Let the pooches paddle.
In an online survey, Sylvan Lakers overwhelmingly came out in support of a designated area where dogs can take a dip in the lake.
Of the 495 people who filled out the survey and the five who wrote letters, just under 82 per cent (405 votes) were in favour of a dog-friendly swimming zone.
About 15 per cent (73) were opposed and about three per cent (17) were not sure what to make of the idea.
Town council will take a look at the survey results at its Monday meeting. With 500 respondents, the survey ranks only behind one on cannabis for generating public input.
On the question of what sort of area should be created, 61 per cent wanted to see an off-leash zone surrounded by a fence.
About 30 per cent of voters envisioned an area where dogs would remain leashed, but could join their owners for a swim. Just under nine per cent had not thought about what the area should look like.
Participants were also polled on which of three off-leash dog zone concepts they preferred. Two were proposed in the 39th Street area, one larger than the other. A third dog area was proposed for Lakeshore Park, next to the marina.
Lighthouse Park was the choice of 46 per cent of respondents, with a much-larger 12,000-square-foot park stretching along the beach between 38th and 39th streets the choice of 28 per cent.
Less than six per cent favoured a park at the foot of 39th Street that would be much smaller than the other proposed for that area. Ten per cent wanted an on-leash area only, and another 10 per cent remained opposed to lake access for dogs.
While the favourite of those polled, the Lighthouse Park is by far the smallest site and has been eyed as a possible location for day boat mooring and recreation business opportunities.
That could make the area very congested, warned town staff.
It was recommended that council hold off on picking a site until a complete vision for the lakefront has been completed.
pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com
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