Ebbtide Park — which has yet to officially open, staff pointed out — will now be known as Jane Bowers Dog Park, after the late bylaw officer who was widely known for her work and advocacy with dogs.
Councillors voted unanimously on the naming of the new dog park (on Ebbtide Street). Council waived the choice to require a petition of support from the park’s neighbours, because of the existing petition. In their report, staff presented more than 75 signatures on a petition in support of using Jane Bowers’s name. Although Coun. Matt McLean noted there were some dissenting opinions that the park should have an Indigenous name, Coun. Eric Scott said he thinks they’ve heard enough from the community, and made the motion.
In Bowers’s life, she worked for Canada Customs and the RCMP. In her time on the Coast included serving as a bylaw enforcement officer for the District, starting Renaissance Rescue, writing a column for Coast Reporter, as well as many dog-related accreditations.
Parks manager Jayme Anderson told council members the lack of a name would not affect the use of the space, but it would be “nice to keep this moving.”
Once the recommendation was adopted, Siegers said, “Alright, go make your sign.”
As for the renaming of the Sandpiper Road right of way to Brackett Road, councillors passed all three readings.
