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.