Good news for pent-up pups. The City of Chilliwack is re-opening two off-leash dog parks this weekend.
The city released the news on Wednesday afternoon that they’re adapting the parks for physical distancing and hygiene measures.
“As British Columbia works together towards a new normal, the City of Chilliwack is reopening the dog off-leash areas in Vedder Park and off of Sheffield Way, as well as the off-leash section of the Vedder North Dyke Trail between Lickman Road and Webster Road, as of May 8, 2020,” they announced.
The tables and benches in the dog parks at Vedder Park and Sheffield will be temporarily wrapped and out of use. The gates will be altered so users can open and shut them by using their foot.
READ MORE: Dog parks get closed down in Chilliwack due to lack of social distancing and people congregating
“As the weather warms up, we know residents are looking for more places to run their four-legged friends,” said Mayor Popove. “We also know that practicing physical distancing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we expect residents who use these facilities to continue to keep a distance of at least 2m from other users.”
Signs reminding users of physical distancing measures will be placed at each facility. In areas such as the entrances/exits where physical distancing cannot be maintained, dog park users will be asked to limit the number of people entering and exiting the facility to one family at a time. If users of the off-leash areas are not physical distancing inside the parks, the City will re-evaluate the situation.
The parks were closed on March 30, due to the lack of physical distancing in the parks.
READ MORE: British Columbians can double their ‘pandemic bubble’ mid-May, but no large gatherings
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