Coldstream's Pumphouse Beach will be a dog-friendly place for at least a year, and possibly much longer depending on how things go. 

Coldstream council signed off Monday, May 26 on a one-year pilot to operate the small beach on Kalamalka Lake as an off-leash dog park. 

Dogs will be welcome at the beach in less than three weeks as the pilot starts June 14. It will end June 14, 2026, at which time it will be re-evaluated. 

"The District requests that dog owners attending the beach practice good citizenship by using the on-site waste disposal, parking as indicated by signage, and being respectful of other beach users," the district said in a release Tuesday. 

Coldstream mayor Ruth Hoyte told The Morning Star that the district will be monitoring complaints, comments and conflicts over the next year before deciding whether to keep the beach as a dog park long-term. 

Hoyte said council's discussion on Monday centred on the limited amount of parking in the area. 

"There is very little parking in the area and very much a concern for local residents. Our desire is that the surrounding neighbourhood responsible dog owners will walk their pooches for a swim, rather than drive," Hoyte said in an email. 

"I have heard from residents in favour and against, which is why council moved forward with trying it out first."

Starting the pilot project on June 14 allows time for the district to provide bins and dog bags at the beach, Hoyte said. 

Residents have expressed interest in establishing a dog beach at Pumphouse for several years, according to a report to council. 

"With increasingly hot summers, providing a safe space for dogs to cool off and exercise supports animal welfare and community quality of life," the report states. "Pumphouse Beach has been identified as a suitable location due to its central position and lower usage compared to the larger Kal Beach to the east."

The setup costs are minimal, with the installation of a bear-proof garbage bin and a dog bag dispenser coming in at an estimated $2,600 (both items are already in the district's inventory). New signage will cost an estimated $400. 

The beach is not fully accessible for people with mobility issues due to steep driveway access, according to the report. 

The report also highlights that there is potential for disputes between dog owners and other beach-goers, and says "clear rules, signage, and reporting channels will be emphasized."