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212 <br /> <br />for dogs in parks. Mr. O'Comnell said that there was considerable neighborhood <br />involvement as well. <br /> <br /> Ms. Judy Mueller, Director of Public Works, said that Council asked that criteria <br />be created for off-leash areas. Ms. Mueller said that the issue of shared use was explored, <br />but a successfUl model could not be found, and it was considered to be difficult to enforce <br />by the police. Ms. Mueller said that the off-leash area at Towe Park is open and <br />successful. Discussions have been held about moving the dog area at Azalea Park to a <br />larger area, and the neighborhood supports this. No support was found for a dog area in <br />Rives Park. Discussions are beginning with Piedmont Virginia Community College <br />regarding off-leash areas on their property. Staff is continuing to. work with Albemarle <br />County on larger off-leash areas in farther out parks. <br /> <br /> .Mr. Lynch asked where the County stands regarding dog runs in larger County <br />parks, and Ms. Mueller said they are willing to work with the City, but want to wait and <br />see how the off-leash area at Towe Park works. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked what size areas have been discussed, and Mr. Pat Plocek, Parks <br />Manager, said that there could be as much as 20 acres at Chris Greene, possibly 5 to 10 <br />acres at Walnut Creek, and a large wooded area at PVCC. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked about an area at Pen Park, and Mr. Plocek said that they are trying <br />to come up with a 4 to 5 acre area there, but noted that parking is an issue. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ploeek said that PVCC owns 30 to 40 acres along the interstate that they <br />cannot build on, and staff will be drawing up plans to submit to them for use of the <br />property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if any of the sites being explored have access to water, and Mr. <br />Plocek said no. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards asked what the issues are at PVCC, and Mr. Plocek said they have <br />an oversight board that reviews any land use issues. He said once a formal proposal is <br />made, it may take several months to hear back from them. He added that PVCC may <br />have to go to the State for their approval as well. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked if consideration is being given to expanding the fenced areas at <br />Towe Park, and Mr. Plocek said yes, it could be expanded to one-third more of its current <br />size by relocating the cross country track. <br /> <br /> Responding to questions from Ms. Richards regarding shared times, Mr. Plocek <br />said that one problem is that non-dog users and dog users want to use the park at the same <br />times, and that it is difficult to keep up with which days are whose, and noted that dogs <br />need to be exercised every day. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that if users of the Greenbelt Trail could come to an understanding <br />about times, could shared use be addressed, and Mr. Plocek said that only the part owned <br />by the City could be used, and noted that he has received calls from property owners who <br />gave easements to the park who are not happy with dogs off-leash. Mr. Ptocek said that <br />these easements could be revoked. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if there are self-enforcing policies in other places, and Ms. Mueller <br />said that the police would enforce the ordinance should it become a problem. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that there will be an expectation that the ordinance will be <br />enforced. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he is also interested in shared use, but said that the more <br />complicated it is made, the harder it wilt be to enforce, and said he feels it would be <br />better to make certain days for off-leash, and to place signs at the two entrances to the <br />Greenbelt trail. <br /> <br /> <br />