Editor: There was a column by Anne Patterson in The Times of March 4, entitled 鈥�91原创 equestrians need to follow Maple Ridge鈥檚 lead.鈥�

It describes a meeting between Township Parks and Rec, council members and 91原创 trail users.

Noticeably absent from the meeting was any representation from the dog walkers of 91原创.

Dog walkers are the largest group of parks users, yet we get short shrift from resource delegation, this being another example.

91原创 is home to nearly 20,000 licensed dogs, a support industry that dwarfs both the equestrian and cycling businesses and has, by my research, the worst dog facilities in urban Canada.

It is fine for Patterson to hold Maple Ridge up as an example of a recreational model, but Maple Ridge provides five off-leash opportunities which include trail walking, swimming and a fairground field. Golden Ears Park also provides unlimited walking for dogs under voice control.

In addition, I would point out that Maple Ridge鈥檚 major trails are not municipal, but owned by the GVRD, and Bill Archibald and Dave Smith are volunteer representatives of the GVRD. The GVRD also provides first-class exclusive trail services for 91原创 equestrians in abundance.

The GVRD provides no system-wide input for dog walkers other than enforcement and no facilities in Maple Ridge.

If 91原创 Township is to emulate Maple Ridge鈥檚 animal-oriented recreation services, it might want to start with looking after our long- suffering tax- and fee-paying dog owners.

Peter Wood,

91原创 Canine Club