During Tuesday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Director of Community Services Stephanie Clark shared some updates with town council about solutions to ongoing issues in various community spaces. 

In order to mitigate the amount of mess left by geese defecating in public places, Community Services has obtained “two products that we’ll be securing to do a test [run] with; that will be happening in the next few weeks.” 

Director Clark also shared that the town recently installed a life ring at Murphy Park, which was subsequently stolen. “We do have the individuals on camera, and that information has been reported to the police.” She noted that the town will be replacing the life ring, and that the thieves are potentially endangering someone’s life by removing it. The town will also be installing signage alerting passersby that the area is under video surveillance.

As well, Clark also mentioned tensions at the Smiths Falls Civitan Memorial Park baseball field and the Gleeson off-leash dog park, where balls from games fly over the baseball fence and into the park or onto vehicles parked along the fenceline. 

Clark requested any ball field and dog park users to report any incidents of baseballs entering the dog park “so we can provide more targeted interventions.” 

Specifically, Clark asked, “If you witness any balls going into the dog park from the ball field, please let us know and provide as much information as possible.”  

The town is planning on “planting some trees there, which would be a long-term solution, as well as establishing signage warning folks that this is a potential that may happen.”

Councilor Jay Brennan, who chaired the meeting, thanked Clark for these solutions. “Signage is a great idea so that at least users of the park will know they shouldn’t be parking along the fenceline; there’s ample parking over toward the curling club.”  

Brennan also noted that this year will mark the 10th anniversary of the dog park.

Article by Janelle Labelle