Tuesday, July 22, 2014 (Halifax, NS) – As in past years, the Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that the off-leash area at Africville Park in Halifax will be closed for the duration of the Africville Picnic and Reunion Festival.

This year the closure will be from July 24-28, inclusive. Signage will be posted at the park and dog owners are asked to respect the closure.

The municipality regrets any inconvenience this closure may cause. A list of other off-leash areas in municipal parks and sports fields across the region is available at http://www.halifax.ca/Property/OLPS/olps_maps.php.

The existing off-leash area at Africville Park will be closing permanently, as per Regional Council’s direction, as soon as a new off-leash site is identified and opened. Councillors have asked that the new park be in place by the end of 2014.

Residents are reminded of a public consultation session being held tomorrow night to discuss the new proposed fenced-in off-leash dog park. Council has identified land to the right of the parking lot at Africville Park, near the MacKay Bridge, as an alternative site.

The public consultation session will run from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, at the Halifax Forum, 6209 Almon St., in the Maritime Hall building. For residents who are unable to attend, feedback can be sent to Holly Richardson in Real Estate and Land Management at richarh@halifax.ca.

For more info on off-leash areas and the municipality’s Off-Leash Parks Strategy is available online at http://www.halifax.ca/property/olps/index.php.

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Media Contact:

Jennifer Stairs
Halifax Regional Municipality
Public Affairs
902-476-5975
stewarj@halifax.ca