Although there was no promise of funding, proponents of an off-leash dog park in Orangeville got a boost when Orangeville Council gave the project approval in principle at its last public meeting.

The committee working toward establishment of the park held a meeting at the Alder Street Recreational Centre last week and one point of consternation was how to raise funds if they didn’t have actual approval to construct the facility.

In a report to council, Parks and Recreation director Sonja Pritchard wrote: “In order to facilitate their efforts and allow the necessary fundraising to proceed, it would be advantageous for a dog park project to be approved in principle.

“This would allow the town to accept donations in trust. In the event the project does not proceed, funds would be returned to the donors. If final approval is received, funds would be put toward the project and tax receipts issued.”

Project manager Mary Shields says there are several reasons for a fencedin, off-leash dog park, foremost being that dogs are social creatures and such a park allows them more interaction with each other.

“As well, dogs need to run,” she explained. “It doesn’t give them good exercise to be walking them on a leash, all the time.”