The fences are up and dogs are already running around enjoying the opening of the Westview Park off-leash park.
It is the first of three that will open in the next few months as the city tries to make life easier for dog lovers and non-dog-lovers alike.
But it’s only open on a six-month trial period and if people nearby don’t like what’s happening, they can let the city know so it can review it.
Westview, on Wicklund Avenue and 209th Street, features an area fenced off in the centre of the park in order to reduce noise. Shorter opening hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., should also make life easier for the neighbours who live nearby because they won’t be disturbed during the early morning or late at night.
Geoff Mallory, city manager of parks and open space, said feedback from the neighbours was collected last summer, when a temporary off-leash area was set up for a week.
The parks and leisure services commission approved three new locations in January. Tolmie Park and Upper Maple Ridge Park are the other two slated for creation of off-leash areas.
The parks and leisure services commission developed a new process to establish off-leash areas. It involves consultation in each neighbourhood and trying out temporary sites to gauge the impacts and get input.
Temporary parks are then established to allow for a longer term monitoring of the impacts of the new facilities.
“This new process has allowed us to have more meaningful conversations with members of the community and ensure that these facilities enhance neighbourhoods and provide opportunities for neighbours and pets to interact in a positive way,” Mallory said.
• People who have comments can e-mail them to parksandleisure@mapleridge.ca.