A seasonal dog park may be unleashed in Orillia this coming winter.
At Monday’s council meeting, Coun. Jay Fallis proposed a new dog park for the ball diamond at the Franklin Carmichael Park through the winter months, outside the baseball season.
“Prior to 2020, the baseball diamond had been informally used as a dog park at Carmichael Park, and in the past couple of years, due to a change in policy, the ball diamond’s been locked in the winter and just used for baseball in the summer,” Fallis said.
“In kind of talking with some different constituents and … talking to staff, as well, one of the possible solutions that came up was making it so that we erected a temporary fence, just on the diamond itself, and permit its use during the winter so it really doesn't impact any user groups.”
Should the idea be approved, Fallis said he – and others – would be fine to help out with spring cleanup before the baseball season begins.
“I know others on council might be interested, as well, and I've heard from several constituents who have said they're committed … that would be willing to actually clean up any ‘remnants’ left over the course of the winter,” Fallis said.
Council supported Fallis’s motion, and city staff, in consultation with applicable baseball groups, will report back at a later date with options.
