Make Johnsons Beach a DOG FRIENDLY BEACH PARK
As we have no dog friendly beaches and this end of the city has no dog park near or easily accessible to those unable to walk a steep trail I would like it considered that Johnson's beach is the perfect location to designate a dog friendly beach. It's small, remote from other beaches enough that it would cause no issues and yet easily accessible to everyone by walk, driving or bus. Leash laws could still be intact which means no fencing would be needed while allowing dogs to cool down especially on those severely hot days.
Poop and scoop laws can still be enforced and all using the beach can be encouraged to report any who fail to follow it. This would mean no real cost would be placed on the city by simply allowing the animals to access the water.
Thank you for your participation in the City’s suggestion forum. We are sorry this update is being provided so late; the staff memo linked below was missed.
A staff memo from the Engineering Department was circulated to City Council (General Committee) on January 7, 2019. The memo was in response to two suggestions on this forum: “Make Johnsons Beach a DOG FRIENDLY BEACH PARK” and “Open a waterfront dog park”. Please refer to the full memo: https://bit.ly/3129NN9 .
In short, “as per the recommendations of the 2013 Barrie Waterfront and Marina Strategic Plan, when the Gables 2008 Master Plan is updated, staff will revisit whether this park is a viable location for a dog water access beach.” An update to the Gables Master Plan is forecast for 2024.
As per the established process for suggestions that reach 500 votes (Under Review), City councillors had three possible decisions in response to the memo in January 2019:
1. Refer the memo to staff for a report (suggestion would later be classified as Completed or Received for Information)
2. Refer the memo to a reference committee (suggestion would later be classified as Completed or Received for Information)
3. Take no action (suggestion would be classified as Received for Information)
No immediate action was taken in response to this memo in 2019, and this suggestion has therefore been classified as Received for Information.
Related links:
• Process for suggestions Under Review: http://bit.ly/1RNKheK
• Council & Committees: http://bit.ly/1XtdsII
• Communicating with City Council: http://bit.ly/1q3ApXS
• Legislative Information Portal: https://barrie.legistar.com
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Anonymous
commented
This is a TERRIBLE idea. Just because Johnsons Beach is "small and remote" does not mean it should be made a dog friendly beach. This beach is constantly packed with children and not all children love dogs. There is no room for both, precisely because it is so small.
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Tracy
commented
Yes please!!
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Caitlin
commented
Gables Beach located in Tollendale could be another location for a dog beach. I think it is important to have this access. Cherry Beach in Toronto is quite successful and merges people with dogs with little negative impact. Dog owners look after their dogs and **** and scoop. A dog beach is desperately needed in Barrie for those who do not have private access to water.
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Julia cooper
commented
Add my vote please
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Anonymous commented
If someone is monitoring this site.......Please combine this suggestion with the other 2 suggestions asking for a waterfront dog park.
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Tom Reeve
commented
I support the City looking to provide dog access to the water but don't think one of the existing beaches is the answer. I would suggest the City taking a look at all the waterfront and finding the best place to promote dog access to the water.
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Anon
commented
I am against this as i use this beach all the time i refuse to go to any other beach within the Barrie area due to tourists and only locals actually know about Johnson's beach.
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Anonymous
commented
Very bad idea. As much as you say "you will enforce stoop and scoop" laws. The fact is you do not do that now with other beachers or other areas of Barrie. So the answer is a stricket NO!
Children swim in that water, the last thing we need is poop everywhere and I believe the dog owners once they actually start picking up their poop. Right now they simply do not. From centenial, to dunlop, the walking paths and in every naighbourhood and park I have been in
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Jim
commented
Bad idea. No dogs alliwed on beaches
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Cindy Szentes
commented
Please do not allow this small beach for dogs. This is a very busy family beach with the majority of the waterfront sectioned off with supervised swimming. There are several paths. ( access points along the trail to walk your pets down to the waters edge for a swim.( not all of these paths are steep.)
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Monica Gaudet
commented
It's a fantastic idea. There are very good dog owners and why shouldn't they and their beloved four-legged family members not be allowed to share in Barrie's waterfront beauty. With proper monitoring it could absolutely work!
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Anne-Marie Hendry
commented
And other pet owners using the beaches are pretty good at policing others and making sure they pick up after their pets.
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Babbs Coady commented
This is not to have it as a Dog Beach but simply to allow leashed dogs access to the water and beach. All dogs would still have to be leashed (6ft leash as per bylaw) and always in the care of their owner/handler.
( https://www.facebook.com/johnsonbeachdiscussion ) -
Anonymous
commented
I think this would be a good idea for dog owners to have a place to take there dogs on a hot day. With rules in place, I could see this could be possible. Now will it be a beach with dogs allowed or a Dog Beach? I think a beach with dogs allowed would be better. That way people could come and sit with there dogs on a leash yet allow them to for a swim or dip in the water. Also, all dog feces would have to be cleaned up by owner and put in garbage supplied by beach for such purpose. Dogs and people would be happy with that.
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Nancy Head commented
Barrie definitely needs a dog friendly beach. Also tired of going out of town so my dog can experience the beach as well as cooling down on these hot days. Not all dog owners have A/C and not all dogs like the hose so the beach is a perfect place for them (and us) to cool down and have fun. One of my biggest pet peeves (even before i was a dog owner) was dog owners who do not clean after their dogs or worse they pick up the poop in a bag then toss the bag on the sidewalk, in a tree etc. Also the Dog Parks are not he greatest. Sunnidale is great, love taking my dog there, although it is on the smaller side. But The one in the south end i have had a few bad experiences there with unsocialized dogs. People need to teach their dogs good dog manners.
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update: we have now opened a facebook group so debates and discussions can be done and questions or feedback made to help refine this so that all can be as happy as possible with the potential idea. This in an open forum for all to have their say: https://www.facebook.com/johnsonbeachdiscussion
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Anonymous
commented
Add my vote to the list.
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Anonymous
commented
Toronto has done this at Cherry beach. they have integrated a dog friendly part of the beach with the main beach. The dogs can run free and play in the water. this allows families to enjoy the beach and water with their dog.
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**added note~ As the dogs will discourage geese from the area, the hygiene of the park will be improved since dog owners will be encouraged by all to pick up after their animals strongly by both beachgoers and dog owners who wish to keep the allowance of access.
City council can even consider placing a double fine at this particular beach on those who are reported as not following the bylaws if necessary. -
Sarah Hull
commented
This is a great idea! I lived in this area for 3 years and would always have to pack up the pup and drive out of town if it was a hot day. After living in Toronto for several years i was shocked when I moved back to Barrie to find little to no spaces for dogs/recreation. Neither off-leash park has any water access at all.