Construction Underway on New Off-Leash Park at Mainland Common

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Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 (Halifax, NS) – Construction of a fenced off-leash dog park at the Halifax Mainland Common got underway this week. The first phase of the new public space is expected to open no later than Dec. 31.

Work over the next couple of weeks will include constructing a new entry gate, pathway, seating and tables inside the existing fenced portion of the off-leash park.

Crews also hope to get started on the second phase of the project, which focuses on the wooded area of the park. That work will include bringing in small machinery to clean out some of the deadwood and underbrush for pathways, and removing some trees to achieve the planned layout of the park.

The park at the Mainland Common replaces the off-leash area at Africville Park, which Council directed staff to decommission once a new site was identified and opened. Councillors had asked that the new park be in place by the end of 2014.

Dogs will still be permitted in Africville Park after the off-leash area is closed, as long as they are on a leash and accompanied by their owner.

A number of sites were identified as possible locations for the new off-leash park. Municipal staff gathered public input on the issue through written submissions and two public engagement sessions. Regional Council voted Dec. 2 to accept the phased-in approach at the Mainland Common.

For more information on municipal off-leash areas and the Off-Leash Parks Strategy, please visit http://www.halifax.ca/property/OLPS/index.php.

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