Meet Connie Buchan
About Connie
Connie Buchan is the founder of the Off-Leash Dog Park User Group and the person who gave OLDPUG its first strong public voice.
For many years, Connie was effectively a one-woman organization. She built OLDPUG’s Facebook community, kept Regina dog park users informed, brought their concerns forward and developed a working relationship with the City of Regina at a time when there was no larger Executive Committee or Council to share the load.
Connie became a familiar and persistent voice at City Hall, advocating for more permanent, fenced off-leash parks, better consultation with park users and dog park options suited to different dogs, families and neighbourhoods. Her work helped move dog parks from an afterthought to a recognized part of Regina’s recreation planning.
Her advocacy was particularly important in the redevelopment of the former Regent Par 3 Golf Course. A dog park was not included in the City’s original plan, but Connie and other community advocates pushed for it—and the completed Māmowimīwēyitamōwin Park now includes both an all-dog area and a separate small-dog space.
As OLDPUG grew, Connie spent months encouraging others to join her, helping establish a broader leadership structure so that the organization would no longer depend on one person. She now serves as Chair Emerita and Senior Advisor, providing history, perspective and guidance while gradually stepping back from the workload she carried for so many years.
Affectionately known within OLDPUG as its Grandmother, Connie has said she will wear that badge with pride.
Her persistence, hard work and willingness to keep showing up helped build the organization OLDPUG has become. There is no question that Regina’s dog park community—and OLDPUG itself—would not be where it is today without her.