A petition to create an off-leash dog park at Harmston Park is growing, with more than 160 signatures.

The change.org petition was created on Feb. 15. As of March 4, it has 224 signatures. The Record spoke with park neighbours, dog owners and a councillor to learn more about the idea.

鈥淗armston Park is an ideal location for such a space,鈥� reads the petition created by Lisa Mackenzie. 鈥淧lease join me in urging the city council to make this change. Your signature can help create a happier and healthier environment for all residents.鈥�

Neighbour Mike Flynn opposes the idea.

鈥淔orget it,鈥� he told the Record. 鈥淧eople think they can let their dog go, and to (heck) with the consequences.鈥�

Flynn lives directly across the street from Harmston Park. He said dogs have exited the park and attacked neighbourhood pets.

To Flynn, 鈥渋rresponsible dog owners鈥� sour the idea. Whether people don鈥檛 have control over their animals, or leave waste on the ground, it鈥檚 trouble for the park and the neighbourhood.

Dog owner Daniel Strnad agreed on that matter. He told the Record many dog owners are irresponsible. Better dog training would let Courtenay find an off-leash park that people could agree on, he added.

Despite that, Strnad 鈥渨ould like to see (the park). It would be nice.鈥�

He added that 鈥渋f people are against it, they can do a half day.鈥�

Strnad would advocate that people bring dogs to Harmston for a scheduled set of hours. Then, the park would resume general use.

If money is needed to make this happen, he suggested a small increase to the cost of dog licences. The funds raised from an increase of $20 for example could be spent on cleaning and maintaining the park.

Councillor Wendy Morin told the Record that the community has shown interest in a park, though not necessarily at Harmston Park.

鈥淭he public survey done during the Parks and Rec Master Planning process indicated support,鈥� she wrote in an email. 鈥淲e鈥檝e planned for (a dog park) in east Courtenay and one in west Courtenay for 2026.鈥�

Morin added that decisions on the issue are being made.

鈥淭he cty鈥檚 budget process is on now, with council deliberations that started this week. Public feedback is welcome and appreciated,鈥� she wrote on social media.

In the same social media post, Loretta Peeke-voutLafortune said Courtenay has bigger priorities.

鈥淲ith the City of Courtenay earmarking most of downtown neighbourhoods (as) high density, this park is needed now more than ever for families to enjoy,鈥� wrote Peeke-voutLafortune. 鈥淭ake a look at the new builds. There are no yards, maybe a small sundeck鈥� I would rather see the families playing soccer, bocce, picnicking, flying kites etc.

鈥淪orry, I do love dogs, but people come first.鈥�

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