If you’d like to walk your dog or ride your bike, you’ll still have to pay attention to the signs.

At the regular meeting of City Council last night, councillors voted down a motion to allow cyclists and dog walkers access to the park. 

“I walk a lot in the City of Moose Jaw,” said Coun. Heather Eby, who voted against the motion. “Wakamow, paths, downtown, and there is not a day that I walk that I do not come across dog poop somewhere. I don’t want to sit on the grass having a picnic where a dog peed five minutes ago. We are fortunate that we have a great trail system in this city, lots of paths, good places for cyclists and dog walkers to go.”

Coun. Eby also suggested that City Council address the use of illicit drugs in the park, stating that currently there are “bigger issues” in Crescent Park.

“I’m less concerned about dogs and bikes in Crescent Park and more concerned about the drugs. If there’s not people there, its because they’re afraid to go there now because of the activities that are happening there, and not just at night.”

Coun. Brian Swanson, Coun. Scott McMann, as well as Mayor Fraser Tolmie, joined Coun. Eby in her vote against the motion.

In a presentation that included the comparison of Crescent Park to parks seven other Saskatchewan municipalities, Coun. Warren pointed out that every one of those municipalities allows both dogs and bikes in all parks. 

"These communities have commented that bikes, dogs, and pedestrians are successfully sharing the parks, due to education, signage, on-leash requirements, access to dog bag dispensers, and access to garbage cans.

Coun. Dawn Luhning stated her support of the motion, pointing out that even Central Park in New York City allows both bikes and dogs. 

“You go to other cities, Central Park, there’s dogs, there’s bicycles, there’s all kinds of people using the park in the ways they would like to enjoy that area,” said Coun. Luhning. 

Coun. Crystal Froese made the point of saying that she doesn’t think Crescent park has the infrastructure to support bicycle riding. 

“I don’t think the park is ready, infrastructure-wise for bicycles,” said Coun. Froese, however, she did state her support to allow dogs. 

Under Bylaw 4495, the Dog Bylaw, section 17 states that “if a dog defecates on any public or private property other than the property of its owner, the owner or keeper shall cause such defecation to be removed immediately,” however there is no fine amount specified for owners found in violation. 

There is currently no bylaw restricting cyclists from Crescent Park.