Re: "A new place to play," Wednesday, Jan. 4.

First, I have a dog, so I'm not anti-dog. When PoCo decided to create another offleash dog park in the downtown, they built it directly behind where I have lived for the past 18 years. What was once a quiet little green belt is now an area full of yappy and barking dogs.

The city did not even consult with any residents before proceeding; they just did it and then sent a flyer around. The reason: to keep [off-leash] dogs out of Gates Park. They should have built the off-leash park within Gates Park, as there is room, parking and there is activity going on there all the time anyway.

The same applies to Lions Park. Besides, they are both existing parks.

But no, in their wisdom, they built it directly behind 30 residences. Plus, there will be another condo complex going up on Wilson that will back on to this park, so they will get the noise also. I'm sure they'll be happy about that.

To the ignorant dog owners who let their dogs continuously bark while in there, think of people who live around there. There is a sign that reads "Be respectful to the neighbours" on the gates.

Plus, it is supposed to be a no-smoking area, but there are many people in there smoking, in a bark-mulch park no less.

I feel the city has made a mistake with this park and doesn't care that it affects the people who live by it.

John Winder Port Coquitlam