Updated: November 30, 2020
Background
On January 16th, 2018, Regional Council approved Administrative Order 2017-013-OP to guide the decision making regarding the designation of off-leash areas within municipal parks. We invite you to review the staff report that accompanied the new Administrative Order.
Regional Council also directed staff to identify potential additional off-leash areas within the communities of Cole Harbour, Eastern Passage, Spryfield and Dartmouth. Staff are currently undertaking this review.
The decision to designate a portion of a park as off-leash is subject to the approval of Regional Council. Staff will be providing recommendations to Regional Council via separate staff reports for identified sites following public consultations.
Project Status
Dartmouth
On October 16th, 2018 Regional Council considered, and approved, the staff recommendation that a portion of Don Bayer Park, 26 Troop Avenue, Dartmouth be designated a year-round dedicated (fully fenced) off-leash area. Details are contained within a Staff Report
Detailed design of the new off-leash area is part of the 2020/21 Capital Budget and funds for construction will be included in future budgets.
When construction is complete the off-leash area will be officially opened to the public. In the meantime, the Don Bayer Sports Field remains available as a seasonal (Nov 1 – May 1) off-leash area.
Cole Harbour
On June 5, 2018 Regional Council passed the following motion:
“That Halifax Regional Council request staff prepare a comprehensive park plan for the Rehab Lands on Bissett Road, to be completed as a 2019/20 Business Plan deliverable, which shall incorporate community engagement, the Cole Harbour Open Space Plan, and consideration of an Off-Leash Dog Park. MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.”
Community engagement for a new park plan on the former Rehabilitation Centre Lands which will consider a dog off-leash area is taking place through Shape Your City starting in December 2020.
Eastern Passage
Some initial consideration of the Eastern Passage Common as a potential off-leash location occurred through the recent development of a plan for this park that was approved by Regional Council on February 25, 2020. The public planning process indicated there were both proponents and opponents to having a dog off-leash site within the Eastern Passage Common. Accordingly, the park plan outlined that a separate process specifically related to a proposed off-leash area was required to understand the needs of the community and to establish the best location for an off-leash area in Eastern Passage.
Community engagement regarding potential dog off-leash areas in Eastern Passage is taking place through Shape Your City in December 2020 to mid-January 2021.
Spryfield
March 10, 2020 Halifax Regional Council Motion (Item 15.6.1): MOVED by Councillor Adams, seconded by Councillor Mancini THAT Halifax Regional Council request a staff report on the feasibility of a dog park on a portion of HRM owned parkland in the Governors Brook subdivision. MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
On September 22, 2020 Regional Council approved the staff report, ‘Potential dog off-leash area in Governors Brook Subdivision and program update’.
The report provides an assessment of five parks in the immediate vicinity of Governors Brook Subdivision: Alabaster Way Community Park, Travertine Court Park and Titanium Crescent Park, Governors Brook District Park, and a section of McIntosh Run Regional Park. The latter is the only location that has potential suitability for an off-leash area.
Public consultation regarding a dog off-leash area in the Governors Brook Subdivision will be starting in early 2021.
On August 14, 2018 Regional Council passed the following motion:
“That Halifax Regional Council request a staff report to look at potential of off leash dog parks in the Long Lake Provincial Park Area; excluding the new trail system off North West Arm Drive. MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.”
Staff are currently working with the NS Department of Lands and Forestry (formerly the Department of Natural Resources) to further examine a potential partnership for the Long Lake Provincial Park and other potential candidate sites within the community.
Community engagement regarding potential dog off-leash areas in the vicinity of Governor’s Brook is taking place through Shape Your City to March 7, 2021.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact:
Richard Harvey
Manager of Policy and Planning, Parks & Recreation
Phone: 902.476.5822
Email: harveyri@halifax.ca