General News

Hillcrest Dog Park still presents problems for nearby residents

March 22, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Residents who live close to the Hillcrest dog park at Cowen Ave. and Park Street in Alliston, have again approached Town Council regarding problems at the park.

The park was unpopular with many residents who live on the surrounding streets who said it was too large and not suitable for a residential area.

After going to the park to see for themselves, councillors made the decision to reduce the size of the park. That was in October 2022.

The Town polled residents of the area. The poll indicated that 60 per cent of the 457 residents that responded said they did own a dog, and of that group, 58 per cent said they wanted a dog park in that location.

However, during the March 11 New Tecumseth Council meeting, some residents expressed concerns that the park was still causing problems with barking dogs and inappropriate behaviour by some visitors.

A spokesperson for the neighbourhood said some people bring their dogs to the park and leave them unsupervised. He also said neighbourhood residents have received physical and verbal abuse from dog park visitors as well as hate mail. This included one person who would go to the park after hours and verbally abuse and threaten neighbours. This finally resulted, the spokesperson said, in police being called and the man being arrested.

The spokesperson said in addition to dogs barking and people yelling, there has been police activity. He also admitted he expected to receive opposition from some nearby people who like the dog park.

A spokesperson for the Town reported that over the last ‘few years’ there have been 54 barking dog complaints, 98 parking patrols with two parking tickets issued, and three police occurrences at the park.

Councillor Chris Rapin said Council is aware of the number of complaints recorded about the park.

A report from Town of New Tecumseth staff to Council suggested that the operation time of the park be reduced.

Councillor Rapin said he had the opportunity to talk to several groups about the dog park over the last few months.

“I’ve talked to dog park users, local residents, park staff, bylaw, the OPP canine control council members, and of course other residents,” Councillor Rapin said. “The overwhelming response is that a dog park is needed, and relocating is not fiscally responsible.”

He said the two main concerns are safety and the fact that no one is listening to complaints.

Council acknowledged that this a difficult issue as many people like the dog park, and there was no way to tell, prior to it being created, that it would cause such division in the community.

Councillor Rapin suggested the operation hours of the park be 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and made a motion restricting entry to the park in the off hours.

The motion was passed.

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