HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b. Off Leash Areas and Dog Parks
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting: August 23, 2021
AGENDA ITEM: Off Leash Areas and Dog Park AGENDA SECTION:
Unfinished Business
PREPARED BY: Dan Schultz, Parks & Recreation Director AGENDA NO.
6 b.
ATTACHMENTS: None APPROVED BY: dls
RECOMMENDED ACTION: To be discussed at the meeting.
ISSUE
One topic that is present in the City Council goals is to increase the areas in Rosemount where dogs can be
off leash. Currently dogs are allowed on a seasonal basis in the hockey rinks with boards that have a grass
surface. These rinks are located at Jaycee and Bloomfield Parks. Fencing is added each spring to fully
enclose the rinks. Another nearby option for dog owners is the dog park that is operated by Dakota
County that is located on Blaine Avenue which is called Dakota Woods Dog Park.
The Parks and Recreation Commission recently discussed the topic of dog parks and started to develop a
list of best practices for the development of off leash areas for dogs. Staff has also had several discussions
with other local communities about what they see as best practices when it comes to the development of
an off leash area for dogs. Most cities feel that having a large secured space for the dogs is the first goal to
meet. Other desires of off leash areas include convenient access to parking, a variety natural sources on the
site and if possible, at some sites the separation of dogs by size or weight. Most nearby communities that
have dog parks have developed them as destination locations, meaning most (not all) people coming to the
park must travel by car to get the park. These cities include Eagan, Lakeville, Burnsville and Hastings.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the information that the Commission has discussed and the feedback that we have received from
other communities, staff is recommending the following:
• Identify a large site in the northeast area of town for an off lash dog park.
• Identify an area near the Amber Fields Development for an off leash dog park (possibly park
site G).
• Identify two off leash dog run areas in existing parks (possibly Biscayne Park, Twin Puddles
Park, or Schwarz Pond Park).