This engagement project is now closed. It ran September 28 to October 22, 2023. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Project Update (February 2024):

Based on the results of the 2023 community engagement process, staff prepared the following report for consideration by Council (refer to pages PRCS – 10-37): https://citycouncil.richmond.ca/agendafiles/Open_PRCS_1-30-2024.pdf

At the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting on January 30, 2024, the committee endorsed staff-recommended ‘Option 1’ outlined in the report. This option proposed to shift the western fence line of the dog off-leash area to the east by approximately seven metres, which will increase the distance from the enclosure to residential property lines (from approximately eight to 15 metres). The increased buffer zone will allow for additional measures to reduce visual and noise impacts on park users and adjacent residents by introducing a one-metre high berm and dense tree planting.

At the Council meeting held on February 13, 2024, this item was on the Consent Agenda and received approval to proceed. The minutes will be made available here: https://citycouncil.richmond.ca/schedule/WebAgendaMinutesList.aspx?Category=6&Year=2024

As a result, construction of the updated dog off-leash area will resume, with work anticipated to commence within the next two months. Completion is anticipated by late spring 2024. Refer to ‘London-Steveston Dog Off-Leash Area – New Concept Plan’ in the Document Library on this page, which reflects the updates to the original concept plan.

What’s happening?

The City of Richmond is seeking residents’ feedback to inform next steps for the dog off-leash area at London/Steveston Neighbourhood School Park (London/Steveston Park).

In June 2023, construction began on a dog off-leash area near the north end of London/Steveston Park. The site was identified for this amenity in the London/Steveston Park Final Concept Design that was completed and endorsed by Council in 2015. The concept plan development was informed by a public engagement process that included four open house events in February and March 2015. (Please refer to the accompanying PDF boards, in the document library, which include an engagement summary and the London/Steveston Park Final Concept Design).

The development of London/Steveston Park has occurred in phases:

• Phase 1 (2018) included new pathways to the north and south of Kingsley Estate, connecting the park to No. 2 Road.
• Phase 2 and 3 (2019-2020) included new pathways, rolling topography, tree planting and an updated playground.
• Phase 4 (2020-2021) included a multi-purpose plaza and basketball half-court.

Construction of the dog off-leash area represents the final phase of park development.

In July 2023, staff heard from neighbouring residents who expressed concerns about the dog off-leash area under construction. A delegation spoke to these concerns at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting on July 19, 2023. Following the Council meeting on July 24, 2023, staff were directed to pause construction and conduct further public consultation to review concerns and explore options to address them where possible.

Due to the period of time that has elapsed since the London/Steveston Park Final Concept Design was completed, staff are seeking input from nearby residents on the following topics:

• Your level of support for a dog off-leash area in London/Steveston Park
• Your level of support for the dog off-leash area site identified in the London/Steveston Park Final Concept Design
• Anything else you would like to tell us

Please complete the short survey below by 11:59 PM on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

Public open houses will be held on site at London/Steveston Park on:

• Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 9:00-11:00am
• Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 5:00-7:00pm

Feedback from this survey will improve our understanding of community concerns, needs and desires, and help us deliver the best possible outcome for all park users and nearby residents.