Our family recently spent a sunny, warm late afternoon picnic at our local water park. What should have been a relaxing, enjoyable time was anything but.
The family sitting on the adjacent park bench had two large pit bulls with them as well as two small children - one a baby in a stroller. The couple blatantly smoked in this location as well. This is directly in front of the waterpark where a large number of young children were playing, shrieking and rushing around through the shooting water.
After some time, the family moved up the hill, dogs in tow, to a bench at the forefront of the playground. No one dared to educate the couple about the dog bylaw or smoking bylaw because of the threatening dogs with them.
In the past few years, park bylaws regarding dogs are not being enforced and have become a joke.
Last year on Connaught HilI, we were charged by an unleashed pit bull while the owner ran after it. We quickly placed our young children on our shoulders and hugged a tree for safety. This is another ‘no dog’ park in the city. Fortunately in this instance, the dog only jumped up on us and the owner took it away.
City bylaw should take immediate action and renew active enforcement of the basic park rules before a child/person is injured. The city is responsible for the provision of safe public areas, especially children’s play areas.
Joanne MacMillan
Prince George
