Dozens of dog owners upset over a motion to get rid of the off-leash portion of Africville Park protested outside Halifax City Hall Tuesday evening.
The move follows complaints from some area residents who say it’s disrespectful to allow dogs to run loose through the park.
The community of Africville was demolished by the city in the 1960s and turned into Seaview Park. It was declared a National Historic Site in 1996 and renamed Africville Park in 2011.
Some residents have said that, given the history of the site, it should not have been turned into a dog park. Some have also expressed concerns about droppings and general safety.
But dog owners who frequent the park say the well-being of their pets need to be considered as well.
“I think it’s important for the dog’s socialization and their physical health as well,” says Jeff Lanthier. “As a concerned citizen, I worry about what will happen to the park when the dogs go, if it goes back to what it was nine years ago when it got no use.”
Dogs who visit the off-leash portion of the park are allowed to run free for now.
Coun. Linda Mosher says she would like to see more public consultation before a final decision is made.
