The Off Leash Advocacy Group (OLAG)  is hosting an open community meeting this Thursday (June 8).

The meeting is open to everyone and will provide the opportunity for the OLAG to speak about their thoughts on off leash spaces including the town's most recent proposal which will appear in front of council on June 12. 

Julie Sharpe, OLAG member, says the group also plans to appear in chamber's on Monday evening (June 12) voicing their concerns not only on the most recent proposal but the future of designated off leash spaces in general. "The group is going to be specifically asking for the reinstatement of the last plan plus a minimum of two more off leash designated spaces. Ideally, one north of Highway 1A and one south of Highway 1A, because people have been telling us about the congestion on the roads is one thing, but having to drive to your dog park is not ideal."

When it comes to administration's new proposal, which recently closed feedback (June 1), Sharpe, says many are not happy. "The general theme is that park may be well suited for tourists coming through town or truckers needing to walk their dogs it doesn't at all line up with the off leash or dog community of Cochrane priorities."

Sharpe says the highest priorities they are hearing is having a secure, fenced area; not just adding wire to the existing fence surrounding the area which has already proven to fail at the current location. "What dog park users want is security in their fences not just any old fence. In the initial fencing (plan) not only were they going to enhance that originally existing decorative fence, they were going to put shrubs and bushes in front if it and then a chain link fence in front of that. So the second proposal is infinitely weaker in design with this community's number one priority, which is security in the fencing ."

The last priorities that the community is concerned with is a small dog park, paved pathways, benches, and agility features. "Those are the last four things that the community is interested in...very low on their priority list. And that seems to be the focus on where the town's design has been and we don't understand where that comes from."

While the OLAG have been very active in asking for public opinion, they feel the town has not done the same. "We knew that they were making a decision to pursue or not pursue the initial proposal but we did not know they were going to just toss the proposal out and the general attitude the group is feeling is 'here's a park , now shut up and go away' kind of an offer and it's disingenuous. Some group members have actually been told by different council members and administration that if you don't accept this then that's pretty much going to be it and you won't get anything then. The group is not willing to accept this; it's not fair, it's not right."

The group is not only singly focusing in on one off leash area but instead looking at the big picture. "This is a group who really wants to see off leash access for every community in Cochrane. I mean developers are required to design it into their developments that is why we have urban reserve zoning it's just that the developers aren't being held accountable to actually construct it like they are a children's park. So it gets ignored and left behind."

The groups long range collaboratively decided vision states, "the team's mission is to advocate for dog friendly spaces in all communities of Cochrane with three priorities: engagement with the community, engagement with the town council, and the development of healthy dog ownership and healthy dog communities."

The OLAG have spent a great deal of time researching what works well in other communities, polling the public on various social media sites, as well as taking a direct look at the economical benefits dog owners bring to town.

If you would like to hear more about the advocacy group and join the conversation drop in to the Cochrane Toyota Community Room from 6 -7:45 pm this Thursday (June 8) or join them at council on June 12.

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Council Pulls the Leash on Dog Park Placement