Winnipeg, MB – Urban pooches and their owners have paws for celebration today as the City of Winnipeg officially opened the new Downtown off-leash dog park.
“It’s great to finally open Winnipeg’s first Downtown dog park,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “Over the last five years, two thousand more people have chosen to make Downtown Winnipeg their home, and it is great to provide amenities Downtown that have traditionally only been found in other neighbourhoods across Winnipeg.”
The fully-fenced, 0.12 hectare off-leash area located within Bonnycastle Park on Assiniboine Avenue features artificial turf designed specifically for dog parks, lights, signage, park furniture for people, and waste receptacles as well as a bottle-refill fountain operational in the summer months. Existing trees and park elements were incorporated into the design, and additional trees and shrub planting were added around the edge of the new off-leash enclosure to complete the park.
“This new off-leash dog park is a great step forward in making Downtown living more attractive and accessible,” said Councillor Mike Pagtakhan, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks. “The new park is a great amenity for Downtown residents and also contributes to a vibrant and energetic Downtown where all Winnipeggers can gather and visit.”
The Downtown off-leash dog park is intended to build strong community ties by fostering social opportunities for dogs and people, encourage downtown living, help make dog ownership in the downtown more accessible, create a designated space for dogs to safely exercise and play with other dogs, and provide an amenity to attract people to the city's core.
Seven sites within Downtown Winnipeg were considered for the dog park. Based on public feedback and operational requirements, this portion of Bonnycastle Park was selected as the optimal location within a City greenspace. Benefits of this location are that it is a 5 - 10 minute walk of the Broadway-Assiniboine neighbourhood, is adjacent to the Assiniboine Riverwalk for on-leash dog walking, and the area is not prone to river flooding.
For more information, visit winnipeg.ca/DowntownDogPark