Island View plan turns beach into dog park

Re: “Island View Beach management plan gets endorsement,” Nov. 18. Island View Beach Park will, for all intents and purposes, be turned into a dog park. One of the environmental and recreational gems of the community, paid for by all residents of the region, now caters to less than a third of the region’s population.

I participated fully in the process, but between a balanced draft plan and the final product, something happened. It is not only bad for the birds, the plants and the animals, it is bad for people. In every inch of the park open to people, dogs are allowed to run free, and correspondingly, there is not one inch where it will be safe to allow small children to do so.

I represented environmental interests at numerous meetings, forums and panels. I speak now for those uncomfortable in the presence of unfamiliar, free-roaming dogs, people who probably don’t go to Island View Beach, Elk/Beaver Lake or Thetis Lake anymore, who are intimidated by growling and barking dogs, who have small children who can no longer run free in these parks because of the danger of “friendly” dogs, who are tired of tracking home dog feces on their shoes.

Capital Regional District Parks heard loud and clear from a strong lobby of dog owners, but didn’t hear from those who have had to abandon their rights to our community parks in favour of the dogs. Make your voice heard. Contact your CRD representative before the plan is indelibly set on Dec. 12. Ann Nightingale Saanichton