Jackie Parker Pooch Patrol

Advocating for the Off Leash Area

Call To Action:

What we are doing...

  •  attempting to build relationships with major stakeholders (City of Edmonton, MCARFA, users)
  •  collecting stories from park users
  •  creating a petition to keep the use of the park
  •  collecting contact information in order to keep people informed of developments
  •  participating in stakeholder consultations starting in January 2010
  •  taking to users and getting suggestions regarding improvements to the park, and bringing suggestions forward
  •  organizing to create a permanent bulletin board
  •  publicizing the issues
  •  organizing clean up days and regular monitoring of the park

What you can do...

  •  send letters to the Mayor, Councillors and Community Leagues (see below)
  •  join our mailing list by sending us an email, and let others know about us
  •  email us if you want to get involved
  •  attend the public consultation meetings
  •  talk to fellow walkers about the problem
  •  know the Park rules, follow them and stay within the off-leash boundaries. Help educate others to these rules
  •  help keep the Park clean and encourage others to do so.


City Contact Information

Note that letters with full name and address will have more impact.

Dave Thiele, Ward 6 Councillor
dave.thiele@edmonton.ca

Amarjeet Sohi, Ward 6 Councillor
amarjeet.sohi@edmonton.ca

Mayor Stephen Mandel
via http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_organization/send-a-message-to-mayor-mandel.aspx

Councillors General Contact
780-496-8113 fax
780-496-8110 phone
Councillors@edmonton.ca

Other Councillors' contact information can be found at
http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_organization/city-councillors.aspx

Jay Rowe: Community Recreation Coordinator (email) - if you have questions about the consultation process or about the park


Community League Information

Contact your community League and express your concern! Information can be found at http://www.millwoods.org/

Community Leagues

Ideas: What do dog walkers contribute to the park?

Custodians of the park
  • Maintenance of the park
  • Maintenance of the trails
  • Unofficial spring clean-up
  • Trail maintenance
  • Reporting problems
  • Encouraging good dog behaviour for other users

Security (a visual presence to the neighbourhood)
  • Reporting stolen vehicles
  • Reporting wild life (coyotes, porcupines, etc.)
  • Reporting suspicious activity
  • Visual deterrent

Bringing commerce to the community
  • support local businesses directly (coffee shops, etc.)
  • hold events in the park (dog competitions, beagle day, etc)
  • Dog walkers are tax payers

Intangibles
  • Quality of life
  • Spiritual uplifting
  • Cultural enlightenment
  • Community spirit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why should I write a letter?

1. Community leagues have no process in place to gather information about members' views. Therefore it is important that you share your views with your community league yourself. Each community league has representation on Millwoods Presidents' Council, which is also involved with MCARFA (the organization that is helping develop JPRA)


2. JPRA is a District Level Park, meaning it is set up to serve mainly Millwoods. However, our postal code data indicates that this park is used extensively by users outside the catchment. Therefore, in addition to the Ward 6 councillors (Mr. Theill and Mr. Sohi) other councillors need to hear how important this issue is to the recreational opportunities of hundreds of people! If the debate becomes difficult to resolve and ultimately is decided by council, the councillors need to hear from every one of us.