Portable toilets at Edmonton’s Terwillegar dog park destroyed by fire 6 times this year

Flaming porta-potties probably aren’t something you think about when taking your dog for a walk, but that’s a burning problem in southwest Edmonton’s Terwillegar dog park.

The city says portable toilets at the park have been destroyed by fire six times this year.

“We can confirm that there have been six incidents this year where the porta-potties located at Terwillegar Park have been destroyed due to fire. Incidents occurred in January, February, June, July, August and September. As a result of these incidents, there currently are not any toilet facilities available in the Park,” said the City of Edmonton in a statement.

“Why? What’s the point?” asked Colette Carlin, a woman walking her dog at the park Thursday.

Parkgoer Andrew McLeod added, “It’s just frustrating. We come out here and walk every weekend, and it’s about five kilometres. If you have to use the washroom, it’s just frustrating now there’s nowhere to go.”

You can still see charred remains of the sign that used to welcome you to Terwillegar dog park, and the porta-potties that used to stand there.

The melted mess is a disgusting sight Terrie Holgerson is all too familiar with.

“Why can’t we have nice things in Edmonton?” asked Holgerson.

She runs the Tangent Treats food truck serving up snacks for both humans and pets at Terwillegar Park for the past nine years.

She says losing a nearby bathroom adds another layer of stress to the workday and ruins enjoyment of the park for everyone.

“We see people going up the hill to McDonald’s, and I’m sure McDonald’s isn’t too keen on that,” she said.

People who love the park are frustrated. Some feel this messy situation highlights the need for permanent public washrooms.

“Just sort of any amenities here would make the park better, I think,” said Morgan Corbett, a pet owner at the park.

At least one dogwalker feels it would just make the damages more costly.

“I mean, if they’re burning down porta-potties, it’s probably going to be a problem where they have to constantly be fixing those, too,” said Stephanie Lowry-Berres.

The City of Edmonton says there are plans for permanent washrooms at Terwillegar dog park, but it all depends on funding, which hasn’t been set aside for this work yet.

For now, there are no washrooms at the park.

“The Terwillegar Park Concept Plan identifies a permanent washroom facility to be constructed in this park. Future permanent infrastructure for public washrooms will be considered, contingent upon funding availability,” said the City of Edmonton in a statement.

“We encourage anyone who encounters an emergency situation, such as an active fire, crime in progress, or any event where an individual’s health, safety, or property is in danger, to please call 911. For non-emergencies in the City of Edmonton, please call 311 or the Edmonton Police Service’s non-emergency line at 780-423-4567 or #377 from your mobile phone.”