780) 641-5415, or e-mail me at jomcneal@yahoo.com. Have a great summer!

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