Councillor wants input on need for dog park - Jul. 27, 2010
Kathy Bockus/Courier
St. Stephen town councillor Barb Donovan gets a kiss from Bailey, her Cairn Terrier while Duchess, a West Highland White Terrier, looks on in approval. Donovan wants to know if local residents would like to see a dog park established in the community.
By KATHY BOCKUS
kathy@stcroixcourier.ca
ST. STEPHEN – Bailey and Duchess and all their canine, four-footed friends need somewhere safe to play.
That’s why their owner, Barb Donovan, a St. Stephen town councillor, has taken the lead in pursuing whether a dog park can be created within the municipality.
Bailey, eight, is a black, cute-as-a-button Cairn Terrier. Her partner in crime is Duchess, a 10-year-old rather reserved West Highland white terrier.
“Duchess is a bit grumpy, but as a general rule, gets along well with other dogs and people. But she runs away and comes back on her own time,” explained Donovan.
Bailey is much more obedient and eager to please and scoots back immediately when called, “unless she sees a squirrel or a cat.”
Donovan said council received a letter recently from a local couple extolling the virtues of a dog park in Saint John. They thought it would be a good thing for St. Stephen to have.
At Mayor Jed Purcell’s request, Donovan, who said she had to agree with the couple, has decided to test the waters, with the help and support of council, to see if there is any community interest in creating a dog park.
“We need a fenced in, off-leash dog park where well-behaved dogs can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people or property.
“Ultimately, my goal is to develop a space designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike which will be open to all who will be willing to uphold the parks rules and regulations.
Donovan said dog owners will be expected to scoop the poop and keep the park a clean and healthy place for dogs which will reduce messes in other public areas.
“I look forward to the whole town enjoying the benefits of a clean and safe park for our precious woofies to play “
Donovan has enlisted the help of John Ferguson, the town’s chief administrative officer, in the search for underutilized town-owned property.
“We need to find a piece of property we can revitalize.”
Fencing would be the major cost of creating a dog park. A water supply and shade are other important components.
Donovan has established an email account – ststephen.dogpark@gmail.com - and would like to receive comments and suggestions on the dog park idea.
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