Editor:
I was very excited last week when I took my dog for a walk through Port Royal, as I spotted a sign by the entrance to the open field that read: “Off Leash Dog Park Coming September 2019” - but my excitement was dashed when I read that the park is being prepped for small dogs only.
What a sad and frustrating surprise, seeing as most of the dogs in the area are of a larger breed.
We had the best dog park ever up until a year ago. Residents of Port Royal even donated to have the fence built. Apparently, it was closed because they were going to start development of the land. Well, no sign of development yet, nothing even started. They could have continued to let dogs and their owners use the space until development commenced.
There were meetings at the community centre regarding the new dog park and locations for it. In the end, the site chosen was not by any stretch what the residents requested. It is at the community centre by the skate park. This park is by no means even comparable to the one we lost. You can’t throw a ball for your dog, as it will go under the fence every time, and the mulch they have used is not recommended for dogs.
The area where they are building the new small dog park in Port Royal should be for larger dogs and they can build the small dog area on the parcel of land right beside it. All these areas will need is a fence. As mentioned, Port Royal residents paid for part of the other fence, which could be pulled up and put in use at the new facility.
There is plenty of room to build an even bigger park in the same area. There is a very large field that only half of seems to get used during events.
I have emailed the city more than once. This time, so far, they have not bothered to reply. They should. Port Royal is part of New Westminster, but maybe not the city’s preferred part.
Thank you very much, city hall, for not taking care of the residents of Port Royal, yet again.
Karen Doyle, New Westminster
