Dispute continues over permanent dog park location in Summerland, B.C.

The District of Summerland has been struggling to find a more permanent solution for a much larger dog park in town.

Finding a permanent spot for more off-leash dog areas has been an ongoing issue for years in Summerland, B.C.

A number of local dog owners have been pushing for another off-leash park while other residents have raised concerns over the loss of viable fields, or the impacts dogs would have on the area.

“The problem we have in Summerland for a lot of things is that there’s just no perfect location to put a dog park,” said Summerland’s Mayor Doug Holmes.

“Just like there’s no perfect location to put pickleball courts, there’s no perfect location to put high-density housing, there’s no perfect location to put a solar array… so every time we are so challenged by our topography really and our agricultural spaces.”

The district had trialed several spots around town, including at Dale Meadows Park. The pilot project there was eventually made permanent, but it is a small property.

“But it’s quite small, so it’s only suitable for small dogs. We knew there was still demand for a large dog park.”

Back in May temporary fencing was put up at Peach Orchard Beach Park to create a pop-up off-leash dog park. And since the trial started council has received a significant amount of feedback.

Response to this spot has been mixed, some residents feel this is not the right location while others say it is perfect.