One of the main reasons why we moved here a few years ago was the abundance of parks, green spaces and playgrounds that St. Albert had to offer. And we used the parks and playgrounds quite frequently, until this year!
This year dogs now occupy our parks and playgrounds! We are now in direct competition with canines for our parks and green spaces! The worst part of this is stepping in dog poop. We used to play in the parks in bare feet, but not anymore! Yes, I believe that 90 per cent to 95 per cent of dog owners pick up after their dogs, but all it takes is for you to step in dog poop in bare feet once and that’s enough!
I find it very odd that we would have a public children’s playground situated right in the middle of a dog park/off leash area! I have called the RCMP and in theory there is no difference between a dog park and an off leash area, it is just a matter of how many dogs are in the off leash area at one time.
I did do some research and I contacted cities and municipalities in the St. Albert surrounding area and asked if they had dog park /off leash areas with public children’s playground in the middle of them and not one city or municipalities has this set up. And I’m sure if I would expand my research to all of North America, I would not find one other city that would have a dog park with a public children’s playground in the middle of it!
While doing my research I found more interesting facts and figures:
Ft. Saskatchewan: Population 24,040, one dog park/off leash area
Leduc: Population 13,542, one dog park/off leash area
Sherwood Park: population 64,733, one dog park/off leash area
Spruce Grove: population 29,526, two dog park/off leash areas
St. Albert: population 61,466, 20 dog park/off leash areas
Now, city councillors have passed another doggy bylaw that allows dogs to roam free at all outdoor rinks! Now, I’m probably in the minority here, but how many places do dogs need to roam free here in this city??
Where can we the people go to run, play, frolic – in our bare feet – without running into dogs and stepping in doggy poop? Do we want our lush green parks to turn into brown dust bowls, like Lacombe Park Dog Park. Please give the people back their green spaces, park and playgrounds!
R.L. Heureux, St. Albert
