The old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” comes to mind as it relates to the Osoyoos Off-Leash Dog Park.
Several weeks ago, well-known dentist and community leader Dr. Jason Bartsch appeared before Town of Osoyoos council asking them to re-purpose the current dog park and turn it into an upgraded minor baseball facility, complete with a regulation pitcher’s mound, dugouts and all the modern amenities.
During his presentation, Bartsch suggested the current dog park could be moved to Kinsmen Park on the east side of town and he suggested this site would actually be an improvement as it’s much easier to access than the current park located just north of Osoyoos Secondary School.
After reading about Bartsch’s presentation, local dog owner and regular dog park user Elizabeth Burnett said she had to speak out against his proposal.
Early last week, Burnett distributed a petition – on paper and online- asking local residents to voice their support for keeping the Osoyoos dog park where it is now and for many years to come.
As of the end of the weekend, well over 300 residents have supported Burnett’s petition.
No matter what side of the issue you’re on, there can be no argument that Bartsch and his supporters and Burnett and her supporters are only trying to make this community a better place to live.
As Burnett commented, there’s no one in this community who is against kids playing baseball and there’s little doubt that minor baseball has made a huge comeback in Osoyoos and the kids need a proper place to play and hone their skills.
But asking our community leaders to shut down and move a dog park that has become such a popular and well-used amenity for more than five years was surely going to garner a strong response.
If the dog park in its current location wasn’t being used or users were being disrespectful and causing damage, there might be a good reason to close it down or move it across town.
The reality is the Osoyoos dog park is a sensational amenity that is used by literally thousands of dog owners and their canine friends over the course of a year.
When more than 300 residents in a town of 5,000 sign a petition asking that council leave the existing dog park right where it is, it sends a pretty clear message to council and the community at large.
There’s no doubt a petition asking that a minor baseball park be built at this location would also generate strong support.
That’s why this is such a tough call and council is going to have to have some lengthy discussions before making a final decision.
In a small town like ours, there aren’t a lot of options to keep everyone happy all of the time.
At the end of the day, forcing a dog park that has become a community gem ever since it opened and is extremely popular to move across town is simply the wrong call.
The final decision will lie with town council and it’s going to be a tough call, but, as mentioned earlier, if the current dog park ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
With that being said, considering how popular minor baseball has become recently, all options for a new facility must also be explored by council.
