The District of Sparwood has officially begun construction on the community’s first Off-Leash Dog Park, located at 441 Pine Avenue.
After months of discussion at District Council, the park is now under construction, set to provide Sparwood’s first community space for dogs and owners.
“Council is thrilled to see this project begin,” said Mayor David Wilks. “We commend the Friends of the Sparwood Dog Park volunteer group for all their hard work, extensive consultation, fundraising and continued dedication to this Park. We know this space will be well utilized in the community.”
It’s expected that construction will take six to eight weeks as the Off-Leash Dog Park will feature 600 metres of new trails and more than 400 metres of fencing. There will be three double access gates to gain entry, along with a maintenance gate.
A new trail is also being installed alongside the fenced Off-Leash Dog Park so that visitors who may not want to enter the park can still enjoy the green space.
“The Friends of the Sparwood Dog Park volunteer group would like to sincerely thank the District of Sparwood, Teck, Columbia Basin Trust, the Elk Valley Thrift Society, Husky, Sarah’s Dog Spaw and all of the community members that have supported us through this process,” said Lynn Edward, Chair of the Friends of the Sparwood Dog Park volunteer group. “We are very excited for construction to begin on the Dog Park and look forward to the years of enjoyment it will bring to our community.”
The Off-Leash Dog Park will be maintained by the District of Sparwood, as Park Maintenance will install waste bins, signage, and install dispenser bags while also cutting the grass and removing any snow from the entrance at the parking lot. However, all users will be expected to abide by the Park’s rules including being in control of their dogs and all times and immediately picking up after their pets.
While construction is underway, the District of Sparwood is asking the public to stay away from the area.
