Council will use part of its final general meeting to vote on a new parks bylaw, including rules for dog owners using city trails. Details were presented to public services committee members Monday during an open meeting.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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During their final planned general meeting of the term in October, councillors are expected to vote on a new parks bylaw, updated to reflect key community values and provide clarity around what is and is not allowed in city parks.
Scott Richter, recreation manager, parks and recreation department, provided committee members a presentation on the new parks bylaw during an open meeting Monday.
The city is looking to replace its current bylaw that was nearly 40 years old, which passed in 1987 and received minor revisions in the 1990s and 2000s.
The city identified the need for a bylaw overhaul through data and feedback gathered from the 2022 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
“There were some recommendations to basically adjust in four key areas,” explained Richter.
Those areas include the protection of park spaces as a valuable public asset, safety of users in city parks and along trails, stewardship of the national environment and the improvement of outdated or limited enforcement capacities.
According to staff, the new bylaw satisfies community feedback and aligning with other communities of similar and larger sizes.
“Parks and open spaces are a cherished asset that the city needs to protect, and enforcement is necessary to ensure public safety as well as protection of parks and wildlife,” said Richter.
The new bylaw will provide clear and actionable enforcement and clear penalties and fines tied to offences, with the allowance of progression of compliance from awareness to fines.
Richter explains this set framework will provide the community a clear set of rules that park visitors are asked to follow and are established to discipline continuous offenders.
“It’s not to be punitive, it’s really trying to educate the community, as well as create awareness for the community,” said Richter. “And then have the fine specifically for those that are uncooperative ongoing users of parks and trails.”
The bylaw will also receive additions to safe behaviour expected in parks that will include requiring parents to supervise children around swim lakes, and require life jacket use on authorized boating waterbodies.
A section will state all appropriate fire locations, fuel sources and restrictions, and will also address the growing number of camping and encampment activities within the city.
To ensure future generations will be able to enjoy city parks, the bylaw also updates stewardship for long-term enjoyment.
“Loud and clear, we hear people are looking for clarity on what is permitted and where and how they can do things,” adds Richter.
This will include the protection of natural areas caused by humans, such as environmental reserves, archeological sites and environmentally sensitive areas. The bylaw will also be updated to ensure natural areas and water bodies are preserved.
New updates are included to deal with evolving trends in technology, including e-bikes, e-scooters and other wheeled vehicles that are being common on city trails.
The bylaw recommends enforcing reasonable speeds versus setting a speed limit, as this compared with other municipalities.
“We did talk about the speed limit quite a bit in a lot of our engagements and found out that it’s fairly restrictive,” said Richter. “Because if you post a speed limit, you have to enforce it.”
Richter told Coun. Robert Dumanowski that generally speaking, 20 km/h is accepted.
“However, through people’s own experiences at 20 km/h, when passing and you don’t know they’re passing, it’s still really fast. So we’re trying to educate … and if it warrants it, depending on the spaces, we may post speed limits or enforce it differently, or put up different types of signs so people are aware that this is a high congested area.”
The bylaw would also provide safety requirements like lights and audible warning devices for passing pedestrians.
The use of drones would be restricted in city parks under the new bylaw. This is in alignment with other provincial and federal park laws, according to Richter.
He told committee members that although the new bylaw includes several rules, it also highlights numerous activities allowed in city parks, like the ability to harvest edible plants.
“This was brought up by a few people a number of times through engagement,” said Richter. “As long as it’s for personal, non-commercial use, sage is included in that.”
Richter also said local users are also able to obtain permits through special request to host a variety of events in city parks.
Coun. Cassi Hinder inquired about fines included for dog owners who do not clean up after their pets. The update also align the parks bylaw with other city bylaws, including Urban Wildlife Management and Responsible Animal Ownership bylaws.
Of note, owners of dogs walking without leases in non-designated areas, is a violation under the Responsible Animal Ownership bylaw.
Council will vote on the changes Oct. 6.
