The City of New Westminster is making the a dog relief station on Columbia Street a permanent fixture so pedestrians don’t have to dodge “landmines” as they walk in the downtown.
In response to dog waste being left on sidewalks and streets in the downtown, the city installed a dog relief station at the corner of Columbia and Begbie streets as part of a one-year trial. On Monday, council approved a staff recommendation to make the dog relief station permanent.
“I was a little concerned at first when we put this to trial, but I see now that we weren’t barking up the wrong tree,” quipped Coun. Chuck Puchmayr. “Obviously we haven’t unleashed a lot of public opposition to this, so I say, ‘Good work everybody.’ It is good for the people living in apartments.”
The dog relief station in intended to provide a place near residential buildings where dog owners can take their dogs to relieve themselves. It’s not a place that’s meant for exercising or socializing dogs.
Dean Gibson, the city’s director of parks and recreation, said businesses have supported the initiative and want it to continue.
“Ultimately, the provision of the relief area provides some relief for those using the sidewalks who have to avoid landmines,” he said.
Gibson said the dog relief station has proven to be quite welcome as a proactive measure for addressing dog “landmines” and some of the “unpleasantries” associated with that.
“It’s certainly been a positive trial period for us,” he said. “We are looking at that as a solution that may have opportunity to be applied across other areas in commercial districts in the city.”
Coun. Mary Trentadue said “it’s frustrating and it’s not a great experience” when people don’t pick up after their dogs.
“I wasn’t really sure how it was going to go over. I am still not sure that I love it when you walk by,” she said. “It’s sort of odd looking, but the reality is I don’t have a dog living in an apartment in the downtown area.”
Coun. Patrick Johnstone supports the decision to make the dog relief station permanent, but isn’t keen about the esthetics of the space.
“The white and blue fence kind of stands out downtown. It might be a great idea for a trial to make it stand out so people are aware it’s there but once it becomes an established thing in the neighbourhood, it would kind of be nice if it sort of fit a bit better with the heritage esthetic of the neighbourhood, instead of being a bright blue plastic fence that sticks out,” he said. “Other than that, I am happy that dogs are happy.”
The designated area, which is roughly the size of a parking stall, is fully equipped with an irrigation system and contains artificial turf specifically designed for the do-do business. A staff report states that the installation of the dog relief station has improved the cleanliness of sidewalks.
