Fenced Dog Park at Ponds Corridor: Community Consultation

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Sooke is working to enhance community identity, vitality, and safety – and a fenced dog park offers one mechanism to do so. Highly requested by residents as a desirable community amenity, dog parks offer many benefits; they provide:

  • a centralized location for like-minded residents to connect, share and join together. Dog parks create a sense of community and forge friendships among users.
  • an increase in livability in the town core where lots are smaller than in the rural areas of Sooke.
  • a safe space for residents with mobility concerns to allow their dogs to run.

Additional benefits include:

  • supporting pet’s health - getting the proper amount of exercise is vital for their wellness. For people with more active breeds, taking them on walks may not be enough to release their energy. Fenced dog parks give pets the opportunity to run faster and play hard with other pets in the park.
  • well-exercised dogs are tired dogs, and tired dogs are more likely to be good (and quiet) neighbours.
  • several studies have shown dog parks discourage crime, loitering and raise property values.

Further benefits and interest expressed for this amenity is highlighted throughout the Parks and Trails Master Plan. The dog park will be a 20 metre x 50 metre fenced space, located in Ponds Corridor. Phase one of the park development will include 1.8 metre chain link fence, swing gates, bear resistant waste station and parking.

Sooke is working to enhance community identity, vitality, and safety – and a fenced dog park offers one mechanism to do so. Highly requested by residents as a desirable community amenity, dog parks offer many benefits; they provide:

  • a centralized location for like-minded residents to connect, share and join together. Dog parks create a sense of community and forge friendships among users.
  • an increase in livability in the town core where lots are smaller than in the rural areas of Sooke.
  • a safe space for residents with mobility concerns to allow their dogs to run.

Additional benefits include:

  • supporting pet’s health - getting the proper amount of exercise is vital for their wellness. For people with more active breeds, taking them on walks may not be enough to release their energy. Fenced dog parks give pets the opportunity to run faster and play hard with other pets in the park.
  • well-exercised dogs are tired dogs, and tired dogs are more likely to be good (and quiet) neighbours.
  • several studies have shown dog parks discourage crime, loitering and raise property values.

Further benefits and interest expressed for this amenity is highlighted throughout the Parks and Trails Master Plan. The dog park will be a 20 metre x 50 metre fenced space, located in Ponds Corridor. Phase one of the park development will include 1.8 metre chain link fence, swing gates, bear resistant waste station and parking.

Do you have a question about the fenced-dog park that is not already captured in our FAQs? Ask it here and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

Our team will respond to questions during regular District operating hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (excluding holidays).

You need to be signed in to add your question.

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    Will there be a time frame for access to the dog park? Who will be responsible for opening and closing the gate?

    blacv asked almost 3 years ago

    Yes, there will be hours of operation. The hours have not been determined as public feedback will inform this decision. The hours will also indicate the mechanism of securing the park, such as whether this is managed by staff, an alternate method such as a programmable gate, or a combination of these approaches. 

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    Will the existing trail through the Park be left outside the proposed dog walk in order that we can enjoy the Park without having to deal with dogs, dog owners and the inevitable dog feces.

    Rae asked almost 3 years ago

    Yes, trail access will remain. After receiving input from the public, a site design will be developed which will specify the location and access to/from/surrounding the site. 

Page last updated: 18 Mar 2022, 03:13 PM