2025-06-02-
We Want to Hear From You!
The District of Clearwater wants your input on two requests that have been presented recently to the District Council, for the following new amenities to be located within Weyerhaeuser Pioneer Park:
- A dog park
- A bike park, including a kids’ bike trail network and a dirt pump track
These features would be in addition to the playground and Dragonfly water park that already exist in this park. There is enough space in the park to build one, or both, of these new areas. You do not need to pick your favorite, both can be done.
District Council has asked staff to collect input from nearby residents and the general public about these proposals. A decision about whether to proceed with these ideas will not be made until we hear back from the public. A brief description of each project follows.
- Proposed Dog Park
The Rotary Club has approached Council asking for a fenced dog park to be created. The Rotary Club will do fundraising to cover all or a portion of the costs of the park development. If this proceeds, the District will take responsibility to ensure the park is maintained to a high standard.
The Dog Park would be a fully-fenced area where dogs are allowed to run and play off-leash. Dogs would be accompanied by responsible handlers who ensure the dogs behave in a reasonable manner, the handlers are also responsible for cleaning up after their dog. Access to these areas allow dogs to become socialized to other dogs, to exercise, and have fun. If this park use proceeds, the intention is to leave most of trees in place allowing a shaded area for the dogs and less visual disturbance for the neighborhood.
Dog parks are very common features, with many in the Thompson Nicola Regional District area alone (Chase, Clinton, Logan Lake, Merritt, Sun Peaks and Barriere. Kamloops leads with an additional 25 dog parks and 3 dog beaches. Many people already choose to walk dogs in Weyerhaeuser Pioneer Park.
- Proposed Kids’ Bike Trail Network and Pump Track
The bike park has been proposed by a relatively large group of community biking enthusiasts who are committed to help with the project through every stage from design and fund raising, to ongoing maintenance if it is built.
The bike park area being proposed includes both a trail network for kids use, and a pump track. The trail network could include built elements such as bridges, ladders and whoops and natural-style obstacles. The dirt-surface pump track would be similar what has been built at the Westsyde pump track in Kamloops, featuring humps, jumps and banked corners to teach rider skills. Both the trail network and pump track will be built into the natural treed environment with the goal of minimal tree removal, other than for safety purposes.
Bike parks are another community amenity giving children and families more things to do together, and are a great way to improve rider skills, get exercise and enjoy the outdoors in a safe setting.
Proposed Site Layout of Park (click to enlarge)
The site layout above is for illustrative purposes only, once completed the actual design may vary.
Community Impacts
If approved, these projects will provide a number of community benefits, including:
- Creating additional amenities for the public to enjoy in a safe central location
- A focal point for the travelling public to stop and get out of their cars
- Improving opportunities for outdoor recreation
- Enhancing the public gathering space in the park
- Fire Smart principles will be applied throughout the park, providing more fire protection to the Weyerhaeuser neighborhood.
Along with these benefits there would be some challenges, including:
- More noise associated with people and their dogs and kids on bikes. This will be managed by limiting the hours of operations, similar to the current Dragonfly Park.
- An increase in traffic and cars parked in the lot. The parking lot will be improved, and possibly expanded, to handle the increased usage.
- Some trees will be removed for safety purposes, this would be kept to a minimum.
Next Steps
Residents adjacent to the park will be informed directly, with a hand-delivered notice. The general public will also have a chance to give their input via a survey that will be accessible from the District website and facebook page. We are planning an open-house type meeting at Weyerhaeuser Pioneer Park on June 25th from 3:30 to 6:00 pm.
Staff will prepare a report back to the District Council which outlines the level of community support for this project. If Council is still interested in the project after hearing back from the public, staff will prepare cost estimates related to the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance. Then, once Council understands the costs, they can decide whether or not to proceed.
Both groups which have approached Council will be very involved in the project through fundraising, looking for grants, seeking community sponsors and perhaps assisting with the actual work.
Ways to Provide Your Input
- Please complete the response form prior to June 30th, and submit it to the District:
- bring in the completed response form to the District Offices at the Dutch Lake Community Centre, or
- scan and email the completed form to admin@docbc.ca ,or
- if there is no mail strike, mail it to:
District of Clearwater,
PO Box 157, 209 Dutch Lake Road,
Clearwater, BC V0E 1N0
- Scan the QR code here and complete the survey online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D7VPKSB
- Go to the online survey at the District website: districtofclearwater.com, prior to June 30th
- Attend the public meeting on June 25 (from 3:30 to 6 pm) at Weyerhaeuser Pioneer Park, complete the form while there.