News & Updates from the park

A New Kilcona Park Improvement Project – Enjoy the Views in Comfort!

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Information /

Kilcona Park Dog Club is pleased to announce that 8 new park benches have just been installed along trails in the off-leash and on-leash areas. Taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather, park staff anchored the last five benches into the ground this morning. Thanks to the installation team and all of the other City of Winnipeg Parks East staff who were involved in the project!

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The new benches are the latest initiative of KPDC Stewardship Program’s to fund park improvements and enhance Kilcona’s green space. The club purchased the first 8 benches for Kilcona’s off-leash area in 2013/14.

Kilcona Park Dog Club and Parks East staff selected the sites for the new benches based on KPDC members’ recommendations and on the intrinsic character of each location – peaceful places with shade/shelter that offer nice views of the ponds, the wildlife, and in spots where people and dogs might like to rest and relax.

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Three benches are on the North Pond Trail, overlook the northwest pond; two are on the Forest Trail, offering views of the South Canal and the southwest pond. One is located on the berm near the Perfect Circle Flying Club, offering a different view the southwest pond and the beaver lodge. The last one, at the entrance to the paved paths, will be a convenient resting spot for people using the new drinking fountain and rinse station.

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The new benches were purchased at a cost of $16,000, including construction, delivery, installation and a 10-year maintenance agreement. The project was made possible through a public-private partnership involving KPDC’s own fundraising efforts; a generous donation from the club’s Platinum Sponsor, Birchwood Ford Parks; and the support of City Councillors Russ Wyatt, Jeff Browaty and Jason Schreyer through a Land Dedication Reserve Fund grant.

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The benches, constructed by the City of Winnipeg, are made of high density polyethylene. Consisting of 90% post-consumer waste, they are environmentally friendly. The benches are attractive and easy to maintain since they resist fading and do not need staining.

Kilcona Park Dog Cub, with the collaboration of generous sponsors like Birchwood Ford and Royal Lepage Prime, has donated $40,000 worth of furnishings to the park over the past four years.

A SPECIAL WOMAN AND A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Information /

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Information /

KILCONA PARK DOG CLUB’S 8TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Monday, November 28, 2016

Public Library at Henderson and McLeod

Doors open at 5:30pm and the meeting starts at 6:00 pm.

Join the conversation, identify priorities for your favorite dog park, have a say in setting the club’s direction for 2017, and elect the new Board of Directors.

Everyone with a 2017 membership is welcome to attend. Memberships may be purchased at the door.

Your Board will  present an update on recent discussions with the City on park improvements, and let members know what’s happening with our fundraising and lobbying efforts to bring clean fresh water into the park, and install a drinking fountain, dog rinse station and splash pad in the off-leash area.

 

KILCONA DOG LOVERS’ REWARDS –  the Early Bird Membership Contest draw we’ve all been waiting for,  50/50 draw, and lots of amazing door prizes!!

FOOD COURTESY OF KPDC PLATINUM SPONSOR – JD HOGGS!

AGENDA

• Introductions

• Adoption of Agenda

• Adoption of 2015 AGM Minutes

• President’s Annual Report

  • Highlights

    • How close are we to implementing the water features project?

      • Status report – drinking fountain, dog rinse station and splash pad.

    • What’s up with the water?

      • 2016 water quality test

    • What’s the scoop?

      • Waste bag dispenser pilot project evaluation

    • What’s new this year?

      • Purchase of 8 new park benches

    • What’s happening with the Kilcona Park Management Plan?

      • Status report

• How well did KPDC raise funds this year? What did we spend money on? What’s our bottom line?

  • Treasurer’s Annual Report

• How did KPDC members benefit and what are the plans to continue and expand those benefits?

  • Director of Marketing’s Annual Report

    • Five-year marketing plan – 2016 to 2021

    • 2016 sponsorship report, 2017 sponsorship plans.

    • Pet retailers

• Q and A – Ask Your Board

  • Open discussion and decisions on park management issues – lobbying for expansion of off-leash area boundaries, advocacy for water features project, etc.

• Proposed by-law amendments

• Proposed 2017 Goals and Objectives

• Consideration – specific motions that Members give notice of before meeting

• Election of 2015-16 Board of Directors

• Adjournment

Proposed Amendments to KPDC’s Bylaws

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Information /

Kilcona Park Dog Club’s Board of Directors is recommending several amendments to the club’s by-laws. The changes are highlighted in red. The Board will formally present the amendments to the membership for a vote at the November 28th, 2016 Annual General Meeting, along with the rationale for the changes.

proposed-kilcona-park-dog-club-by-law-changes-2016-agm

 

 

The Real Story – Kilcona’s Coyotes

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Information /

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON COYOTE SIGHTINGS AT KILCONA PARK

Over the weekend Winnipeg media reported that a Kilcona Park visitor was “swarmed” by a pack of coyotes.

Like most rumors, there’s a germ of truth in this story.

As the story went, the unidentified man and his dogs were in a very dangerous situation. The man was walking with his dogs after sunset when the coyotes allegedly began to circle him and his pets.

News reports indicated that the coyotes followed the man and his dogs from the park to their vehicle and that the coyotes continued to follow the vehicle as it left the park. Some authorities even speculated that the animals could be “coywolves” – despite fact that no coywolf populations have been identified in Manitoba.

Today the dog owner confirmed to authorities that these reports were inaccurate.

Authorities conclude that the coyote’s behavior was not at all predatory and the incident cannot in any way be described as “swarming”.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IS QUITE A DIFFERENT STORY.

THE DOGS – TWO IRISH SETTERS  AND THE COYOTES INTRODUCED THEMSELVES WITH ALL THE USUAL BUTT-SNIFFING BEHAVIOR THAT WE SEE AT THE DOG PARK EVERY DAY.

Then they spent some time PLAYING TOGETHER.

THE COYOTES DID NOT FOLLOW THE VEHICLE AS IT LEFT THE PARK.

MB CONSERVATION HAS NO PLANS TO TRAP OR DESTROY KILCONA’S COYOTES.

MB Conservation reminds us that every major city in North America, including Winnipeg, hosts a large urban coyote population.

When coyotes move into the city, most blend seamlessly into the urban environment. Wary of people, they stick to the edges of developed areas, remaining largely unseen during the day.

Studies show that the most successful coyotes are nocturnal—an adaptation they’ve developed to avoid humans. Most rely neither on family pets nor garbage for food. Instead, they stick to rodents, berries and other fruit, deer, and rabbits.

 

Coyotes have learned how to co-exist with us.  Now it’s up to us to do our part.

There are three types of behaviors that people may mistake for aggression in coyotes: following, staring and howling and yipping.

1. Following: Coyotes are highly intelligent, curious creatures, very much like our own dogs. It’s not uncommon for them to follow hikers, joggers, or cyclists, particularly if they have a den nearby. This behavior is curiosity, not aggression.

1. Staring: Perhaps the most intimidating thing a wild animal can do is simply stare. Those big eyes watching you can seem very frightening. It isn’t about aggression; however, it’s about caution. You might be near a den site, a food source, or even have just startled the coyote. Most of the time, the coyote is watching you because you’re a big, frightening animal, and they don’t know what you’ll do.

1. Howling and yipping: The cacophony at night is amazing to hear, and it’s also frequently misunderstood. The scientific explanation is quite simple. What you’re hearing is the family’s GPS. Coyotes use howls and yips to let other family members know where they are, and to let other coyote families know that this is their territory.

Coyotes want what all of us want: a safe place to raise their young and provide for their families.

Manitoba Conservation Winnipeg District Supervisor, Joe Johannesson has provided KPDC  with a link to two important resources to help us all understand Kilcona’s dog-like neighbours  – a short documentary, “The Rise of the Urban Coyote” and a link to the City of Toronto website, “Wildlife in the City: Coyotes”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldtJjXhN8rI&feature=youtu.be

http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=559b83cf89870410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=b220133adc1c1410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD