The Lake Country Dog Owner’s Association is hoping plans for a new public space alongside the old Highway 97 will eventually include an off leash dog park with access to Wood Lake.
As conceptual plans and public meetings move along for the new Pelmewash Parkway, the dog owners association took their needs directly to District of Lake Country council at the DLC’s last public meeting.
“We just wanted to come and make sure we are being heard about our wishes for the dog owners in this area to get some lake front access on the new design of the Pelmewash Parkway,” said Steve Chung, a member of the board of directors for the Lake Country Dog Owners Association. “We love the idea of the whole family-type of things with cycling, walking and everything around there. Pets are a big part of the family for a lot of people out here.”
According to the dog owner’s association, there is virtually no access to water for dogs with the current dog part allotment in Lake Country and only a small place located on Woodsdale Rd. is available right now, but it’s less than ideal as it is not very accessible for more than a few people.
“Water access for dogs is definitely something that we desire,” said Mark Jost, also a board member for the dog owners. “There are a significant number of pets and pet owners that currently use the little dog area off Woodsdale Road but we’d like to reiterate that the Pelmewash proposal include a dog friendly area with access to water.”
The dog owners group will formally put together a letter with its wishes for the Pelmewash Parkway and send it to mayor and council as plans move along for the corridor, which will replace the old Highway 97, once the new highway opens expected sometime this year.
A Pelemwash Parkway design open house was held May 13 in Lake Country where members of the public were invited to provide ideas and input on the future of Pelmewash Parkway.
Discussion was held on ideas for the parkway with the public bringing forth different thoughts including planned hiking, biking or walking trails for the area, the actual road that may or may not be closed off, the use of day use areas and pullouts that currently exist, public art, boats and boat launches as well as other issues such as possible transit to the area as well as the actual name of the parkway.
There are no further dates set for public consultation but according to the district of Lake Country, the next open house, expected sometime in June or July, will present two options for the future of Pelmewash. A meeting could be delayed until the actual opening of the new highway.
If you were unable to attend earlier sessions but would like to comment on the report, sketches or process, please email your comments to the Karen Miller, DLC communications officer at kmiller@lakecountry.bc.ca.
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