My name is Helena and I also live in the housing co-op adjacent the new proposed dog park. My friends and I are appalled that city council is so uncaring — let’s just attach the dog park to those low rentals.
We are co-op shareholders who reside in the 50 houses next to the proposed park. In fact some of our backyards are attached to this green space that they are taking away from the children in our neighbourhood. In order to find a safe play area the children would need to walk blocks away to a very little kiddie playground not big enough for more then six little children, which has a couple of little slides and a small climbing apparatus surrounded by sand.
This aforementioned green space, at this time is a buffer area between a very busy road and our backyards, a play field for the kids and a beautification to our area. We pay taxes like everyone else and since we have very little privacy as is, we think it is a hardship on most of the people who live here.
The city makes allowances for the Akinsdale area residents because they don't want low-income family housing in their area although they have a great piece of land suitable for such buildings. Well how would they like the stink from the dog feces and the noise from dogs, their owners and their cars at the backyards, as well as the cars parking at your back door. Don't be fooled into thinking that those so-called responsible dog owners will pick up the poop. (I apologize to the few responsible pet owners that are cleaning up after their pets). If anyone thinks that we have nothing to gripe about, can I deposit the stuff from the dogs’ visits in your backyard?
Is it not enough that we have to live with the humming of the giant power lines? We are people with families whose kids play soccer and other games on that stretch of land. Now they can't even safely walk out of the back gate. You are subjecting our children to imminent danger. Can you guarantee the people who will bring their animals are not in the undesirable category, or that their pets are not infested with parasites that will be on the grass where we will have to walk when we leave our yards? We will carry those things on our shoes and pass them on to our pets and children. Good thought, right? We cross the area to go to the bus or store, as well as I said before, our older children play there. Some of our residents are allergic to dogs and cats. We the residents have to keep our pets on our property and keep them quiet, not to disturb the others.
It is not fair for the city to expect us to stay in our houses just because they want another park where one has to dodge the left-behinds of irresponsible dog owners. If you do not believe me, visit your Eco-park. The stench of dog excrement is atrocious, and they want to place this at our door. I think that as taxpayers we are entitled to a healthy living environment. Or does one have to be a dog in order to be treated fair? There are many land parcels just a few minutes by car away that are better suited for your doggie park.
Helena Charest, St. Albert
