ManitobaSome dog owners in North Kildonan are calling on the City of Winnipeg to stop construction at a local park, saying it will disrupt the off-leash area they frequent with their furry friends.Initial phase of Kilcona Park revitalization would see road being built through off-leash areaArturo Chang · CBC News · Posted: Sep 11, 2025 11:14 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoA 2018 photo showing dogs at Kilcona Park. Some dog owners say construction of a road through an offleash area will disrupt access to areas they frequent with their furry friends. (CBC)Some dog owners in North Kildonan are calling on the City of Winnipeg to stop construction at a local park, saying it will disrupt the off-leash area they frequent with their furry friends.The city’s initial phase on its plans to revitalize Kilcona Park include a new paved parkway running north of the dog park, which will also be fully enclosed by a new fence.An online petition, which has garnered just over 500 signatures as of Thursday evening, says the project would cut off parts of the park, significantly limiting dogs’ ability to roam freely. It calls on the city to stop its plans to build the road, and look for other ways to expand the park’s infrastructure without compromising its green spaces.”It’s kind of [in a] pristine state,” said Tom Moody, who opposes the construction. The longtime North Kildonan resident said he visits the park with his dog, Scout, every day.”It’s an integral part of my life,” he said. “I can’t speak for everybody here, but everybody I’ve talked to just think it’s kind of heavy-handed, this idea of the road. It’s intrusive.… There’s going to be heavy construction for who knows how long.”The city said in an email construction is expected to begin next year and continue into 2027.The new boundary would also bar access to a lake north of the dog park.Renee Gould helped put the petition together. She said closing down that part of the park will mean people can only really “walk in circles.”The city’s initial phase on its plans to revitalize Kilcona Park include a new paved parkway running north of the off-leash area, which will also be fully enclosed by a new fence. (City of Winnipeg)”The dogs aren’t good when they’re in a … small group,” she said. “They’re better when they’re passing each other and then there’s no dog fights.”A report on the Kilcona Park’s revitalization was first published by the city in 2014, following local consultation.As part of the plan, the dog park would get new access points and amenities, and the grading of the landfill at its centre would be adjusted so it’s more accessible to people with mobility issues.”On a rainy day, there are so many areas that are muddy. We’re going to address those areas,” said North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty. “We’re going to add protective, covered areas.… Shade canopies, things like that.”Browaty said revitalizing Kilcona Park will allow areas that are underused to realize their full potential.WATCH | Dog owners oppose construction of road through Winnipeg park:Dog owners growling over plans for road through off-leash parkThe City of Winnipeg’s plan to revitalize Kilcona Park is drawing criticism from dog owners, who have launched a petition to stop construction of a public road that would block off-leash access in certain areas of the park.”This new north road will allow the community to come and drive up to an area by a beautiful lake and have, you know, a Sunday picnic with friends and family,” he said.The city said about $5 million in capital has been allocated for the first phase of renovations, which include the demolition of derelict buildings at the Harbourview Park site on the corner of Springfield Road and Cox Boulevard.Future plans include further renovations at the site, new docks, picnic shelters and an all-seasons pavilion.”The idea of fixing up or revamping the Harbourview, we all support that,” Moody said. “But just don’t come build a road through our park.”With files from Felisha Adam
Winnipeg dog owners growl over plans to build road through North Kildonan park
