Pawing for more Cash - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FlamesKickAss · 12-02-2009, 03:35 PM

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alber...-12004256.html

Quote:

They may also be required to pay a fee for using parks to let their dogs roam free.

I see this leading to more people avoiding the park and allowing their dogs to run off leash in other areas. Mind you $25/yr isnt too bad, but how much is it going to cost to police this and make sure everyone that is usuing has paid.

Knalus · 12-02-2009, 03:37 PM

either the administration costs would be a major destination for the $25/yr, or it will be unenforceable, which causes it's own crappy set of problems.

KTrain · 12-02-2009, 03:41 PM

I thought we'd already decided to ban all dogs so this shouldn't be an issue. I miss DESS.

flip · 12-02-2009, 03:42 PM

Weird situation.

Don't build the new off leash parks and people will be angry. Do build the off leash parks and charge people to use them and they will be angry.

If dog owners don't want to pay for it then why is the city building 15 new off leash areas? The article didn't say that there was any huge public outcry for more off leash areas or anything.

Simple solution. Want dog parks, then taxes or fees required. Want dog parks but don't want to pay for them in some way, then take your dog out to the country where you can let them off leash. Why would the city spend $$ to make 15 new off leash parks and then charge for it? Why not just build zero and then it is free like it is now?

FanIn80 · 12-02-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTrain

I thought we'd already decided to ban all dogs so this shouldn't be an issue. I miss DESS.

Was this before or after we shot all the bears?

flip · 12-02-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Was this before or after we shot all the bears?

Why not get the bears to kill all the dogs? Then we only have to worry about the bears after.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 12-02-2009, 04:04 PM

I don't like the idea of forcing people to pay for dog parks (I don't have a dog).
For a lot of people taking their dog to the park is a great form of recreation, and I don't think the city should be charging people to use greenspace for leisure activities.

If they are going to charge people to use dog parks, why not start charging people to ride mountain bikes in Nose Hill, or for that matter, to use the bike paths.

There are several diffrent types of greenspaces in Calgary that are used by varying numbers of people. To single out one specific type of communal space and to charge users is ridiculous.

I mean, what if I'm walking my dog on a leash and I cut across an off leash park, but haven't paid the fee. Will I get a ticket if I don't go around the park?

HPLovecraft · 12-02-2009, 04:07 PM

Greenspace in a city should be free.

macker · 12-02-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Greenspace in a city should be free.

What about BROWN space?

REDVAN · 12-02-2009, 04:16 PM

I think that the next time they "upgrade" or add a new children's park, they should then charge all the kids to use it.

Or maybe they should charge people who use crosswalks for the paint required to mark them.

What's next Bronco?

HPLovecraft · 12-02-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I think that the next time they "upgrade" or add a new children's park, they should then charge all the kids to use it.

Or maybe they should charge people who use crosswalks for the paint required to mark them.

What's next Bronco?

I agree. I think they should have coin slots in new children's slides. You put in 25 cents, the spikes go down.

Rerun · 12-02-2009, 04:24 PM

Next thing you know... they'll want start charging people who want to use the City of Calgary public golf courses....

.... oh wait...

The Ditch · 12-02-2009, 04:30 PM

How would they enforce this? I wonder if Nose Hill would be considered in this as there are off leash areas there, really the only place I take my dogs.

JustAnotherGuy · 12-02-2009, 05:49 PM

I already pay $31 a year to register my dog. Where does all that money go?

Why don't they be more deligent and fine the people who don't pick up after their animals? That should raise some good coin.

Kybosh · 12-02-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

I already pay $31 a year to register my dog. Where does all that money go?

Why don't they be more deligent and fine the people who don't pick up after their animals? That should raise some good coin.

Exactly, I'll be pissed if I have to pay extra to use a dog park when I already pay money to register my dog. I honestly have no idea where that dog license money goes.

4X4 · 12-02-2009, 06:10 PM

It's a good idea, but we have to make sure there's really good value being delivered for the money," Bruce said of the fee, which could be about $25 a year.

So WTF does that mean? Cost of registration goes up $25/year? What if I don't use dog parks?
Or does it mean that the cost of parking at the dog park is going to be 10 cents per visit, because I go every day?
Every fracking year they're trying to come up with new ways to tax. Good old, dependable Calgary.

Dion · 12-02-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rerun

Next thing you know... they'll want start charging people who want to use the City of Calgary public golf courses....

.... oh wait...

Growing up we used Maple Ridge golf course for our tobogganing in the winter. I'm surprised the city doesn't charge users now

Fire · 12-02-2009, 06:54 PM

I pay to use public golf courses why shouldn't dog owners help pay for the upkeep of dog parks?

I don't have a problem with user fees if it means less taxes overall. People who use the city services (transit, parks, sport facilities) should be responsible for the majority of the cost. I don't want to pay for people to walk their muts on off-leash areas.

4X4 · 12-02-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire

I pay to use public golf courses why shouldn't dog owners help pay for the upkeep of dog parks?

I don't have a problem with user fees if it means less taxes overall. People who use the city services (transit, parks, sport facilities) should be responsible for the majority of the cost. I don't want to pay for people to walk their muts on off-leash areas.

I think a golf course is completely different than a dog park. If you're gonna compare dog parks to something, try playgrounds and other parks. I don't see a toll booth at Fish Creek or Nose Hill. Nor at the kiddie park on the corner. My taxes pay to cut the grass at the kiddie park and maintain the equipment, but I have no kids.

4X4 · 12-02-2009, 07:02 PM

I meant to elaborate on golf courses... A golf course's maintenance and operation costs has got to be at least an order of magnitude higher than a dog park or a kiddie park. Manicured fairways and greens, carts, clubhouse, employees, hell, phone lines and computers... Not even close to the same as a big open area that may get it's grass cut a couple times and a pesticide spraying, and a couple garbage cans to empty.