Edmonton installing up to 30 new pop-up dog parks

With an increasing population of dogs in Edmonton, there is a growing demand for more off-leash parks. As part of the city’s Dogs in Open Spaces Strategy, up to 30 new pop-up dog parks will be installed this spring.

The new dog spaces will operate for up to six months as part of the pilot program and will cost the city between $150,000 and $300,000. The city’s end goal is for residents to be able to walk to a dog park within 15 minutes from their home.

The new pop-up parks will allow about 85 per cent of Edmonton neighborhoods to meet this goal. “It’s a huge win, I mean my tail’s wagging,” says Michael Janz, Edmonton city councillor.

“Edmontonians use these parks, and in fact, I think the problem is we have been underdeveloped over the past 100 years in terms of dog parks. If there is great demand, let’s deliver on it.”

Some are worried the city is biting more than it can chew.

Edmonton dog park map.

“I’d rather do what we currently have really well rather than expanding and doing everything mediocre,” says Erin Rutherford, Edmonton city councillor.

While she’s in favour of the pilot project, she does have hesitations. “I also think we need to be realistic to the current resources and capacity we have as a city before we continue to expand out further.”

Zach Taschuk is a pet owner who is happy to see the city making strides to make parks more accessible. “When you’re in the city core you don’t have a lot of options so it’s great to have these dog parks available,” he says.

“There’s not too many options around so it will be good to see more. I feel I have to come to this one often because it’s the only one nearby.”

However another dog owner spoke during the council meeting and while he’s happy to see more dog parks throughout Edmonton, he wants the city to take owners into account as well.

“The city would never permit an indoor recreation centre to be built without a toilet, so why do we allow a very large outdoor recreation area for dog walkers to exist without any toilet facilities?” says Harvey Voogd, a dog owner who frequents Lauderdale dog park.

“You will see seniors, children, families, people of all ages there, and to expect all of those people to walk their dogs and not use a washroom is unrealistic.”

Given the temporary nature of the pop-up parks, Janz says it will give council an opportunity to be adaptive. “We will be able to review next year, see where it went, see where there is demand, and adjust and change accordingly. We will be able to work our way through and work with neighborhoods and communities to deliver the right dog park in the right space.”.

All pop-up dog parks will have signate which include the responsibilities of dog owners, dog waste bags and dispensers, garbage cans and clear boundaries which could include temporary fencing or the use of signs.