Winnipeg urged to build more dog parks

City of Winnipeg parks staff are recommending council set aside $1.8 million over the next six years to create new off-leash areas for dogs and make policy changes to make it easier to create seasonal dog parks.

In a report to council's protection, community services and parks committee, parks and open spaces manager Dave Domke recommends the city set aside $300,000 a year to create new dog parks.

Even if approved, the request would not result in funding for dog parks. It would be forwarded to the city councillors responsible for putting together next year's budget, a committee that won't be formed until after the municipal election this fall.

• Winter dog doo causes stink, poses health risks for pets as grass greens up Winnipeg parks
• That 'weird-looking dog' at the Kilcona dog park is actually a pig

Domke's report also recommends the adoption of a new offleash-area policy that includes recommendations to create seasonal winter dog parks on stretches of frozen rivers and seasonal warm-weather dog parks within hockey-rink enclosures.

The committee will consider the report on Tuesday.