It’s been a popular dog park in South Burnaby for years, and likely to the disappointment of one resident who lives nearby, it’s not going anywhere.
In a letter to the city’s parks and recreation committee, Burnaby resident Marjorie Artis asked the city to consider moving the David Grey dog park to Central Park.
Artis lives in the Fairhaven seniors’ apartments on Rumble Street and, for many years, she’s been kept awake by barking dogs in the park.
In a second letter to the commission, which was an agenda item for the parks commission’s meeting last week and written for the NOW, Artis explained during the summer months, dogs often begin barking in the park as early as 6 a.m. and as late as midnight, “leaving few hours of peace and quiet for the seniors.”
She also said she’s been dealing with the issue for eight years, making numerous complaints to city hall and Burnaby RCMP. Artis even suggested the dog park could be turned into a rabbit park.
But city officials aren’t likely to take up the suggestion anytime soon.
Dave Ellenwood, the director of parks, recreation and cultural services, said the commission is aware of Artis’ concerns, but noted the dog park was supported by residents during public consultation when it was first proposed years ago. He also noted Artis has been in front of the commission before with the same complaint and did not take part in the consultation process with the park.
“Obviously, the dog park serves the community and dog owners in the community quite well,” he told the NOW. “While we have sympathy for people who don’t enjoy dogs, it does serve the community who do.”
Ellenwood said the park is also a place for people who don’t have backyards to take their dogs.
He acknowledged the city gets complaints about all of the dog parks in Burnaby for various reasons, but added the majority of the feedback from residents is positive.
“People like dogs. There’s a lot of people who have dogs, so they appreciate a place to take them,” he said.
The city did say it would, however, appreciate if users of the dog park tried to keep their pet’s barking to a minimum, especially in the morning.
