There is a variety of ways by which local authorities can strategically assess the needs of dog owners for access to public open space. Councils should devise their own process according to local circumstances and issues and following established practice. A simplified version of the sequential steps involved is described below.
1. Identify characteristics of dog-ownership in the municipality
2. Identify population growth and change dynamics to gauge future trends and demand:
Consult census data, local zoning maps and urban planning strategies.
3. Compile an inventory of existing public open space:
4. Identify relevant legislation, by-laws and related strategies which may be relevant to the investigations and which may need to be modified.
5. Assess how well dog owners needs are presently being accommodated:
6.Identify the main issues, if any, associated with dogs' use of public open space as well as any trouble spots (obtain from registered complaints, observation and public consultation). Bearing in mind the capacity of these issues to be blown out of proportion, they then need careful assessment as to their significance and extent.
7. Prepare a strategy or plan that incorporates those components on which there is consensus and that presents alternatives for political decision on matters where there are differences.
8. Final preparation of strategy.
9. Disseminate and enact the strategy or plan in terms that are easily understood.
10. Ensure that ACO's are consulted by other departments in preparing plans for new subdivisions, recreation and public open space. Valuable opportunities may be lost if appropriate input is not made at the planning stage.
11. Monitor, evaluate and review the strategy or plan. This should be on-going. This should be seen as an inter-departmental exercise and is probably best co-ordinated by the town planning or recreation departments of local authorities with input from ACO's, park managers and engineers. Even better would be the formation of a steering committee comprising relevant staff, Councillors, representatives of other government departments and community stakeholders.
There is a range of policy responses to the question of dogs' access to public open space. Each has its place in a needs based strategy. However it is the combination of options overall that is most important not the provisions that may exist in any one park.
The starting point for any municipal wide strategy should be to allow dogs in all parks. Areas where they are banned and/or allowed off leash can then be designated following impartial assessment of conflicts and alternatives to banning.
The best way to plan for dog owners' needs is to aim for a hierarchy of opportunities that provides daily, regular and occasional opportunities. This satisfies the key criteria of accessibility and diversity outlined in Section 5.2.
It is not the purpose of this guide to prescribe standards - that can only be done at the local level using an implementation process as suggested in Section 6.4.