One step closer to a dog park
by Brandon Mayer
It was a case of “Camouflage Property Maintenance to the rescue” for members of the Chesterville dog park committee last week, after member Maya Séguin-Abels heard from Township recreation official Brandon Cousineau that the local company agreed to handle the lawn care at the dog park for a minimum of one year in exchange for advertising.
In a follow up email sent to council members, committee members, and Township officials, Maya held firm on the committee’s overall position while addressing a continued snag: “As a committee, we are extremely grateful (and happy!) that Camouflage Property Maintenance is willing to take on that role in exchange for advertising for 2025. I also understand that Camouflage's very generous offer is based on the contracts they receive from the Township on a yearly basis. When I inquired about the Township taking over in case Camouflage decides not to renew this role in the upcoming years, I was told that the Township would not be willing to commit to the lawn care.
“I understand that the Township wants us committee members to ensure the lawn maintenance; either by mowing the property ourselves or by raising funds on a yearly basis to pay a sub-contractor. However, I have shared many times, and will share this again: our committee members made it clear since our original proposal that we believe the lawn maintenance should be the responsibility of the Township of North Dundas.”
Maya confirmed that Cousineau provided the go-ahead for the committee to begin seeking donations to move the project along. However, the committee is fearful of going ahead with the project while the lawn maintenance is, on paper, still the responsibility of the committee, rather than the Township.
“I find it very difficult to believe that North Dundas is incapable to commit to such minimal funding to ensure lawn maintenance on their land (therefore, a Township owned park),” Maya added in her letter. “I discussed with Township workers that work in that department, and I was informed that contrary to the information we have received, they have the staff, the resources and the time to mow the lawn for the dog park.”
While still on hold, the dog park – which has been previously supported in comments by Mayor Tony Fraser – is now one step closer to becoming a reality.