Please Support a Community Dog Park In creating a dog park, we hope to accomplish multiple goals:
1. To establish a fenced in, off-leash dog park where well-behaved canine can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property, or wildlife.

2. To develop a beautiful, well-maintained space, open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park's rules and restrictions.

3. To view this park as a community project, in partnership with the City of Courtenay, designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike.

Unfortunately, no off-leash dog parks currently exist in the vicinity of our community. Just as other taxpayers enjoy convenient public swimming pools, jogging trails, golf courses, and playgrounds, dog owners need a place to exercise and enjoy their pets in an off-leash environment. Further, such a park will benefit the greater community in the following ways.
1) Most dogs require exercise that leash restrictions do not permit. Dogs are social animals whose mental health is improved by interacting with other dogs. Happy, healthy dogs are calmer and better behaved, potentially reducing the amount of dogs being surrendered to the SPCA.
 2) The park would increase general park utilization and build stronger bonds within the community.
3) The park will provide revenue for the city through licensing, which will also assist in assuring that community dogs are up to date with their vaccines.
4) Dog park patrons tend to be people who appreciate the park and take an "ownership interest" in it. Park patrons want to ensure a clean park for all the dogs attending. Feces pick-up and disposal is an integral part of retaining a clean park. Owners watch for and pick up their animal feces and can gently remind other owners to do the same.
5) Once the off-leash park is constructed, a core group of community activists including the creators of this petition do commit ourselves to its continued maintenance.

Again, we would appreciate your consideration in constructing an enclosed off-leash dog park in our community.

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