Developments

As you may already know, major changes could be coming to Jackie Parker Recreation Area, including possible reductions in the size of the off-leash area. We are organizing to help ensure that these changes are ones that will enhance the park instead of reduce access for dog walkers.

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Our Recommendations

Overview of Concerns

From a variety of perspectives, JPRA is an eminently rational location for a dog off leash area; people feel safe, the parking lot is close to the use area, it is accessible by many, it is bordered but not threatened by a freeway, there is minimal abutment to other areas with conflict of uses, there is limited proximity to housing, and the scale of the park is suitable for off leash use.

The importance of the ravine to the positive recreation experience of park users cannot be overemphasized.

• It is a haven during bad weather, whether hot, cold, windy or rainy.

• It is an interesting and inspiring physical environment for people and dogs.

• The problems with the use of the ravine trail are limited to two small sections on the trail; these can be dealt with using “leash up areas” and the balance of the ravine can remain off-leash.
  

The Master Plan was developed in 1992, and the current community of users may or may not have been part of the needs assessment of the original planning process; the demographics of the area and the catchment of the park have changed and thus the needs of 1992 cannot be used to mandate the use today.  We were told that the Master Plan would be re-examined, and in fact this has not happened.

• Let’s re-examine the whole plan with a fresh view to determine whether it truly meets the needs of the stakeholder community.

• Stakeholders will benefit from a Master plan that is more forward looking, rather than one entrenched in a historical perspective that may no longer be relevant.

People use the dog off-leash area as part of their recreational activity in the park; and dogs are simply part of the experience, the same as having a picnic at the park is part of the experience or tossing a Frisbee.

• The dog off-leash area of the park attracts extensive day-long and year-round use; and thus the scale of the use is significant in contributing to individual and community health.

• Postal code data collected by the Jackie Parker Pooch Patrol of 675+ users demonstrates representation by Edmontonians from all parts of the City.

• People using the park come from diverse population demographics; including gender, age, ethnicity, mobility, family structure, and socio-economic status.

We believe that mixed use on the south (passive) side of the park with dogs and other recreation activities is more than possible, it is ideal;

The safety of the road is the primary concern to community members of JPRAAC (both dog walkers and non dog walkers), not dogs. This is because alcohol is served at the Millwoods Golf Course, and the parking lot/spray park are situated so close to the road.  If an additional day use area with picnic tables etc. is constructed on the south side of the road near the spray park, there is more danger for pedestrians crossing the road.  It is better to keep picnicking activities to the north side of the road and create an appropriate heavy buffer between the north and south sides, with the road acting as a natural barrier.

Another big concern is foot access into the active side of the park for the surrounding communities. This can be accomplished with a sidewalk along 50^th street (Transportation Department) as well as a path along the north side of the golf course road. Community members of JPRAAC did not express the desire to have more passive use areas within the current off leash area (south side).

The conflict along the ravine is one of the primary concerns expressed by Woodvale Community League. Signage at critical junctions and possible re-routing of the trail can mitigate this.

The impact of heavy park use within the south half of the park on the landscape is evident.  Any reduction the space available for off-leash will only make this worse. Instead, we propose routing the granular trail in a circle so that people will be encouraged to walk rather than congregate in the centre of the park.

Members of JPRAAC expressed the distinct lack of bylaw presence at the park, and not having seen bylaw officers in many collective years of using the park.  This is of great concern, especially since the use of the park will increase with the addition of the spray park.  Complaints of homeowners along ravine is a bylaw enforcement issue, and not a reason to restrict the ravine trail for all dog walkers, who need to use the ravine as a shelter from extreme weather.

Many members of JPRAAC feel that the area south of the road can remain a multi-use area that includes dogs. This is in stark contrast with the vision put forth by the Parks Department, and was not allowed to be considered at JPRAAC meeting #3.  The majority of JPRAAC members were very surprised and dismayed by this suggestion, and profoundly disagree.

Specific Solutions

• Parking: Expand parking lot on north and south side lots.  Angle parking is preferred.  Restrict off leash area parking on the south side lot by putting up a sign at the north lot "no off leash area parking". Do NOT construct a parking lot across the road from the spray park.

• Amenities: lighting along trail, blue phone at parking lot, water source, more benches, bulletin board(s), Mighty Mutts area specific for small dogs (could use future ice rink), dog playground/agility area. Dog users to help fundraise for these amenities.

• Boundary: the boundary should begin just past the bench where the ravine trail comes out, and curve toward the edge of the berm, then along the top of berm.  Fortify the berm by adding to its length and having a thick planting, perhaps also boulders, to create a substantial buffer.  Place a fence here for the first few years, to help delineate boundary and help vegetation, and to help increase safety. The granular trail should continue from just past the bench, curving around along the inside of the pre-existing berm so that it is natural for users to walk in a circle back to the parking lot.

• Pedestrian Access: It is essential that a sidewalk be built along 50th street to allow users into the park on foot without crossing off leash area if they choose.

• Picnic Areas:  NO picnic tables on south side of road. Keep these on the north side and allow the road to be a natural boundary. A picnic area on south of road is hazardous for users crossing road to spray park, and increases conflict between users because it attracts dogs.

• Ravine: on a trial basis, use appropriate signage such as "leash up zone" or "use respect”.  Language to indicate to people if they cannot control dog it is time to put dog on a leash. Do the same in the critical places along the golf course section where dogs tend to emerge onto golf course. Hedges could also be planted in these places. If these conservative measures do not work, consider re-routing the trail away from the houses onto the opposite side of the creek, and closing off the north trail proximal to the golf course.