Dog parks are hard to find in Marpole. This one is Dunbar¹s Valdez Park, where 13-year-old Ceilidh waits for a ball to chase.
Photograph by: Dan Toulgoet , Vancouver Courier
Marpole mutts
Some Marpole dog owners are holding a meeting Sunday to see if there’s any interest in forming a dog owners association in the community.
One of the organizers told me the idea for the association came out of the frustration Marpole dog owners are feeling about the lack of off-leash parks in their community.
“We have been warned off every park and playground in Marpole,” said Marjoke Apking. “We don’t mind animal control giving out fines when they’re deserved, but if we have no where else to go, what are we supposed to do?”
Apking says the closest off-leash area is South Fraser Park, a 45-minute walk in heavy traffic with her young German shepherd “Stella.” A search of the park board’s off-leash webpage confirms it is the only dog park in Marpole. “And when you get there the washrooms are closed and there are no drinking fountains,” said Apking.
In anticipation of Sunday’s meeting the organizers have created a mandate, which includes a promise to speak on behalf of Marpole dog owners at park board and city council meetings to encourage the creation and development of new off-leash parks in the community. As well, the association will present petitions to the park board on the members’ behalf as a way to encourage the park board to increase the number of off-leash parks in Marpole and promote education to both dog owners and residents who don’t own dogs.
The meeting takes place Sunday Nov. 25 at the Verna Co-op Community House, 575 Southwest Marine Dr., from 2 to 4 p.m.
Inspired passes
The park board’s Vancouver Inspiration Pass program has been in place for a couple of months so it’s running smoothly just in time for the holidays and school break.
The pass allows individuals, families and teens, 14 or older, to explore many of the city’s recreation and cultural attractions for free. The passes, which can be borrowed at any Vancouver Public Library location, are good for two weeks.
There are 120 passes available for loan — 20 through the Central Library downtown and five at each VPL branch across the city.
The park board says response to the pass has been tremendous, so there is a chance you’ll have to wait, but the program is worth checking out. Comments and suggestions about the program can be shared at info@vpl.ca.
Bike stations
Parks staff is recommending the Public Bike Share network suggest parks where bike stations can be located, which would then be approved by the park board’s general manager.
A report going to the park board’s committee meeting Nov. 26, details the proposed implementation strategy for the Public Bike Share system in the city, which is intended to provide people with an easy, convenient and sustainable transportation option. For a look at the complete report, visit vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture and link to the Nov. 26 agenda.
Twitter: @sthomas10
