Commercial dog walkers will soon have an area in the North 40 Park Reserve for their fourlegged friends.
After more than two years of public consultation, reviews and reports, Delta council approved a new policy Monday.
A seven-hectare (17.5-acre) portion of the North 40 in East Ladner will be designated for commercial dog walking. Now that bylaws have been approved by civic politicians, a permit will be established for licenced businesses that wish to walk more than two dogs in the designated area and an annual permit fee will be established. This policy will be in effect on a oneyear trial basis and monitored by staff.
"Previously to this, commercial dog walking wasn't really formally recognized, so this report recognizes that, formalizes that and provides a really nice area for commercial dog walkers to access," said Coun. Robert Campbell at the June 26 council meeting.
"They can separate themselves if they want, but it provides some separation for people who don't want to be around that many dogs at one time. This policy provides rules and regulations around the transportation, licensing and qualifications necessary to be a commercial dog walker. This sets up what I think is a good set of regulations."
Under the new policy, each commercial dog walker will be allowed up to eight dogs with only four allowed off-leash at any time. All dogs must wear the provided tag that identifies them as part of the commercial dog walking group. Commercial dog walking can take place at the designated park space weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual permit fee will be $500. Coun. Jeannie Kanakos said she liked the proposal, but had questions about access to the designated walking area as well as the permit fees.
Director of parks, recreation and culture Ken Kuntz said permitted dog walking companies will be provided a key to gain access through a gate that will be installed, and then be able to drive to the designated area.
"The idea behind this plan is that we will allow the commercial dog walkers (those with licenses) a key to open the gate and drive directly to the offleash area," Kuntz said. "The idea is that those dogs can then be let out in the area that is specifically for the commercial dog walkers. By designating an area for commercial dog walking at the far end of the park and allowing for the transport of these multiple dogs directly to the area, conflicts with other park users should be minimized."
As for fees, Kanakos had concerns that $500 is too low and what would stop commercial dog walkers from Surrey coming to Delta because it is cheaper.
"If you are a commercial dog walking company with one person, so the sole proprietor, the fee is $500, but if you have two employees you can buy a second pass for $100, so the idea is for each additional employee you will pay an additional $100," added Kuntz.
"When we bring forward the bylaw there will be this rate for Delta-based businesses and a rate for non-Delta based businesses. We will be charging more for non-Delta-based businesses with the idea that we don't want to overrun this park from outside of Delta."
The new gate, as well as additional parking, waste bins, bag dispensers and signage is projected to cost $25,000 and will come from existing operational programs.
