Dogs in Thorold will soon have a new place to roam—without a leash—along the shore of Lake Gibson.
City councillors voted Tuesday night to move ahead with a proposal for a dog park along Beaverdams Road, on a piece of land to be donated by the Lipscombe family.
The preliminary donation agreement between the landowners and the city stipulates that the space be used as a leash-free zone for dogs—and that the new park be named in honour of David E. Griffiths.
“David Griffiths has been part of this community and been involved as a naturalist and environmentalist over a number of years,” said councillor Fred Neale, who brokered the deal between the family and the city. “He was on the original committee for [Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation] Park. I think it’s only appropriate that it would be named after him.”
While the total costs of the project have not been finalized, the city’s 2022 budget sets aside $175,000 for construction, including $20,000 for legal fees related to the land transfer.
“I think it’s going to be a great location,” said councillor Anthony Longo. “I know most people would maybe prefer it somewhere closer to the centre of town, but given the fact the land is donated and just where it’s located, I think it is going to be fantastic.”
Longo has long supported the creation of a leash-free park in Thorold.
“As most of the council know I’ve asked about dog parks for the last seven years,” he said. “I saw it in the budget this year and I didn’t want to say anything in case any cat owners were listening, but I’m glad the money stayed in the budget and I look forward to seeing this completed.”
Curtis Dray, manager of community services, outlined the next steps in the project.
“What we’re going to do is come back with a formal design and a construction estimate for council’s consideration,” he said at the meeting. “To do the legal portion of the turnover of the land, that would be the $20,000 that we are referencing, but we will come back to council with additional reports, giving updated numbers and construction estimates.”
