2001-06-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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112 and about the pooper scooper ordinance, and said she feels dogs should be accommodated at a different area. Mr. John Rice, 806 Druid Avenue, said he is sorry for everyone who feels uncomfortable with dogs at the park, but said there are alternative parks where no dogs are allowed. Mr. Rice said Riverview Park is the only park where people can wall with the dogs. Mr. Rice noted that the recommendation calls for only four acres for an off- leash area at Towe Park. Mr. Rice said the main attraction of Azalea Park is access to water and staff is recommending that be taken away. Mr. Rice said he feels dogs owners are a legitimate interest group. Mr. Rice said he has problems with the research and the cost to hire police to enforce the ordinance. Ms. Laura Covert, 1809 E. Market St., said she lives next door to Riverview Park but has stopped using it because dogs are not under voice control and the area has become degraded. Ms. Lisa Workman, 1002 Cherry Avenue, said going to Riverview Park provides her with a chance to exercise with her dog, and her dog does not get sufficient exercise on a leash. Ms. Workman said she would be very sad to see the rules change. Mr. Peter Mclntosh, 624 Davis Avenue, Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, noted that the character of Riverview Park has changed, but not by any conscious action of Council or the Board. Mr. Mclntosh said the Board recognizes the need for more off-leash areas. Mr, Scott Stultz, 217 E. High St., said that the proposed ordinance is not a compromise, and many people do not want to use a fenced in area. Mr. Stultz said he would like things to remain as they area. Ms. Joan Albiston said that she lives adjacent to Azalea Park and is concerned about the environmental damage at the Park. She said it does not fit in with the "City as a Park" plan. Mr. Peter Lorenzoni, 717 Hinton Avenue, supported a compromise in Riverview Park. He said resources are available among dog owners, and suggested that the fee t%r dog licenses be increases to help raise money. The public hearing was closed. Mr. Lynch thanked Mr. Van Hooser for putting together the compromise proposal. Mr. Lynch said he feels the debate has been very polarizing and he thinks there is room to find a solution. Mr. Lynch said that a year ago he felt there was a dog problem but he feels people are self-policing themselves more now. He said he feels it would be helpful to have other places for off-leash dogs such as Towe Park, especially for County residents. Mr. Lynch said that having dogs at the park has increased the vibrancy of Riverview Park. He said he feels it would be helpful to have access to the water for dogs, and he does not want to banish dogs from the park. Ms. Richards asked if staffhas responded to Mr. Van Hooser's proposal. Ms. Mueller said she has looked at it, but feels it would be hard to police and feels it would be problematic giving dogs the access to the river. Mr. Pat Plocek, Parks Manager, said he feels the vegetation in the area proposed by Mr. Van Hooser would disappear. Ms. Richards asked about a dock to provide access to the river, and Mr. Plocek said that has been talked about, and it could also provide access for canoes. Ms. Van Yahres said that Mr. Van Hooser's proposal has not been presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Ms. Van Yahres said the Woolen Mills