Current restriction
- No current restrictions in place.
Proposed restriction
- Dogs on-leash at all times.
Signage
- Proposed restrictions identified by signs at each entrance, eight signs are proposed for this site.
Compliance
- Compliance will be subject to customer reports of non-compliance and investigated by a ranger.
Rationale
- Wetlands in our region have matured and established since they were initially developed.
- Many are now home to a variety of species of plants and wildlife some of which are vulnerable or endangered. Permitting dogs off-leash allows them to interfere with habitats, disturb nesting birds, chase wildlife and crush vegetation.
- Keeping dogs on-leash and staying within the designated paths protects our wildlife and allows young plants to grow.
- By protecting the proposed areas with dogs on-leash, dog owners can assist in preserving the long-term health of our wetland environments.
- This site has a large wetland system with a very high ecological value in an otherwise urban landscape.
- More than 50 species have been identified including eight bird species that are listed as threatened or near threatened in this region.
- Many of these birds rely on access to shallow water, including use of the fringing and aquatic vegetation for nesting and foraging for food.