TAMRMS#: B06
12.1
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Lion’s Park Water Station
Notice given by: Councillor Patrick
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PROPOSED MOTION(S):
recommendation
That Administration incorporate a water station that will serve both people and dogs into the Lions Park capital project.
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ADMINISTRATION’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE INTENT OF THE MOTION
That Administration is to include an outdoor drinking water fountain that serves both people and dogs within the redevelopment scope for Lions Park.
Costs for construction and operation would be incorporated within future Lions Park capital budgeting, as captured in the 10-year capital planning for RMR charter RECR-025 - Parks and Outdoor Amenities.
ADMINISTRATION’S RECOMMENDATION
That Council considers Alternative 1:
That Administration include drinking water access for people and dogs within the redevelopment scope for Lions Park.
PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to present a motion for which Councillor Patrick gave notice on January 23, 2026.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Park development and redevelopment is done in alignment with the City’s Services and Service Levels Inventory and the Parks and Open Space Standards and Guidelines. Park designs, including specific amenities (e.g., washrooms, ball diamonds), site furnishing (e.g., benches, waste receptacles), and layout, are determined with opportunities for community engagement. Provision of drinking water for people or dogs within parks and open spaces is not an established service level. Potable water is a site service requirement for City Parks.
While historically parks have not prioritized drinking water, more recent park developments have looked for opportunities to provide convenient human access to drinking water, often as part of a permanent washroom facility (e.g., Kingswood Park, Woodlands Park, Lacombe Lake Park).
While Lions Park is a City-level park, with a permanent washroom facility (built in the 1970’s), it does not have a fixture specific to providing drinking water. Redevelopment of Lions Park will include replacement of the washroom facility and will include human-centred drinking water access. Public access to drinking water has become a common service provision for many urban municipalities. It is often seen as a basic human service and critical component to addressing heat-related impacts of climate change.
Dog water fountains are found in other municipalities and are readily available as commercial products. Research and discussion within the regional dog management collaboration group have provided the following considerations around providing such a service:
• Specific consideration for direct-to-dog water fountains is appreciated by many dog owners.
• Public dog water fountains have the risk to transmit disease, including kennel cough, salmonella, giardia, E.coli, and leptospirosis.
• These amenities can require more frequent cleaning due to dog saliva, mud/dirt accumulation, etc.
• Because dog fountains are nearer to the ground, they are more prone to damage than human-centric fountains.
• The service is provided outdoors, with seasonal operation.
Some municipalities report reducing or removing dog water fountains due to the above, despite their apparent public popularity. Administration acknowledges the potential deterrents and would monitor the Lions Park access for lessons learned and to inform future decision-making.
IMPACTS OF MOTION
Financial:
The capital cost for a new water fountain that is accessible and serves both people and dogs is approximately $15,000. This would be added to project charter RECR-025 - Parks and Outdoor Amenities, as captured in the 10-year capital planning for RMR charter RECR-025 - Parks and Outdoor Amenities.
Ongoing operational and maintenance costs would be included as part of the operating budget tabled as part of capital charter.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
Minor operational impacts are expected to support cleaning, winterization, and reactive maintenance as required. These impacts are not anticipated to be substantial and can be managed within existing services and processes.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks:
Provision of potable water within parks and open spaces is not an established service level, with existing access provided inconsistently and with no provision of potable water specifically for dogs in any park within St. Albert. Provision of this service at Lions Park may increase expectations that such service is available at other sites.
As with most outdoor amenities, there is a risk of misuse, vandalism, or damage which would require disruption of service and funding for repair or replacement.
Cleanliness of dog water access and potential for disease transmission cannot be guaranteed, with the associated risk of public complaint or concern.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
ALTERNATIVES
If Council does not wish to support the proposed motion, Administration presents the following alternative for Council’s consideration.
Alternative 1:
That Administration include drinking water access for people and dogs within the redevelopment scope for Lions Park.
Under this alternative, Administration would continue to use existing practice, information from other jurisdictions, and public engagement to determine efficient and effective ways to provide human and dog access to water in Lions Park which may or may not be through a single fixture.
Financial:
Financial impacts would be dependent on the final design decision. All financial impacts would be captured in RECR-025 - Parks and Outdoor Amenities for deliberation in the 2027 budget process.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks:
Provision of potable water within parks and open spaces is not an established service level, with existing access provided inconsistently and with no provision of potable water specifically for dogs in any park within St. Albert. Provision of this service at Lions Park may increase expectations that such service is available at other sites.
As with most outdoor amenities, there is a risk of misuse, vandalism, or damage which would require disruption of service and funding for repair or replacement.
Cleanliness of dog water access and potential for disease transmission cannot be guaranteed, with the associated risk of public complaint or concern.
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Report Date: February 24, 2026
Author: Parks & Community Partnerships branch
Department: Recreation & Parks
Department Director: Daniele Podlubny
Managing Director: Dinu Alex
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher