Resident raises concerns about dog park

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Tillsonburg resident David Csepei called on council to address ongoing problems at the town’s dog park.

Appearing before council as a delegation at the Jan. 26 meeting, Csepei said the current dog park is too small. He often sees the big dog section so overcrowded that larger dog owners take their pets to the smaller dog side.

“There’s been some altercations, some verbiage gone back and forth,” he reported.

Csepei also said the park is poorly managed with little maintenance. He asked for a sign to be replaced at the park several months ago, and it hasn’t been. He also said the no-smoking rule isn’t enforced and alleged that there is mould in the park's mulch, which can cause health problems for dogs. He wanted to see it returned to a grass base instead of mulch.

“If you don’t want to maintain it, in all fairness, get rid of it,” he said.

Csepei suggested if there is going be an expansion, another location should be considered, mentioning the park off Charlotte Ave.

Coun. Chris Parker said he hears many complaints about the current park and asked Csepei, “What makes you think building another dog park would avoid those problems?”

Csepei said a new park would divide the problem in half, adding, “You can’t assume the new dog park will be as bad as the current one. The park on Charlotte is wide open, so maybe there will be less chance of someone making it a mess.”

Parker said he used to frequent the dog park, but was bitten there. He questioned whether Csepei had brought up the issues with staff, and was told the resident had continually called to have the grass cut and the dog waste bag replaced.

Parker informed him the best way to report issues was through the town app so it can be tracked.

Coun. Kelly Spencer said she has spoken to Csepei about the issue and sent an e-mail to the director on the topic.

Coun. Chris Rosehart heard stories of people going to the park with coffee and cigarettes, then letting their dogs run free.

Although Mayor Deb Gilvesy suggested that council could ask for a staff report on best practices in other communities as part of its motion, the presentation was accepted only as information.