The Vancouver Park Board is asking dog owners to take part in survey for improvements ahead of Coopers' Park renewal.
Vancouver dog owners are being given the chance to help shape the future of a local off-leash dog area this Spring. The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is planning a full renewal of the existing dog off-leash area in Coopers' Park, and is asking local dog owners, and residents, to share what features are most important to them.
Dog owners can take part in an online survey from March 19 - April 6, 2021 and give their feedback to help the Park Board achieve its goal in creating a safe and engaging park space for people, with or without dogs.
The scenic off-leash dog park, located east of the Cambie Street Bridge alongside the Seawall, is a popular choice with Downtown dog parents due to it's handy location, beautiful views and spacious grassy area, perfect for playful pups. In addition to the proposed improvements to the existing off-leash area, following design guidelines from the People, Parks and Dogs Strategy, the fitness area and playground at Coopers' Park will also be upgraded, as well as adding a new washroom, drinking fountain and safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.
Future Plans
The People, Parks & Dogs strategy provides a framework for the next 10 years and beyond, to deliver well-planned and designed parks that accommodate park users with and without dogs and minimize conflict.
According to the strategy, field studies show that most of the time, people without dogs outnumbered people with dogs at most off-leash areas in Vancouver, and that 74% of Vancouver residents surveyed report having mostly positive or neutral interactions with off-leash dogs in parks. The strategy also revealed some of the things currently working well in Vancouver's off-leash areas, These include building communities, clear boundaries, providing fenced options and grass surfacing in larger, less-intensively used areas, while challenges include managing dog waste, off-leash activity in on-leash areas, and managing noise. To have your say, be sure to take part in the survey, which will run until April 6, 2021 and is available here.