HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.g. Dog Parks and Off Leash Areas
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Work Session: September 12, 2016
AGENDA ITEM: Dog Parks and Off Leash Areas AGENDA SECTION:
Discussion
PREPARED BY: Dan Schultz, Parks and Recreation
Director AGENDA NO. 2.g.
ATTACHMENTS: Aerial Photos, Informational Spreadsheet
and Dog Park Rules APPROVED BY: ddj
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None, discussion only.
ISSUE
One of the City Council Projects and Initiatives for their 2016-2017 goals is to open a dog park for small
dogs along walking corridors.
This topic of dog parks or off-leash areas was recently discussed with the Parks and Recreation
Commission. Staff shared information from other local communities as to what they offer. There is a
spreadsheet included in the packet that contains information on some other dog parks.
There was thorough discussion on several topics relating to dogs parks including location, size, rules, what
dogs will have access and if permits would be required.
The Commission recommended that four park locations be considered for dog parks or off leash dog
areas. The parks that they recommended we consider include Jaycee, Bloomfield, Twin Puddles and
Connemara. At Jaycee and Bloomfield parks, they recommended we allow dogs to be off leash inside the
existing hockey rinks with grass inside the boards. This is currently allowed in the City of Burnsville and
has seemed to work well based on feedback provided by staff from Burnsville Parks and Recreation. At
Connemara and Twin Puddles parks, the Commission recommended the addition of a fenced area for
dogs to be off-leash. At Connemara Park there is a low spot in the west edge of the park that the
Commission feels we should consider. At Twin Puddles Park the Commission recommended looking at
some open space north of Dodd Road for a possible location. Placing a dog park near the Connemara
water tower was discussed by the Commission and they felt there were some issues with that site. Being
right next to residential lots and not having any parking at the site were two issues that were concerns. The
Parks and Recreation Commission did feel that holding a neighborhood meeting might be in order once a
location(s) is picked for dogs to be off-leash.
The Commission does feel that there should not be a restriction on the size of the dogs that use the off-
leash dog areas. If issues come up with mixing different size dogs, the Commission felt we could address
the issues as needed.
The Commission did discuss some of the general rules of dog parks and staff did share what other local
dog parks are doing. Attached are the rules used in the City of Hastings. The Commission and staff both
feel that a permit should not be required to use the off-leash dog area but that all dogs must have proof of
licensing from the City.
BACKGROUND
A dog park is a park for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the
supervision of their owners. These parks have varying features, although they typically offer a 4' to 6' fence
and separate double-gated entry and exit points.
Off-leash dog areas, or dog parks, provide a community setting in which people can gather and socialize
and where they can observe the interaction of groups of dogs at play. Dog parks allow owners and their
dogs to spend time together and offer dogs a space for play and companionship with other dogs.
Some dog parks have separate play spaces for large and small dogs. Others have one large area for dogs of
all sizes. There is debate about this issue, as some argue that dogs should be segregated by size, while
others feel that dogs of all sizes can and should socialize together. In any case, dog owners must make sure
their dogs are well-socialized, and watch carefully so that they can intervene if their dog acts anti-socially
towards other dogs or humans.
SUMMARY
Staff would like for the City Council to discuss the topic of dog parks and provide direction to staff as to
how the City should move forward with this item.
Connemara Park
Twin Puddles Park
Jaycee Park
Bloomfield Park
Dog Park Information
Location of
Park
Acres Small or
large dogs
On-site amenities Use requirements
Northfield 1.1 All dogs Fenced
Grassy area
Licensed animals
South St. Paul 6.3 All dogs Fenced area
Sun shelters
Grassy area
Permit/Pass required
Hastings 2.5 for large
dogs
1.8 for small
dogs
All dogs Fenced area Licensed animals
Burnsville 7* All dogs Fenced area
Pond
Dog Wash Station
Wooded area
Mulch paths
Grassy area
Special Needs Dog area
Optional membership
pass
Dakota County 16 All dogs Wooded and grassy
areas
Loop trails
Permit/Pass is required
Eagan 6
(30yd by 50yd
space for small
dogs)
All dogs Grassy area
Wooded area
Permit/Pass is required
* The City of Burnsville also allows dogs to go off leash in outdoor hockey rinks located in their neighborhood
parks.
Rules of conduct
For the safety and enjoyment of all park visitors the following rules of conduct shall be
in effect at all times.
Use of the Rivertown Dog Park is at your own risk. Owners are responsible and liable for injury
or damage inflicted by their dogs.
• Park Hours: Daily 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Owners must immediately pick up their dog’s waste. Please dispose of the waste in the
provided receptacles.
• No more than three dogs are allowed per person and owners must carry a 6’ leash for each dog.
• Aggressive dogs are not permitted. If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, please leash it
immediately.
• Owners must keep unleashed dogs in sight, under voice control at all times.
• Dogs must always be leashed outside of fenced dog park area including the parking lot.
• Dogs must be licensed, vaccinated and be wearing up-to-date license tags at all times.
• Remove prong and/or spike collars while in the dog park.
• Female dogs in heat and puppies under the age of 4 months are not permitted.
• Unattended dogs are not allowed at any time.
• Do not allow dogs to dig; excessive barking is prohibited.
• Young children under the age of 16 must be supervised by a responsible adult. Younger
children must be close enough to hold hands with their responsible parent or supervising adult.
• Eating is not permitted in the park.
• Bicycles, skateboards and scooters are not permitted in the park.
PLEASE NOTE: If you live within Hastings City Limits, your dog must be licensed and be
wearing current tags to visit the park. Please see our Licenses page for more information. If you
live outside of Hastings city limits or in another community, at a minimum your dog must be
wearing current rabies vaccination tags.
Please report any hazards or safety concerns to the Hastings Parks & Recreation Department
651-480-6175.