Project Background
Queensland Off Leash Dog Park, along Bow Bottom Trail near Canyon Meadows Drive has been identified for future development of a dry pond to prevent flooding along Bow Bottom Trail and nearby properties. During significant rainfall events, the roadway along Bow Bottom Trail towards Canyon Meadows Drive becomes impassable which creates a safety risk to drivers and people in the area.
A dry pond is primarily dry most of the time and has little impact on how the space is currently being used. Dry ponds are created to prevent the stormwater system from becoming overwhelmed and helps prevent water from backing up into basements or flooding into houses or businesses. It will also help to reduce street flooding which prevents damage to vehicles and other property. Dry ponds are equipped with multiple drains that help empty the water within 1-24 hours, depending on how much rain has fallen.
The existing berm will be replaced with a sound barrier wall and construction is expected to begin as early as 2026 for the duration of approximately six months. Details on construction impacts and the associated timelines will be communicated prior to the start of construction.
We want to notify regular users of the Queensland Off Leash Dog Park about the dry pond development and gather feedback on what they currently enjoy about the space and what additional features would improve the usage of the area. We are looking to include minor enhancements such as waste bins or benches into the design. We are also exploring the idea of replacing some of the lawn with natural grass (native species) which reduces our maintenance costs of mowing while retaining a natural-looking landscape. Our goal is to enhance the park’s natural environment while improving stormwater management.
The dry pond will reduce flooding during extreme rain events and provide temporary storage for stormwater during large rain events. Dry ponds rarely fill to its full capacity however, if it does, the pond should take a few hours to drain depending on the length of the storm.
The flooding in 2015 and 2016 prompted the City to develop a proactive plan to mitigate future flood risks associated with the increased frequency in extreme weather events.
The first phase of public engagement was open from November 22, 2024 to January 12, 2025. To learn about Phase 1 and what we heard from community members, check out the What We Heard Report.
Engagement Phase 2
In Phase 1, we asked residents how they use the green space and what improvements they would like. Most said it's primarily used for off-leash activities and recommended adding fencing, paths, and waste bins. Based on your input we have developed a new concept to reflect community needs.
