Since 1997, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»park board has worked to provide dog owners with off-leash areas while respecting other park users rights not to be charged at or drooled on by unfamiliar canines. Yet 14 years and 35 off-leash locations later, complaints from both sides continue to pour in.
We recognize that what were doing isnt working, says board chair Aaron Jasper. Its been a mish-mash of approaches that I think confuses everybody.
The citys piecemeal approach has left some off-leash areas accessible all day while others have staggered hours. And while a handful of off-leash areas are safely fenced off, Jasper says others are simply indicated by boundary lines on a map.
The resulting confusion and conflict, particularly involving parents frightened for their young childrens safety, clutters Jaspers email account more than any other parks-related issue. Thats why the board has earmarked about $300,000 of its capital plan for a fresh approach.
East Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»resident Ken Allard, who takes his two young daughters to Kingscrest Park on Knight Street once a week, thinks more fencing is a good place to start.
Though Allard says hes had few problems with off-leash dogs (I have had a medium-sized poodle jump up on my daughter and knock her over and maker her cry, he says), he believes the invisible borders at Kingscrest are pointless.
Theres a kids play area with their swings, their climbing area, and it literally borders the off-leash area. Dogs continually run around and make their way onto the wood chips, Allard said. I wouldnt let my daughter wander around with a hotdog in her hand.
Fencing is one potential fix the board will consider, according to a set of draft principles made public this month that indicate a focus on more physical divisions as well as a strategic reassessment of off-leash locations. When the areas were created, there wasnt really a sound methodology, Jasper said. There was no system-wide analysis asking, Where is the need? Where are the gaps?
For separating park areas, Jasper says fences which could cost around $30,000 each arent the only options. Staff will be considering which parks have natural topography such as landscapes, shrubs or bushes that could serve as cost-effective barriers between on-leash and off-leash areas.
Still, fencing may not tame dog owners who brazenly flout the rules. Enforcement falls under the purview of the citys animal control officers, but the board hopes to appeal to peoples better natures beginning with improved signage at problem parks that is expected to start showing up in August.
The park boards strategy is still being determined, but is likely to begin in 2012 by targeting conflict hot-spots in the most densely populated areas of the city where yards and green space are in short supply. The board will be gathering public feedback on its draft principles throughout the summer before finalizing a report early next year.
Peoples enjoyment of their green space is a very serious issue, Jasper said. If we can come up with a solution thats equitable to all groups, I would be very proud of that.
Andrew Weichel
