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The Environment: Loss of Habitat, Loss of Green Space
- At Risk or Endangered Plant Life - Lady Slippers, Prairie Clover, Old Mans Beard
- Leopard Frogs and Painted Turtles
- Gophers, Rabbits, Squirrels, Chipmunks - Food Source and Ground Aeration
- Birds of Prey - Hawks, Eagles, Owls
- Native woodland and Tall grass birds
Thank you so much for getting back to us so quickly. I am very pleased that you will help us attain an ecologically sensitive natural lands assessment and designation for Little Mountain Park. I am attaching the City’s own protocol as promised. I will also keep you informed of our work to have the Province do the same. I appreciate that the City of Winnipeg supports the long term protection and maintenance of Little Mountain Park. We will keep you informed of developments.
Regards,
Karen Zoppa, Secretary
Little Mountain Park Conservancy Group, Inc.
Attachments areaPreview attachment esnl.pdfesnl.pdf
Standing Committee
March 10 2021
13:18 PM
Hello, my name is Lloyd Johnson. Thank you to the Standing Committee for taking the time to hear me today. I am here today to speak for Little Mountain Park.
Agenda – Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks – March 10, 2021 REPORTS Item No. 9 On-Leash and Off-Leash Areas at Little Mountain Park and La Barriere Park COMMUNITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On March 3, 2021, the Assiniboia Community Committee recommended to the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks that the Winnipeg Public Service be directed to report back on the following: 1. Ways to improve a distinct separation of the on-leash and off-leash areas of Little Mountain Park, including additional signage.
A quick background to Little Mountain.
Created in 1965 as a park, Little Mountain Park is located outside the City boundaries within the R.M. of Rosser. It is the site of the original City of Winnipeg foundation quarries owned by the Little Stoney Mountain Company (and later purchased by the City of Winnipeg), that were opened before the City was incorporated. Little Mountain Park was the original location to the unincorporated village of Mount Royal Manitoba where 200 people called the area home. Little Mountain is also home to many at risk plants such as the beautiful Ladies Slippers and our own Prairie Crocus, a healthy Leopard Frog population, painted turtles can be seen in the quarry, and a variety of animals. Also our environment plays host to a large a varied group of birds like owls, hawks and the occasional bald eagle has been seen. Our native hazelnut tree seeds have found a home in the Arbour Society seed catalogue farm located in the United States. As an interesting side note, we are also part of the Haunted Manitoba investigation project!
The pet owners of Little Mountain have been stewards of the park for years, working hand in hand with the City’s park personnel (with consideration for the City Adopt-a-park program). We have been working hard to create a safe and positive greenspace location were the people that use the park can grow as a community. We have enjoyed a positive relationship in matters of park maintenance, garbage clean-up by providing poop bags and home built bag holders that are located around the park. Also, large garbage bags have been placed to replace the removed for winter static bin locations and their removal to the garbage container located in the Farmers Road parking lot location. Also, the greening and maintaining of our park community the Hope Garden located in front of the Little Mountain Park club house. We have introduced two new bat houses to the park to encourage the population growth and worked on a bird house project with a special needs group to enhance the beauty of the environment.
The winding trails of Little Mountain Park have long provided a release from the tensions of the day for both people and their dogs. The health and wellness provided by a simple walk are immeasurable. There is a strong sense of community created by just walking and talking to other park users. The trails of Little Mountain also allow a ‘dog to be a dog’. Running, playing, chasing and being with other dogs is all part of the psychological make-up that goes into having a well behaved dog. We had a petition a while ago to make the entire Little Mountain Park a legally off leash park instead of just having one small area that is bordered the busy Klimpke Road and Farmers Road. The single usage of the park concept being presented represents an open space to walk, enjoy the natural environment at every time of the year.
Long have we, the dog owners, held to the belief in sharing our space with the people without dogs and tried to respect the rights of others to their space. For the most part this observance and respect has worked well with most people accepting the park as an off leash area. Unfortunately there has been one unfortunate incident that has been reported that could have avoided with the knowledge of how to approach and engage the situation.
The growth of the north housing section of Winnipeg has put increased pressure on our park as a green area. I have presented an idea to members of council that would improve the green space footprint of the area for consideration at a later date. If adopted the, half the park could be made legally off-leash and the new section would be made available for people with out dogs.
Our location is unique to the city. As mentioned before, we fall outside the City limits and as such are considered an ‘orphan park’. We do not have any official political representation on City Council, however Councillor Brian Mayes has kindly taken us under his wing and has been a great supporter of our park and our efforts to make it a better place.
My goal is to provide a positive experience for all. Little Mountain Park is a true wonder for the city of Winnipeg that other cities would be envious of.
From Karen Zoppa
I write to you as a member of the Little Mountain Park Pet Owners Association – the people who daily use LMP to exercise their dogs safely and pleasantly off-leash - because you have shown yourselves to be allies of LMP, since it is an “orphan” in the City of Winnipeg geography.
I see that the issue of signage regarding the separation of the leash/off-leash areas is on the council’s Standing Policy Committee agenda, at the behest of the Assiniboia Community Committee.
Instead of re-signing LMP according to the existing by-laws, which are not enforceable by the City in Rosser RM, I ask that you seriously consider our long standing request: that Little Mountain Park be recognized as an all off leash facility – in recognition of:
1. The demographic of the great majority of users – people who want to enjoy the Park with their dog’s off-leash;
2. The fact that the wooded trails provide protection from severe weather for exercising their off-leash dogs
3. The fact that for many people with minor mobility issues, for whom walking on icy sidewalks in their neighbourhood with their dogs is hazardous, the off-leash trails provide a safe site to exercise their dogs and themselves.
4. That instead of asserting by-laws that are – in practice – not observed, nor enforceable at this time, acknowledge the Park as an off-leash haven.
5. In light of the fact that there are 380 other parks for people who do not like dogs to use;
In light of the fact that an acknowledged all off leash LMP still welcomes all citizens;
in light of the fact that the most dedicated daily users also clean up the Park, educate dog owners and generally self-regulate themselves, please persuade council that Winnipeg deserves and can manage one all off-leash Park- and LMP is the best choice for one.
I look forward to your response.
Karen Zoppa
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