Ville-Marie dog park expands temporary enclosure after resident push during construction

Residents of Ville-Marie's Percy-Walters Park — a gathering place many have frequented for decades — will see the temporary dog enclosure expand while construction for rainwater management and facility improvements continues through December.

When the city began work at the park, most of the space closed off, leaving only a temporary enclosure that residents nicknamed "the cage." Dog owners raised concerns about the cramped conditions, but after a visit from borough councillor Leslie Roberts last month, the city agreed to expand the temporary pen.

Susan Spencer, a frequent visitor, said the expansion will be up to 50 percent larger and residents will be able to use the park right up until the new facility opens. "The city has been very attentive to our issues," said Judith Goldman, a daily visitor and retiree who said the park is her legacy. Resident advocacy played a key role: the city confirmed to reporters over the phone that the expansion will be completed by the end of summer.

For many in the neighbourhood, Percy-Walters is more than green space — it's a social hub and a reason some moved to the area. Goldman noted that people have made lifelong friendships through regular visits. The redevelopment and restoration projects underway since 2013 are part of the city's commitment to maintaining what residents refer to as a site of heritage interest.