East-end Hamilton dog park closed for soil testing

The Birch Avenue Leash-Free Dog Park in Hamilton is closed while testing takes place to determine the safety of the soil for dogs.

Hamilton city council released a statement Friday about the results of a test on the park’s soil completed in January. The test revealed that the soil at the park north of Barton Street East does not meet requirements set by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

The test was conducted after a complaint was received from a resident in the area who was concerned with the soil’s impact on the health of the dogs who use it. The resident was said to believe the soil condition was negatively affecting the health of dogs, pointing to illness and death.

A review of the results was performed to determine the soil’s risk to humans. This established that the park was of no health risk to people. However, it could not conclude the impacts the soil has on a dog’s health.

The site where the park sits was formerly used for the disposal of brick, rubble and concrete.

It is not clear when the park is expected to reopen, or if it will. The City of Hamilton encourages residents to visit other nearby parks such as the Ward 2 Dog Park on Wellington Street North and the Rail Trail Dog Park on Ferguson Avenue South.

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