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South Okanagan Photos

Dog owners make their arguments at Parks Meeting

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Oliver Parks and Recreation Society – Board Meeting February 17th

Three main issues dealt with by Directors

1. About 18 people attended a public meeting that preceded the regular meeting Monday. Most if not all argued in favour of retaining the present Town of Oliver Animal Control Bylaw 1224 that allows off leash dogs in the community park dawn to 9am each day.

The Society had asked Town Councillors to change the bylaw but Council asked the Parks directors to meet with the public first.  After hearing the audience, directors decided on the following:

a. Manager to work with Town on bylaw enforcement issues including the possibility of  a Park-only Bylaw Officer.

b.  Manager to form a dog owners committee to communicate to all users in the park.

c.  Manager to erect better and more signage of current law and enforcement activity and ensure more dog bag stations.

d. Ask the Town to file previous request from OPRS for one year – hoping that issues highlighted previously (amount of feces in park, dog chasing walkers & runners) will be reduced by this policy direction.

Society Chair Sheila Lang told the audience – the society was working towards making the park more inclusive for all and to promote healthy outdoor activity for people. Dog owners agreed there are a number of issues that must be fixed and stated their willingness to help solve the problems.

2. Okanagan Portuguese Club – request for a reduction in annual lease of $1600

a. Manager to work with Town of Oliver in transferring current lease into the name of the Parks Society

b. Manager to work with the Okanagan Portuguese Club and bring back suggested wording that anticipates some support to the Club and possible changes that would be beneficial to the public and the Parks Society.

3. Grant in Aid request – Desert Valley Hospice Society

The Society requested the use of Lions Park for the Annual Fundraising Walk Sunday May 4th. The cost is $94.78. Permission granted for 2014, only. This is the 5th year of such a request and a letter will be written to the Hospice Society in regards to future years.