City collecting public opinions on Winnipeg’s first downtown dog park

WINNIPEG — The city of Winnipeg wants to give urban pups the same opportunity as their suburban furry friends.

“We’re looking to make sure we have a site that is easy to walk to, that would be fenced, encourage people to use it throughout the day and into the evening,” Jason Bell with the city said.

The green space would be Winnipeg’s first downtown off leash dog park. An open house on Wednesday shared the city’s options of where the park could be and how it would affect the surrounding area. The plans show the park will be about the size of a hockey rink. It’s a demand that has grown as the downtown population continues to rise.

“I think people are realizing this is an amenity that serves those who have dogs and those who don’t,” Bell said. “It’s a reason for people to stay downtown, to come downtown and to live downtown.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think people are realizing this is an amenity that serves those who have dogs and those who don't," Bell said. "It's a reason for people to stay downtown, to come downtown and to live downtown."

The city will review Winnipeggers’ feedback over the next few weeks. They hope to have a spot ready by the summer.