There will be no dog park on Levasseur Road after city council on Monday unanimously voted down its proposed construction, four years after the site was originally identified.
With $140,000 set for its construction and with AltaLink already having raised the power lines in the area for safety reasons, it was concerns about the appearance of a chain link fence and the impact such a park would have on surrounding homes that ultimately led to its demise.
"The residents have spoken loud and clear," said Coun. Cathy Heron. "Its proximity to residential homes and their dislike of the project is such that I can't support it tonight."
In 2008 the city held an open house where residents who attended were asked to select their preferred locations for a dog park. While Lacombe Lake Park was ranked as the number one location, Levasseur Road came in a close second.
The parks are being funded from a $10 dog licence renewal fee.
The city held another open house in 2010 to assess residents' preferences for what the site should look like and what amenities it should contain. The proposed Levasseur Road location would have seen a 20-stall parking lot, as well as benches and waste receptacles for dog excrement.
But because of the overhead power lines running across the area, the final design had to be approved by AltaLink. It, in turn, had to work to raise the power lines in the area to ensure safe overhead clearance. After some delay, that work was completed in March.
For Mayor Nolan Crouse, it was the presence of a chain link fence he couldn't support. Because of the agreement with AltaLink, no plantings or earth movement of any kind would have been allowed, meaning the fence would have been quite visible.
"I just don't want a fenced-in area with a chain link fence. I'm not happy with a chain link fence. The residents are the most affected and have also opposed it," Crouse said.
Two of those residents turned out to speak in opposition to the park. Greg Schell, secretary-treasurer for the Heritage Gates condominium association, decried the location for the loss of green space the parking lot would cause, as well as the noises and odours that would impact residents.
"There would definitely be hardship on those having to relocate," Schell said. "It's not just a matter of tenants moving someplace else because of the noise and odour problem.
Schell added it was a very high traffic area to begin with.
"Just adding a dog park would increase the traffic into this area."
Crouse did ask Chris Jardine, general manager of community and protective services, to find a new location for "dog park number two."
New dog park
On a separate matter, however, council did give preliminary approval for a new dog park that will still be referred to as dog park number three.
After examining different locations, recreation services director Monique St. Louis recommended a dry stormwater pond north of Servus Credit Union Place.
The location, St. Louis said, is immediately available, does not impact any residential areas and is adjacent Servus Place, which St. Louis said had given the idea their endorsement.
It's only disadvantages were terrain that was not as diverse as other areas and it might not be useable in the event of a significant storm.
"Although they are called dog parks, they are dog-friendly parks. It's really intended to be multipurpose. The purpose is there are amenities on site that promote dog users such as waste receptacles and benches."
With council's approval, the recreation department will start a community engagement process and work on a preliminary design concept. Council will receive an update next January.
