Devon residents lead effort to build new dog park shelter

DEVON -- Devon community members are leading efforts to construct a new gazebo at the local dog park. 

The three-acre park features a fully-fenced area for owners to bring their dogs for exercise and socialization, however, there are currently no structures available to provide park users and animals with shelter from rain, heat, and other adverse weather. At their regular council meeting on Oct. 26, 2026, Devon Council heard from community members regarding their plans to build a new gazebo at the popular local amenity.

"There have been several comments that have been from the regulars that attend there, like myself, that it just gets too hot," said Shanna Doherty. "There's just nowhere to go, because we're basically just in an open field." 

Discussions around the lack of shelter at the park first began back in April. The goal of residents is to construct an above-ground, cost-effective shelter at the Devon Dog Park for residents and pets. Once fully approved, the shelter will be 100 per cent fundraised through community initiatives. Doherty says they're now awaiting official documentation for their approval. In a post to social media, she mentioned that she will formally provide the amount of money that will be required upon receiving the documentation.

"It's going to have some impacts down the road," said Hussey. "There'll be some details like maintenance, how we're going to maintain it over the years, and if it gets to a state of disrepair, do we take it down and not replace it? We just have to have an understanding of what the future will look like, and we can work that out. As for going ahead and building it, we can get the permits going and get it constructed as soon as possible." 

The new shelter at the dog park is expected to be constructed this coming spring.