A temporary dog park at Peach Orchard Beach in Summerland has now become permanent.

Municipal council made the decision at the June 11 meeting.

The park had been set up as a temporary facility in May 2023 and since that time, has been a divisive issue within the community, with strongly held opinions both for and against the facility in the location.

Speaking to council, Robert Hacking of the Summerland Dog Owners91裸聊视频� Association said the fenced dog park has been a benefit to the community.

He said there are now fewer geese at Peach Orchard Beach than before the dog park was set up, and that the noise from dogs in the fenced area is less loud than the other sounds from the street and from other parts of the waterfront park.

A petition organized by the Summerland Dog Owners Association now has 1,146 signatures in support of this location, he said.

91裸聊视频淭he park brings our community together, and that is a very good thing,91裸聊视频� Hacking said.

Peter Waterman said the present location is the best option for an off-leash dog park in Summerland. He explained that because of drainage issues on that portion of Peach Orchard Beach, the land is unlikely to be selected for other uses.

However, some who live near the dog park believe the location is not appropriate.

91裸聊视频淭he noise from the park should not be tolerated any longer,91裸聊视频� said Lisa Slizek. 91裸聊视频淭here are other areas where dog owners can go.91裸聊视频� Mike Kosmack also said there are better locations for a dog park in the community. 

Mayor Doug Holmes presented a motion to have municipal staff explore alternative locations for a temporary pop-up fenced dog park.

He said council had searched for a suitable dog park location for at least five years before the Peach Orchard Beach location was selected.

However, since that time, the dog park area has been the source of considerable controversy within the community.

91裸聊视频淧ublic feedback on the Peach Orchard Beach Park location was mixed 91裸聊视频� both strongly in favour and strongly opposed,91裸聊视频� Holmes said.

In September 2023, Summerland council voted against installing permanent fencing at that location and instead considered a different location in the community.

The proposed location, at St. John91裸聊视频檚 Lutheran Church, was declined by the congregation.

91裸聊视频淚n the meantime, temporary fencing has remained in place at Peach Orchard Beach and council continues to receive correspondence both in favour and against,91裸聊视频� Holmes said.

He said other locations have been brought forward. These include a piece of municipal land at the corner of Canyon View Road and Paradise Road. Council is also interested in examining unused land within the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Other members of council disagreed with searching for a different location.

91裸聊视频淚t would be a flagrant waste of our citizens91裸聊视频� tax dollars,91裸聊视频� said Coun. Doug Patan. He added that the municipality has already spent $60,000 on consultants for the dog park. 

If a different location is later proposed for a dog park, it would be easy to relocate the facility, he said. 

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e not talking structures; we91裸聊视频檙e talking posts,91裸聊视频� he said.

Coun. Richard Barkwill said the waterfront area is getting more use now than in the past as a result of the dog park. 

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 convinced there is no better place for a dog park,91裸聊视频� he said.

Coun. Marty Van Alphen said the present location is good for a dog park.

91裸聊视频淚 think it is workable and I think we need to put this one to rest,91裸聊视频� he said.

Coun. Adrienne Betts said she was disappointed with what she described as an issue that has become unnecessarily divisive. She said the park, in its present location, is safe and well-lit.

The temporary facility will become a permanent off-leash dog park, while the area of Peach Orchard Beach Park outside the fenced area will be an on-leash park year-round.