WHITE ROCK, B.C.—Oct. 1, 2019 — The City of White Rock is allowing dogs that are on a leash on White Rock’s promenade as part of a pilot project from Oct. 1 to March 31, 2020.
City Council approved a set of recommendations for the pilot project in September 2019. Council received input from the Dogs on the Promenade Task Force, formed to determine the approach used to assess the level of success of the trial. City Council will review the details of the pilot and determine next steps in spring 2020.
Facts about the Dogs on the Promenade Task Force
- City Council first approved the Dogs on the Promenade pilot project in February 2019.
- The city consulted with the community, hosting a public forum and requesting verbal and written submissions.
- Survey results presented to Council showed that nearly 76 per cent of 1,388 respondents were in favour of dogs on the promenade. Of those 1,388 respondents, 63 per cent own a dog.
- The city received more than 50 written or emailed correspondence from residents on the issue.
- In June 2019, City Council approved the formation of the Dogs on the Promenade Task Force. The task force was set up to:
- Establish a set of pre-conditions prior to the pilot project
- Establish a set of metrics to allow the task force to monitor and evaluate the project
- Use the metrics, when the pilot project finishes, to evaluate and make a recommendation to City Council regarding whether to make Dogs on the Promenade a yearly event between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Facts about dogs in White Rock
- Dogs in White Rock must be leashed and licenced
- Owners must pick up after their pets and dispose of the feces in garbage cans
- Disposal bags are available on the promenade
- Dogs should have up-to-date vaccines
- Dogs are allowed in Memorial Park year-round
- Dogs are not allowed on the White Rock Pier at any time
- Dogs can go off-leash in the off-leash dog park located in Ruth Johnson Park.
Links to helpful information
Quotes
White Rock Mayor Darryl Walker
“I want to offer my sincere thanks to Councillor Scott Kristjanson, Councillor Helen Fathers and the Dogs on the Promenade Task Force for all the hours spent exploring different viewpoints and discussing and planning the details of the pilot project.
In White Rock, we are a welcoming and inclusive community. I look forward to seeing the results of this pilot and encourage dog owners to follow the rules for dog ownership, pick up after your pets and be respectful of others who are using the promenade.”
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Media Contact:
Donna Kell, APR
Manager, Communications and Government Relations
City of White Rock
dkell@whiterockcity.ca
778-866-8514 (cell)
604-541-2138 (office)