2001-02-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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17 Ms. Alison Rice, 806 Druid Avenue, said that until dog owners started going to Riverview Park she never felt safe there. Ms. Rice said she thinks a compromise can be reached, perhaps by designating part of the trail for leashed dogs or providing a dog exercise area. Ms. Rice said that she submitted a petition to Council requesting lights at Riverview Park and Azalea Park, and said that over 84% of those signing the petition were City residents. Ms. Rice expressed concern that remarks made by citizens were misrepresented by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Chair of the Board is a proponent ora leash law. Ms. Morgan Freeman, 104 Rougemont Avenue, said she works with an organization that rehabilitates dogs and Azalea Park is used to socialize dogs. Ms. Freeman said that until dog owners started to use the Park she felt it was unsafe. Ms. Freeman recommended that an enclosed area be set aside for dogs at Riverview Park. REPORT: DOGS IN PARKS Mr. Caravati said this is the first of what will likely be several discussions on the issue of dogs, and noted that Council will hold at least one public hearing on the issue in the future. Mr. O'Connell said that the issue of dogs in the parks has been debated by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and concern has been expressed in the community. Mr. O'Connell said the questions include: should there be additional regulations regarding dogs in parks and on school grounds (which the School Board has requested); should dog runs be installed; and should lights be added to the parks. Mx. Peter Mclntosh, Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, said that the Board has been discussing this issue over the last six to eight months and has discussed options, not recommendations. Mr. Mclntosh said the Board views this as an opportunity to work on a compromise between City residents on both sides of this issue. The possibility of extending the dog run and adding lights at Azalea Park is being explored. Several locations at Riverview Park are being considered for a dog run, and the Board is also considering placing signs at the beginning of the trail notifying people of the private property status of the trail. Dog runs at other locations have been discussed, such as in front of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority near Franklin Street, a portion of !and on Moore's Creek, and Darden Towe Park. Mr. Mclntosh said the Board believes that an extensive dog park would be a valuable community resource, but the City is limited by lack of land, therefore the City should work closely with Albemarle County on this issue, iVh-. Mclntosh said the Board feels that a leash law should become in effect only after funding for dog exercise areas is approved. Mr. Mclntosh said that another issue of concern to the Board is dog waste, but noted that dog owners have taken the lead in trying remedy this problem. Mr. Caravati asked -what next step the Board is planning to take, and Mr. McIntosh said the Board is looking for direction from Council. Responding to a question from Ms. Richards, Mr. Mclntosh said the Board has studied dog parks in other areas. Ms. Judith Mueller, Director of Public Works, said that dog waste is a concern at playgrounds and school grounds. She said that many people do not know that much of the Greenbelt Trail is private property. Ms. Mueller said that a major dog run cannot be created at Riverview without compromising the rest of the Park and she feels irresponsible dog owners are causing the problems. Ms. Mueller said that preliminary cost figures have been developed to light the dog run at Azalea Park, but she said that neighbors ofthe Park oppose the lights. Ms. Ivlueller said staff will continue to look for areas for a dog park. Ms. Mueller said that County staff are interested in joining City staff in approaching the Darden Towe Park Committee about developing a joint unleashed run at that location.