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Allowance of on-leash pets recommended in Kiwanis Memorial Park

For immediate release: October 6, 2021 - 4:30 pm
CS-2560

An approval report will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services on October 12, 2021, outlining the proposed amendment to Bylaw No. 7860, The Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 to permit pets on-leash in Kiwanis Memorial Park.  

In 2019, City Council heard from residents and the business community that there was support to amend the current bylaw prohibiting pets in Kiwanis Memorial Park. City Council directed Administration to report back on the current feasibility of allowing pets on-leash in all riverbank parks along Meewasin Trail including the possible impacts, both positive and negative, of amending the Animal Control Bylaw No. 7860. 

Kiwanis Memorial Park is currently one of four areas in Saskatoon that prohibits pets on-leash and off-leash. Kiwanis Memorial Park has been designated and maintained as a pet-prohibited park since 1982 and is currently the only riverbank park or park along the Meewasin Trail where pets are not permitted.  

Administration from Recreation and Community Development engaged with both internal and external stakeholders, including the Animal Services Working Group, as well as the community on whether on-leash pets should be allowed in Kiwanis Memorial Park, identifying the associated opportunities and barriers of doing so. More than 2,200 respondents participated in a community survey, with the majority of respondents stating they strongly supported (72%) or supported (10%) allowing on-leash pets full access to the park at all times.   

“We were very excited to see great participation and positive support provided from the community as well as key stakeholder groups,” said Andrew Roberts, Director Recreation and Community Development. “With the majority of the 2,200 responses to the community survey and stakeholders supporting allowing pets on-leash in Kiwanis Memorial Park, Administration is recommending to Council to amend the bylaw”. 

The full report and attachments can be found here.