​The City of Edmonton announced on Monday that 30 temporary off-leash dog parks will open in the springtime for residents and their four-legged friends to enjoy.

Michael Janz, city councilor for Papastew Ward, says that with the implementation of these dog parks, the city is hoping to foster community.

"We want Edmonton to be a welcoming place to live," he said. "We want (a place), wherever you are in Edmonton, that you can make friends, get to know your neighbors."

Dog parks can be more than just a place for dogs to roam free. They can also provide a space for their owners to interact with one another, to get outdoors and stay active.

Janz says that dog parks in the city often see "more traffic than rec centers and libraries," and that some residents utilize dog parks twice a day.

The dog parks will be opening across the city come springtime. Janz says there are "multiple ways" to have a dog park in your neighborhood if one doesn't open up near you when the snow melts.

For more information on dog parks, visit the City of Edmonton's website, call 311, or contact a local city councilor.

​​Listen to the full CFWE Interview below with Michael Janz: