BLOOMINGDALE — Snyder's Flats may not be going to the dogs after all.

The Grand River Conservation Authority told the public at an information session on Monday evening that a dog park is not recommended for the site despite the fact that many people have used it as an unofficial off-leash dog park for years.

"The GRCA has done quite a bit of research of best practices," said Lisa Stucco, the communications manager for the conservation authority.

A draft version of the conservation authority's plan included ecological and operational criteria for selecting future dog park sites on conservation lands, but Snyder's Flats will most likely not be one of them.

Many of the two dozen residents at Monday's information session were not happy.

"They call us all here thinking it's going to be leash-free," said June Drake. She has walked her dogs, on- and off-leash, at Snyder's Flats for more than 20 years.

The conservation authority started to step up enforcement at Snyder's Flats last summer after complaints from people who felt threatened by free-running pooches.

"We've heard from both sides," Stucco said.

"We've heard from people who want to have their dogs off-leash … and we have also heard from people who are against it."

News of the crackdown enraged frequent visitors to the site and even sparked an online petition that gathered close to 300 signatures last summer.

The conservation authority announced they would issue $95 fines to owners whose pets were off-leash, but that ticketing push was short-lived.

Stucco said staff has been issuing warnings to owners of off-leash dogs instead of handing out tickets.

"We haven't been issuing fines since the blitz last summer," she added.

Complaints aren't the only reason Snyder's Flats isn't deemed suitable for off-leash dogs.

The proposed plan said that environmentally sensitive areas, aquatic environments such ponds or wetlands, and areas where habitat restoration is taking place or being planned are just a few examples of sites where off-leash dog parks will not be considered.

This already rules out Snyder's Flats, a conservation area with large restoration segments whose goal for the past several decades has been to reconnect the river and floodplain to maintain wildlife habitats.

Additional cleanup, maintenance and risks to the area's environmental health were also cited as concerns.

Dog-walkers upset with the recommendations presented to them said they clean up after their pooches as well as other users of the area.

"We keep the conservation authority clean ... the non-dog-walkers are the ones causing problems," said Karen Gee.

"Why even allow people or dogs in the area?" asked Chris Chahatwal.

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These dog owners said they will continue letting their pets roam free at Snyder's Flats regardless of what the conservation authority decides.

A final decision will be made when the master plan is presented to the board on Dec. 18.

The conservation authority will collect feedback on their website at www.grandriver.ca until Nov. 30.

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