Walkerton is set to get a new off-leash dog park this spring.
Council for the Municipality of Brockton approved establishing the canine playground, on a pilot project basis, on the north side of Lobies Park.
The park will be set up there for at least one year, during which time staff will solicit feedback to bring to council before determining if Lobies Park will be the long-term location.
CFO Trish Serratore says it made the most sense of the options presented.
"We had about three or four different locations that were presented to the Parks and Recreation Board," she told council. "This one did end up being the preferred location just because of the open space. We do have somebody sitting in the Lobies entry space as well, plus security at nighttime and weekends. So we thought it would be a good spot just to try for the pilot project and see how it goes, and then if it doesn't work, look at some of the other options that were presented."
Councillor Mitch Clark says the dog park has been a long-requested item.
"I think this is a great idea," he said. "This is one of the things I've received from the public the most, a dog park. Some of the adjacent towns and municipalities have them and they tend to go over very well."
The gates and signage required for the park have been estimated to cost less than $1,000. The costs of the pilot project were included in this year's parks operating budget.