Tantramar staff will not be looking into the possibility of allowing dogs off leash in the Dorchester ball park during winter months.
Councillor Debbie Wiggins-Colwell put forward a motion on Tuesday night asking for a staff report on the idea, but five councillors and the mayor voted down the proposal.
A number of councillors including Deputy Mayor Matt Estabrooks raised concerns about dog feces being left on the field where children would later be playing. “I realize that the scope was maybe off season, but off season can get blurred a little bit,” said Estabrooks, who has been involved with minor baseball.
“Kids on ball fields, we start them as young as four years old now,” said Estabrooks, “and 40 at a time on the field. It’s different than the way ball fields used to be used, with kids rolling around on them.” The councillor also cited potential safety issues with the possibility of holes being dug on fields.
“I’ve done some research and I feel I can’t support it,” said Estabrooks.
Councillor Bruce Phinney voted in favour of Wiggins-Colwell’s motion, asking about examples of other municipalities that have put it in practice. Wiggins-Colwell cited Halifax as an example. The city has a long list of sports field and ball diamonds where dogs are permitted in winter months, and also some where dogs are allowed year round at specific hours.
“Let’s see what the staff brings back,” said Phinney, “and then we can turn around and make an informed decision.”
But councillors were not convinced and the request for a staff report did not pass. After the meeting, Wiggins-Colwell said she was disheartened, but accepted the decision from her colleagues. “I think the research is out there,” said Wiggins-Colwell. “Maybe if a little more research was done on it and brought back to council… But that wasn’t the consensus of council, so I have to go with that.”
Possible dog park coming for Sackville?
Tuesday’s decision doesn’t mean there are no dog parks in Tantramar’s future.
After a presentation from area resident and dog owner Carla VanBeselaere last year, the municipality included a possible dog park on its list of capital projects budgeted for in the 2025 capital budget.
$35,000 was earmarked to create a standalone, fenced-in dog park in Sackville, with the proposed location on the grounds of the BMX bike park on Dufferin Street. Though it was listed in the proposed capital budget, the project would need to be approved by council before proceeding.
If the past experience of the former town of Sackville is any indication, $35,000 might not be enough to make the project happen. Back in 2020, a proposed dog park to be located in Beech Hill Park was estimated to cost the town $80,000, and was voted down by the former council due to the expense.
