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Waterioo woman wins fight for access to RIM Park trails n a modern battle of David and IGoliath. a daughter‘s pleas have won her father the right to enjoy his final years. Katherine Walsh said few things bring her 79â€"yearâ€"old father as much joy as strolling along the Walâ€" ter Bean Trail at RIM Park. "Due to the attitude by some big homeowners and yes big taxpayers, my father is being denied access to the community walking trail," Walsh told Waterloo council Monâ€" day night. "Community should mean all. She said they‘ve been regular trail users since the park opened last fall. "My.father‘s needs are not being considered." However, No Parking signs were recently erected along Grand River Drive, at the entrance to the trail, after residents complained too many cars were parking on their street. Walsh said it‘s difficult for her father, who suffers from Parkinson‘s and Alzheimer‘s, to access the trail from other entrances, as most are uphill. Walsh also said she and her father were the recent victims of a verbal tirade from a nearby homeâ€" owner, who took exception to their car being parked in front of his house. "He said, ‘Get that car and that old man away from my house. We don‘t pay big taxes to have you park in front of (our) homes.‘ I wasn‘t even in front of his home. "The many times we used the trail, there was never more than a couple of cars parked in the culâ€"deâ€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE By Anorea Bamey Chronicle Staff Continued on page 2 Dogerioo has its day Two years of digging has paid off for the Dogerloo crew. Waterloo council gave the local volunteer organization the green light Monday night to set up the city‘s first leashâ€"free dog park at Bechtel Park. "I‘m almost speechless," said Ellie Ross, coâ€"president of Dogerâ€" loo â€"Waterloo Region. _ "It‘s been two years of strugâ€" gling initially to deal with the pubâ€" lic‘s reaction, then getting a comâ€" mittee group, then getting counâ€" cil‘s attention, and then losing council‘s attention to the RIM Park issue. The fenced area will be located on 2.9 acres of land near the park‘s southâ€"west corner, bordering the forest. "But now the ball‘s been picked up, and we‘re not going to let anyâ€" body drop it." WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2002 + WATERLOO, ONTARIO Fourâ€"yearâ€"old Andrea Hundt spent most of Sunday afternoon motoring around Moses Springer pool, on her water zebra. The pool is open daily through the summer. For schedule information, call 885â€"4530. By Anorea Baitey Chronicle Staff Serving your community since 1856 Ross believes the park will help alleviate congestion at the region‘s only current leashâ€"free park, locatâ€" ed at the Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Full steam ahead Humane Society. City staff originally proposed the site to be located on 2.3 acres of land at the southâ€"east corner. "We hope this will open the door to several more leashâ€"free parks in the region." But, strong opposition from Bridge Street residents and Dogerâ€" loo members encouraged the city to look for a more suitable option. Ross said the Dogerloo group would have preferred a site on the opposite side of the park, closer to the forested area near the Expressâ€" â€" Ellie Ross Dogerloc committee $1 INCLUDING GST However, the Ministry of Naturâ€" al Resources prohibited developâ€" ment of the area, given the fact a rare Golden Eagle lives in that part of the park. "Although the site is still smallâ€" er than what we hoped for, it shows the community support is behind us," Ross said. "And we hope this will open the door to several more leashâ€"free parks in the region." â€" â€" But Ross said her group will make the best of the chosen site. Phillippe Chevalier, who spoke on behalf of residents whose homes border the park, confirmed the city addressed most of their major concerns. "The homeowners agree this is acceptable," he said. 8 The only other outstanding issues, he said, involve increased traffic flow through the park, and ensuring the leashâ€"free area is kept clean. Continued on page 2 ANDREA BAILEY PHOTO Local songwriter Jeff Poolton releases sophomore CD. lcanada«com| Viewpoint You Said It Cassandra Perrault won‘t let epilepsy hold her back. Sports Saab of Kitchener Waterloo 663 Victoria St. N. 744â€"5811 WHAT‘S INSIDE Page 10 Page 14 25