Halifax council considers new centralized service dog-only park

Halifax council will consider a proposal to replace the city's service dog park, which is closed for the week as construction continues on the Cogswell Street roundabout.

Shelley Adams said she and her guide dog, Pogo, have only used the site a handful of times because it's hard to reach by bus and has poor street crossings. 

"The times we went there, we got a drive, because it's not really an accessible location by bus," she said. 

"We would show up and there'd be people in there that just don't have service dogs, just using the park. So, that was not good, because we're supposed to be really strict with our dogs, to make sure they're playing with really well-trained dogs as well — just to keep them safe." 

The new proposed location would be built in Ardmore Park, near Almon and Oxford Streets. The former horseshoe pit would be expanded and transformed into a service dog park right next to the outdoor facilities.

Adams said she's excited at the prospect of having a new park to which her family and Pogo can visit. 

"I would be able to take Pogo and have him run around the service dog park and my son could be playing on the playground. So, for me, it's just a nice sort of a nice family location — very well-located, very accessible."

In addition, city staff are recommending an entry swipe card be given to those with registered service dogs.