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433 Sandwich St S., Amherstburg
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Dog park possible for Ranta Park?
The Town of Amherstburg’s parks and recreation committee recently saw a concept plan for a possible dog park at Ranta Park, as well as fishing platforms, a kayak/canoe launch, wildlife habitat areas and more. Director of parks, facilities, recreation and culture Phil Roberts helped create the plan but emphasized it is merely a concept at this point as it still has to be vetted at the administrative level, come to council and also to the public if the plans ever were to become a reality. Submitted image By Ron Giofu Will Ranta Park soon be going to the dogs? While things are far from being finalized, the town’s parks and recreation committee has viewed a potential plan from the park that includes a dog park – including dog runs and areas for small and large dogs – and such other facets as a launching site for canoes and kayaks as well as fishing platforms for adults and children. Also part of the proposal were wetland restoration areas and turtle and fish “habitat cells.” The parks and recreation committee saw the concept at its recent meeting and Councillor Don McArthur shared it via his website and on social media looking
for feedback. He is supportive of the idea, though the plans are not etched in stone and still have to go to the community and the entire council. “It would really allow the town to check off a lot of boxes,” said McArthur, of the proposal. Noting all of the amenities the concept plan has, McArthur noted the dog park has been something that residents have been wanting for a while. “We’ve been talking about it for a while,” he said. McArthur noted that the committee tasked administration to create plans for area parks and was presented this concept for Ranta Park. “It’s just a cool place,” McArthur believed. “It makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons.”
Knowing there will be concerns and criticism for potentially putting a dog park at a more rural park, McArthur said it was explained to the committee by administration that a dog park in a more urban park is not ideal due to noise from dogs barking becoming a nuisance for nearby residents. There was money left in a bequest for the purpose of using it for Ranta Park, said McArthur. That could help pay for all or some of the work that might be done at the park, though he noted it would still need to come to council for consideration and inclusion in a future budget process.
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