New Off-Leash Area is a Start But More Locations Sought

The new off-leash dog area along Hwy. 22 between Quigley Dr. and West Rock Road is one small step forward in meeting the needs of Cochrane's dog owners and was officially opened Friday afternoon,

Mayor Genung snipped the ribbon with the assistance of Parks manager Brad Luft and Community Services senior manager Gerry Murphy and the gate was swung open to allow dogs to enjoy running free while their owners kept watch and socialized with others.

It's not the same location as originally proposed, is one acre smaller and doesn't include an agility area or parking stalls, but it's now complete. Due to the opposition from nearby residents, the off-leash area was moved from north of Quigley Dr. Last June, town council gave thumbs up to the new location, despite parking concerns by Westside Dr. restaurants.

The area is fenced on all sides, has a minimal amount of landscaping and an asphalt pathway runs its length. There's a dual gate staging area on the south end to help prepare dogs for entry and exit. There’s also a small-dog-only area south of West Rock Road.

Senior Communications Advisor Laurie Drukier says the project had a budget of $330,000 and should there be excess funds remaining they will be placed in the town's parks reserve.

"I think it's been in the conversation for so long, and it's good to finally open something up and take some of the pressure off of the other parks, says Mayor Genung. "They are a large group of people who recreate with their animals so it's good to have another space for them to do so."

Julie Sharpe, a member of the Off-Leash Advocacy Group (OLAG), was at the opening and says the more off-leash areas, the better. She says the park wasn't the best option, but having an area specifically for small dogs is welcomed by many dog owners.

"Having more spaces and reducing that congestion is making it safer and more fun for everyone."

Nick Heazell, a Sunset resident, brought his dog Rey and welcomes the completion of the new park that is a bit closer to his home and will better serve Sunset residents. What remains particularly challenging for dog owners, though, is the lack of off-leash areas south of the Bow River, he points out.

The need for more and better parks was pressed during an OLAG presentation to town council on July 9 that reiterated what they told the new parks and recreation board a few weeks early.

They've done extensive research in pointing out possible future sites to the town and over 100 people responded to a survey on their Facebook page. They've asked the town to identify which areas could go ahead as multi-use/off-leash areas and advise what steps are needed to see them developed.  

Surveys completed rated an off-leash park in the Ranche area, just north of the historic site and south of the Cochrane RancheHouse as an ideal location. That was followed by a loop in the Bow Meadows area that offers a sizeable loop between homes and the Bow River, while an area in Sunset adjacent to Hwy. 22 north of the St. Timothy High School ranked third. There were seven areas in all examined, all on property owned by the town.

Sunset and Fireside were both seen by those responding as having the largest need for off-leash and dog parks. Most felt the most important feature is the inclusion of a loop, followed by fencing, garbage receptors and poop bag dispensers, and adequate parking.

The town's Open Space Master Plan calls for off-leash areas or dog parks to be established in Sunset Ridge, Heritage Hills, Fireside and Southbow Landing. Establishing off-leash areas in existing neighbourhoods is more challenging and controversial, though, and a proposed criterion will be presented at a future council meeting.

There were 4,637 licenced dogs in Cochrane as of July 4, double the number here seven years ago yet the number of off-leash areas remains the same, says OLAG. There are 200 more licenced dogs since OLAG made their last presentation to council last June.