Dog owners in Banff have a reason to celebrate. The off-leash dog park at the Banff recreation grounds is open again after being closed since mid-June. The closure was due to foxtail, a fast-growing native grass that can cause serious health problems to dogs.
Thanks to the Town of Banff, the foxtail has been removed, new safe grass has been planted, and the park is now ready for romping dogs.
The foxtail problem was handled by removing the foxtail and spraying a herbicide. After several rains, which helped clear the area of herbicide residue, the park was deemed safe to reopen.
Residents are asked to report any new foxtail sightings to the Town of Banff so they can be dealt with immediately. This is part of an ongoing effort to keep the townsite safe for dogs.
The Hawk Avenue dog park remains closed. This park has issues with hazardous objects like glass and nails continually surfacing at the site, formerly a dump. Attempts to fix the problem have not yet been successful. The Town is still looking for a long-term solution.
In Banff, there are currently 448 licensed dogs. Annual pet licenses are required for both dogs and cats, and the fees are used to provide amenities like bag dispensers, the off-leash dog park, and the Banff animal shelter.
For dog lovers in Banff, it’s time to enjoy the reopened park. Just keep an eye out for that pesky foxtail, and if you see it, report it to the town so everyone can continue to have a safe and fun place to play.
