Councillor Walters vs Dave Reedman - WL Dog Park

In a highly unusual move - Dave Reedman, a member of the local Central Cariboo Recreation Advisory Committee has chosen to speak out publicly over the rapid development of a dog park, in stark contrast to public priorities laid out in both the 2011 Central Cariboo Recreation Survey and the adopted Parks, Trails and Outdoor Recreation Master Plan

Disclosure Note - I am a former member of the Central Cariboo Recreation Advisory Committee

Read last week's Williams Lake Tribune article on this subject here

Williams Lake City Councillor Laurie Walters, in the article, fiercely defends the dog park, as good for the City however makes some 'eyebrow-raising' comments...

1) "Not necessarily things deemed a priority take the priority” - While what Walters says is true in the political world, there is a danger that the public will not participate in future forums that speak to recreation or community development priorities, especially if politicians will act contrary to the priorities laid out in a plan.  If the local Parks/Trails plan priorities can be ignored, what about the new OCP/ICSP.  As they say -- what's good for the goose is good for the gander...

2) That advisory committee (CCRAC) has really been a difficult committee, similar to the other committees at the City (of Williams Lake) - Not sure why Walters had to say negative things about the local Recreation Committee or her colleagues speaking negatively about the recently dissolved Advisory Planning Commission.  What's next -- the Accessibility Committee??

3) The dog park was driven by a community committee - This statement I have to challenge, the dog park was approved by way of a Staff report, it wasn't never, to the best of my knowledge, triggered by a local committee, in contrast to recently approved Community Gardens which were approved by Council after it received a delegation to move forward on Community Gardens'

4) If that location is not a good location or doesn’t work out, it’s not that difficult to move on to an another location, Walters states  - if this occurs, what is the financial implication to moving the dog park to a new location that may not have fencing and other recreational infrastructure to support a dog park.  I am certain those opposed to a dog park in Williams Lake would like to know those details, especially those on Woodland Drive trying hard to get basic municipal services like water/sewer

Final Analysis:

I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Reedman with his assessments over the dog park in Boitanio Park.  Meanwhile - a dog park supporter authored a letter to the editor in yesterday's Tribune questioning the statements of Mr. Reedman.  Meanwhile - with fierce opposition on Facebook to the currently established dog park... I wonder if that opposition were to grow if a second dog park were to be established in Williams Lake.

While I think the discussion of a dog park in Williams Lake is a great thing - I think the process and final product was/is lacking and could come home to haunt dog park supporters, including Councillor Walters.  If the dog park committee partnered with the City prior to building the dog park with appropriate signage, community infrastructure and advertising - the whole project would have received much more widespread public support then we see of late