Enjoying the park (or “off leash dog park”)
Caught myself sitting on the bench on the dike overlooking of the Cowichan River — huge trees, listening to gulls and crows and feeling full of gratitude and awe.
I know all types of people and dogs enjoy Rotary Park sometimes two or three times a day. I have seen up to 10 to 12 dogs congregated in one stop, better socialized than some people I know. We are getting our dogs out, thereby getting ourselves out in a beautiful well cared for natural park. We make friends, sometimes walk alone, take family and of course, exercise our family dogs, mostly off leash. Some people are travellers who know of this gem of a park one block away from Highway 1.
Rotary Park, which I used to refer to as the off leash dog park on the river, is adjacent to McAdam ball field, with another entrance off McKinstry, Beech, and Wharncliffe roads (at the fish hatchery).
The park is bordered by small streams and the Cowichan River. The park offers wheelchair accessible shaded walks, river walks, and protected swimming ponds along the Cowichan River. There are washrooms at the McAdam ball field entrance. It is well groomed by hard working Parks people and regularly patrolled by city bylaw.
I understand that the City of Duncan parks people will be presenting their new plan for the park to city council early in the new year. In my dreams it could become a destination off leash dog park, for travellers and locals alike.
Pamela Braun
Duncan