The construction of a long-awaited dog park in Wesbrook Place has begun
The park site is located north of Birney Avenue near Ross Drive and Webber Lane. The total cost is estimated at $230,000, with maintenance costs to be absorbed into the UNA budget.
The UNA said construction could be completed as early as the end of October or early November.
UBC’ development permit board approved the park design and issued a permit during the summer, allowing construction to begin.
Directors unanimously approved the plan for the park in March after incorporating community feedback received during a six-week public engagement period last year.
The latest design includes the addition of shading structures, planted trees and seating elements, which were added after the public consultation.
Other features of the park include two fenced areas: one for small dogs and one for large dogs, pedestrian pathways, and waste disposal stations.
The site for the park was selected by a working group and chosen due to its central location and proximity to nearby recreational spaces. It’s also part of a larger parcel of land that is reserved for an elementary school, but construction of the school is not expected to begin for an estimated five to 10 years.
The park’s design also retains four existing beach volleyball courts that currently occupy the site, the UNA says.