The northern side of Langley City could soon have a place to play fetch with Fido or dig in the dirt for fruits and vegetables.
An open house on an off-leash dog park and community garden was Sept. 18.
“That’s part of the reason for this [open house], to see that there is a demand,†said Rick Bomhoff, the City’s director of engineering.
City staff are suggesting Dumais Park, Michaud Park, Linwood Park, or Douglas Park.
Only Linwood has the space for both a dog park and a community garden.
The other sites would be one or the other. Dumais does not have any space for parking but Linwood, Michaud, and Douglas all have parking at the park or on the street.
This area of the City is becoming more densified so the council directed staff to look at amending parks for other users.
“It’s multifamily,†explained Kara Jefford, the City manager of engineering services. “They don’t have yards.â€
Based on the popularity of the Nicomekl Community Garden, by the elementary school, the City has decided to add spaces. It was started around 2004 and its 16 plots are always snapped up with a waiting list.
The City does maintenance and supplies the bulk materials. For the new community gardens, the goal is to have users or a group have more control.
The City has a dog park in Brookswood. Jefford said residents in other areas may not want to drive there and some seniors with dogs can’t. City bylaw enforcement finds people letting dogs off leash in other parks where it’s not allowed.
The results from the open house and any other public submissions will be reported to council for a decision.
The material from the open house, such as maps of the four parks, are available through the City website. The public survey is posted. People have to early October to complete it to voice an opinion.