2001-06-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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110 dogs should be restricted. Ms. Mueller noted that in communities that have dog parks, no vegetation exists in those areas because of the heavy use. She also said that no communities were found who had certain times set aside for dogs off leashes. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Karl Ackerman, 1611 E. Market Street, co-president of the Bumley-Moran PTO, thanked Council for adopting a leash law on school grounds and thanked staff for thek recommendations. Mr. Ackerman said that there are still concerns about children's safety at Riverview Park, and he asked Council to follow staff's recommendations. Mr. Tom Phipps, 301 13th Street, N.E., said he has a long history with the Greenbelt Trail, and tried to organize a neighborhood watch for the trail because of safety concerns, but was unable to find enough people to participate. Mr. Phipps said he is on the trail on a daily basis and when he first started going there were problems with drugs and other safety concerns. Since the dog crowd has started coming he said things have changed and the criminal element has gone away. Mr. Phipps said it will be hard to enforce a leash law along a mile and a half long trail. Mr. Phipps said he thinks people will stop going to the park if a leash law is enacted and that will result in the need for more police presence, Ms. Alyson Rice, 806 Druid Avenue, said that dog owners originally asked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to come up with more and better areas for dogs, but instead they are recommending that all the dogs squeeze into Azalea Park which is not a workable solution. Mr. John Sweeney, 1810 Eastview Street, said he is troubled by the implications of the report. Mr. Sweeney said only huge cities were researched and he takes issue that dogs are contributing significantly to the fecal contamination. Mr. Sweeney said he feels the report is flawed and hopes that is not what Council bases its decision on. Mr. Nathan Van Hooser, 1215 Little High Street, presented his compromise idea for an off-leash area at Riverview Park. Mr. Van Hooser said that Chris Green Lake and Walnut Creek Park are too far out for City residents to use on a daily basis. Mr. Van Hooser said his proposal includes a dog-free area and a fenced in area for dogs which would have access to the river. Ms. Sheryl Longnecker, 1282 Bishop Hill Road, said that responsible dogs owners want a place to walk, exercise and socialize with their dogs. Ms. Longnecker said there are too many dogs for Azalea Park and dogs need access to shade and water. Ms. Longnecker said she would be willing to pay $30 or $40 a year for a permit to allow dogs off-leash. Mr. Ken Schweiger, 100 Carlton Road, said he spends about ten hours a week at Riverview Park, and expressed concern that dog owners have not had their perspective represented. Mr. Schweiger expressed concern that the recommendations will not provide adequate opportunity for dogs to get enough exercise which could result in more safety problems. Mr. Schweiger said he does not feel there has been any compromise. Ms. Beth Norford, 708 Le~y Avenue, supported Riverview Park not having a leash law. Ms. Norford said many dogs are more aggressive when on a leash and she feels many dog owners will stop using the park if there is a leash law. Mr. David Trudel, 1302 Barcley Hill, said this is a big issue for a lot ofpeople, and agreed that some dogs do get aggressive on a leash. Mr. Trudell expressed concern that he has heard that this decision is a done deal. Ms. Janelle Molloy, 1302 Barcley Hill, urged Council not to require leashes at Riverview Park. She said her dog needs more exercise than he can get on a leash and a outlet is needed for dogs.