Answers

1. What’s next for the strategy now that Council has amended Animals Bylaw?

   Staff will revise the implementation Plan and budget to align with councils approvals and directions.

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2. At the September 25 Council meeting there was mention of P4 and P4N – what is this and how can I get information about this?

   This refers to the zoning assigned to the park. P4 is zoned Recreation and Open Space and P4N is a Natural Park. These zones can be viewed on the Saanich GIS map. The zoning layer can be found with the ‘Planning’ tab. 

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3. Can you clarify the list of parks that will be proposed as: leash optional, leash optional only from 6am to 9 am, which areas will be fenced?

   This information will be clarified and included in the revised bylaw amendments to be presented to Council on October 30.

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4. Can you let us know if the 10-meter leashing requirement is still going to be in place around playgrounds or is the dog prohibition on the actual playground space replacing that?

   This information will be clarified and included in the revised bylaw amendments to be presented to Council on October 30.

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5. Did the Council direction on September 25 intend that the three current pop-up parks will retain the temporary fencing until a plan and budget is put forward?

   No, this was not the intention. These would be developed as permanent facilities once funding becomes available. The reason is that these facilities (at Rudd, Lambrick and Hyacinth) lack the proper drainage and surfacing required for winter use. 

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6. What will the implementation plan include going forward?

   The implementation plan and budget will be adjusted once staff have an approved bylaw that sets the parameters for pets in parks. These will both align with Council’s approvals and directions. 

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7. What happens now that the People Pets and Parks Strategy has been approved?

   Pets will continue to be welcome in Saanich Parks, and dogs and their owners can still enjoy access to the same Saanich parks they are allowed to visit today. The primary impact of the Strategy is a change to the Animals Bylaw and how it applies to leashed and leash-optional definitions for different Saanich Parks.

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8. Why did Saanich need a People, Pets & Parks Strategy?

   Saanich is unique in that - with a few notable exceptions – most Saanich parks allow dogs off leash as long as they are kept under the effective control of their owners. The Animals Bylaw [PDF - 6 MB] is the main tool to enforce this requirement along with public education.

   The People, Pets and Parks Strategy was directed to Saanich staff by Council on July 5, 2021, in response to increased conflict between people and pets, pets and wildlife, and pets and the environment. Further, there was an interest by Council to better align Saanich’s Animal Bylaw with federal Migratory Bird regulations.

   In growing communities like Saanich, the built environment is changing and the population is increasing, with more residents are living in smaller spaces and multi-unit complexes. Subsequently, there is increasing demand on public spaces and parks as an alternative to people’s residential property, and diverse users need to share District parks to socialize, exercise, relax, and play.

   Since the pandemic, the District has seen significant increase in park visitation. The People, Pets and Parks Strategy revisits pet-related bylaws, policies, and approaches in parks that were originally developed in the context of a more rural and suburban Saanich, aiming to update them where necessary to reflect the District’s complex and integrated modern park system.   

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9. What will the change in bylaws mean for me and my pet(s)?

   Pet owners will see changes in the way that they may access Saanich parks with their pets as a result of the recommendations made in the People Pets and Parks Strategy. The primary impact of the Strategy is a change to the Animals Bylaw and how it applies to leashed and leash-optional definitions for different Saanich Parks.  Once the parameters of an amended bylaw have been approved by Council, staff can begin to finalize an implementation plan. 

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10. What are park natural areas?

    Natural areas are an important part of the overall Saanich Parks system providing residents with access to nature and associated recreational opportunities. Natural areas are a unique subset of parkland— different from groomed parks in that they present unique and different opportunities and management challenges. Compared to open spaces, natural areas require different management programs.

    The park’s open spaces have been adapted for play and heavy traffic and are groomed so they have an orderly appearance and are maintained by Saanich staff. Natural areas are maintained to preserve habitat and ecosystem functioning while accommodating low intensity activities. This work is coordinated by Saanich staff with the assistance of volunteers and community groups who focus on controlling or eradicating invasive plants and noxious weeds as well as the restoration of natural areas where appropriate.

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11. What are Indigenous cultural and archaeological sites?

    The District of Saanich lies within the territories of the lək̓ ʷəŋən peoples represented by the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and the W̱  SÁNEĆ peoples represented by the Tsartlip, Pauquachin, Tsawout, Tseycum and Malahat Nations. The First Peoples have been here since time immemorial and their history in this area is long and rich. First Nations across Canada help to protect cultural and archaeological sites by contributing traditional knowledge, values, and participating in the consultative process. It is important to be aware of these sites and consider them in land and development planning.

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12. What are the proposed parks that will have leash optional and under control areas?

    This will depend on the final parameters of the amended bylaw which is currently being drafted based on direction received from Council at the September 25 meeting.

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13. Who is the consultant who developed the Strategy and how were they chosen?

    Lees and Associates Landscape Architects was the lead consultant for the Strategy. They have been practicing for over two decades with professional staff including professional landscape architects, landscape designers and planners. They were supported by a team of sub-consultants, including polling experts, engagement experts and researchers. Lees and Associates submitted a proposal response to an RFP that was evaluated by Saanich through the competitive bid process. The team was also interviewed prior to being awarded the contract.

    The project lead from the consultant team has over 15 years of diverse project experience including municipal park and recreation planning, environmental and watershed planning, environmental impact assessments, and trail planning and design. Their science background suited Saanich’s desire for a consultant that was focused on evidence-based solutions, while their landscape architecture training helped to synthesize multiple site planning and design considerations in the urban and natural environment.

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14. Did Saanich Legal Counsel review the proposed strategy?

    Added July 7, 2023

    The Saanich municipal solicitor reviewed the strategy and the recommended changes to the bylaw and did not raise any areas of concern for the District.

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15. What are the guidelines in the surrounding municipalities of Victoria, View Royal and Esquimalt?

    In each of these jurisdictions, dogs are only permitted off-leash in designated areas. Victoria has 12 leash-optional areas, Esquimalt has six, and View Royal has five. Gonzales beach in Victoria is open to dogs off-leash Sept through May.  Esquimalt has one beach that is leash-optional, year-round, and one beach leash-optional Nov-May.

    

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16. How and when will a monitoring program be developed and what baseline data will be used?

    Staff will develop a monitoring and evaluation program that aligns with the PPP values and objectives, Council’s approvals, directions and concern; and with staff resources and capacity.

    With respect to baseline data, Saanich Parks has records such as calls for service (i.e.: public requests for work in parks, complaints, etc.), photographs of projects, drawings, maps, plans, etc. that can be used along with regular photo monitoring, trail counters, and other data collection tools to establish a baseline for the monitoring program. 

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17. What data was used to guide the development of policy?

    Several data sources were collected by or provided to the Consulting team for consideration in the development of the strategy included, but not limited to:

    • Scientific literature on the impacts of pets in park systems on wildlife and the environment. 
    • Health benefits of pets
    • The State of Biodiversity and State of the Urban Forest reports, completed as part of separate Saanich strategies, providing a Saanich-specific overlay from which to evaluate park system sensitivities. 
    • Approaches used by other municipalities in Canada and the US to respond to concerns over impacts from pets in parks (i.e.: precedent research). 
    • Data on public requests for service in Saanich parks. 
    • Current staff projects, monitoring and evaluation of the park system including photographs, maps, plans, and reports.  

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18. How long will it take to create permanent fenced leash-optional areas, and will the community have input into the design and amenities offered in these areas?

    Now that the Animals Bylaw has been amended the strategy implementation plan and budget will be adjusted to suit councils direction.

    Originally the People, Pets and Parks Strategy proposed a five-year implementation plan. It is expected that work on fenced facilities will be undertaken as funding allows. The temporary pop-up dog parks that ran in 2022 and 2023 and the public feedback they generated have helped to identify how best to build these facilities and the amenities that are needed.

    This information will be used in the creation of the permanent fenced leash-optional areas. Ahead of construction of the permanent leash-optional areas, the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback.

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19. Why did we start with updating the bylaws?

    As we heard through the engagement process, residents want well-defined regulations to help mitigate conflicts. This process began with amending the Animals Bylaw to ensure our parks are welcoming to everyone, and to better protect the natural environment.

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20. Why were outdoor cats and horses not addressed in the strategy?

    While dogs are often the focus of attention, the People, Pets and Parks Strategy recommends that all other pets visiting parks with their guardians must be on leash and under control. Any animal that is roaming at large (without a guardian) is subject to the Animal Control bylaw.

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21. How will the monies for the strategy be spent?

    The original Implementation Plan (page 51) outlined by the consultant team will not be adjusted based on the bylaw amendments approved by council on November 6, 2023.

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22. How is access to leash-optional areas for those with disabilities being addressed:

    Where possible and appropriate, we strive to make accessibility improvements on every project we undertake throughout the park system. The People, Pets and Parks Strategy considers accessibility, and our aim will be to provide some accessible leash-optional facilities, depending on what is ultimately approved. Not all leash-optional areas will be fenced, and many parks identified as leash-optional have paths and open areas that are suitable for those with mobility challenges.

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23. What is being recommended for beaches once the Animal Bylaw has been amended?

    All beaches and beach access within the Victoria Migratory Bird Sanctuary (see map) are on-leash. 

    

    Beaches outside of the Victoria Migratory Bird Sanctuary will remain leash-optional with the same seasonal restrictions that currently exist:

    • Dogs are prohibited during the months of May through August at:
      • Cordova Bay Beach between Walema Avenue right-of-way to Cordova Bay Park
      • EXCEPT before 9:00 a.m.
      • Whitehead Park
      • PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park) beach

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24. I understand the beach area below the high tide mark is federal government land, not municipal property. How does this affect Saanich park/beach restrictions?

    

    All levels of government play a role in managing coastal shores. Local governments hold the authority to plan and regulate land use within their respective boundaries, which may extend over foreshore and nearshore areas. They do this through a variety of ways, including bylaws. The map image (right) shows the extent of Saanich’s boundary, which does extend into the water. The amended bylaw will clarify this issue.

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25. Implementation of the strategy will begin with an amendment in early fall. Is there an official start day that has been decided on?

    Once amendments to the bylaw are passed after 4th reading, there will be an education and transition period allowing us to educate park visitors about the changes. During that time people will start to see signs being installed in various parks as well as temporary fencing being placed on the trails in affected parks.

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26. With low enforcement resources, how does the council plan to enforce these new regulations?

    Saanich currently contracts our animal enforcement to CRD Animal Care Services. This contract will continue after the amendments are passed. Once the new Animals Bylaw is in place, Saanich and the CRD Animal Care Services will review the requirements and adjust accordingly.

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27. What positive impacts does the council hope to create with the People Pets and Parks strategy?

    Saanich parks are for everyone. Pets are a welcome part of the community, and both people and pets benefit from outdoor recreation and use of public parks. The goal of the People, Pets and Parks Strategy is to help achieve a balanced approach for sharing Saanich’s 172 parks.

    The feedback emphasized there is a need for parks to accommodate different types of pets/dogs depending on size, behaviour, level of training, age and mental state. Accommodation of diversity will happen in part through the provision of new, exciting amenities and services in Saanich Parks. Please refer to Appendix A – Leash Optional Typologies. 

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28. Are there any environmental benefits from the People Pets and Parks strategy?

    The main aspects include reducing disturbance to birds and wildlife; improving dog waste management; and reducing disturbance to sensitive ecosystems including riparian areas, wetlands, estuaries and mudflats, Coastal Douglas fir and Garry oak ecosystems.

    Please refer to Appendix D - Pets and the Environment.

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29. What does the proposed bylaw amendment mean for Cedar Hill, Rithet’s Bog and Quick’s Bottom?

    Clarifying what was put forward to council on September 11/23 and will continue to be put forward on October 30.

    • Rithet’s Bog - no dogs allowed in the park except on-leash on the perimeter trail (continue as it is currently)
    • Quick’s Bottom –this park would remain as a ‘no-dogs’ allowed park (continue as it is currently)
    • Cedar Hill Park - the park would continue to be on-leash in all areas of the park (trails and open areas), but no dogs would be allowed on the active golf course.

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30. Understanding Trail Usage Data from Infrared Counters

    Did you know that Saanich Parks and CRD Parks both use infrared counters on trails? For more informatin, see our Trail Usage and Infrared Counters webpage. 

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31. With the announcement of retractable leashes or leashes longer than 2.4M (8’) not being allowed in Saanich, does that mean I cannot use them in leash-optional parks?

    ‘Leash’ means a non-extendable fixed leash of not more than 2.4m (8’) in length.

    In leash-optional parks, dogs are not required to be on leash, but people are welcome to use leashes. If dogs are off leash, they must remain under control which means “in direct and continuous charge and within a clear line of sight of a person who has control over the dog and immediate return of the dog to the person upon recall or signal.”

    In all leash-optional areas, there is no requirement to be on “Leash”, therefore, these areas would permit training leashes and retractable leashes

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32. Can you clarify the list of parks that will be proposed as: leash optional, leash optional only from 6am to 9 am, which areas will be fenced?

    This information appears in the schedules attached to the amended Animals Bylaw [PDF - 8 MB].

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33. Can you let us know if the 10-meter leashing requirement is still going to be in place around playgrounds or is the dog prohibition on the actual playground space replacing that?

    Dogs will continue to be required to be on leash within 10 metres of a playground and are now prohibited from entering the playground surface area surrounding the play equipment.

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34. Is there an official start day that the bylaws will be enforced?

    We’ve now entered an education and transition period that will give Saanich staff and CRD enforcement officers time to inform park visitors about the coming changes.

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35. If a park is not listed on either Schedule C or D (Autumnwood park for example) of the amended Animals Bylaw, are dogs supposed to be leashed at all times in the park?

    There are 43 parks on Schedule C and 56 on Schedule D which adds up to 99 parks, but with over 170 parks in Saanich this leaves many parks unaccounted for.

    The answer is yes – if it is not on those lists then it reverts to the default which is dogs must be on a leash in those parks and in other public areas in Saanich.

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