Rockyford residents explore the possibility of a dog park

Times Contributor 

 

The Strathmore off-leash dog park is a great place for dog owners to go and let their dogs exercise, meet people and have a good time.  It has been successful and has some Rockyford residents hoping to get a dog park of their own.

Charlotte Bencharski, a new face in the Rockyford community, said that although she “[loves] the village and the people” the town could be improved with a dog park.

“I didn’t think before I moved someplace that I would have to investigate the fact that I want to walk my dogs,” she says.

Bencharski says that dog parks provide a great social environment for both the dogs and the people, and she thinks it will “help get people out and meeting each other.” She also points out that if your dogs are able to get more exercise during the day, there will be less barking at night.

“There are a lot of dogs in Rockyford so we have a lot of barking at two or three in the morning,” said Bencharski.

In terms of size, Bencharski says that the Strathmore dog park (which is four acres) is a great model for the dog park she wants, but is perhaps a little big.

While Bencharski hasn’t spent too much time looking at land for the dog park, there are a few possibilities, such as the land that CN Rail has where the trains have stopped coming through, or extra land from farmers. Bencharski has contacted a few people about possibly renting or buying space, and has raised some interest.

Funding for this project is estimated to be quite low, since Bencharski plans to purchase the chain-link fencing needed herself. Other necessities such as park benches, garbage bins and signs can be bought from fundraiser money or donated, since they are fairly inexpensive.

“I do have a lot of people who are willing to donate,” she said. 

Bencharski also plans to build the dog park herself once she has all the equipment at no cost to the village.

“I think that’s going to help because when we went to the council meeting, that was the first thing they were little a leery about was money.”

Along with going to council meetings, Bencharski has posted flyers in both Rockyford and Strathmore and admits “I don’t know what else to do.”

“I think people are worried about, what if my dog bites your dog, what if my dog bites your kid,” she explains, which has been the source of some controversy for the Strathmore dog park as well. While Bencharski admits she’s not completely informed on how those laws work, she has time to figure it out and believes “it’s a very manageable issue.”

“You don’t see a lot of it in the papers about people suing each other [over dog park accidents],” said Bencharski.

“Honestly, I kind of do feel like I’m fighting against nothing here.”

Bencharki thinks most people don’t understand why Rockyford needs a dog park, and she believes that if she can inform them, their opinions will change.

Bencharski currently has about six to eight people who are on board with the project and trying to figure out how to make a dog park in Rockyford a reality.

“Dog owners are very happy people. We love our animals like we love our family.”

If you have any questions or comments about the dog park, or would like to donate, please contact Charlotte Bencharski through e-mail at charlottebencharski@yahoo.ca.