Re: Oak Bay to consider new off-leash area (News Oct. 16).
We have just opened the Oak Bay News and were shocked at the headline.
So, someone wants to fence in our park on Oakdowne Road. We not only live on Oakdowne Road, but were born and went to school in Oak Bay. We came back after a 20 year absence and have resided on Oakdowne Road for 24 years. This is the first time we have heard of this plan that was submitted by the South Oak Bay Windsor Park Dog Group. We do not have a computer.
We own two corgis, one of which is a registered medical service dog. After being on duty 24 hours a day, he needs to have time off to run freely and safely within walking distance of our home.
Not only do we walk our dogs in the park but our adult children, grandchildren and great-grandchild also enjoy the park. Over the past years, the parks department have added a wooden bench and a lined garbage can. Both items are greatly appreciated, but a fence? Get real people. If this goes ahead there will no longer be families playing baseball, bocce ball or pick-up football. When a ball goes over the fence onto the road this becomes a safety issue.
In the aforementioned issue of the Oak Bay News there is a notice of a committee of the whole meeting on the last page in small type regarding the dog management report. As we cannot attend in-person, we want to say – leave our park alone.
And a big thank you to the parks department staff for all the time and effort they put into mowing the lawn, planting new trees as well as watering in the summer.
A job well done to each and everyone.
Aleda Bates and family
Oak Bay
