Dog park user fees abandoned

Calgary city council has rejected the idea of charging people to use off-leash dog parks.

Council voted on Monday to ensure a user fee is not included in the development of the city's off-leash park plan, which is expected to be released by the end of next year.

The idea of user fees came up at a committee meeting on Dec. 1 as a possible way of improving dog park facilities and expanding the number of parks.

The possibility touched off a firestorm of reaction from some park users and taxpayers, even though the idea was not supported by administration.

Ald. Brian Pincott, who floated the idea, said he heard support at public forums for user fees, but he has now backed away fromthe proposal.

"Since that time, I heard a lot from Calgarians, some who were in support of that, but many who said 'Look, you know, off-leash areas, public parks, are a public good and we shouldn't be charging for that.'And that argument actually resonated with me," said Pincott.

Calgary has 138 off-leash areas and is looking at adding another 15 by the end of 2011.