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213 Mr. Caravati asked Mr. Plocek to expand about the issues involved in shared times, and Mr. Plocek said it is very confusing for individuals, it is hard to restrict dogs to certain areas, enforcement will be a lot harder, and the same times are wanted by both groups. Mr. Caravati asked why national, state and Albemarle County park systems have leash laws, and Mr. Plocek replied because of liability issues and to protect the environment. Mr. Lynch asked if discussion had been held about shared time at Riverview Park, and Ms. Mueller said that the neighborhood oppoSes the idea. Mr. Plocek said that the Advisory Committee also opposed shared times, and did not support an off-leash area there because it would take out a large natural area, and also because it is in the flood plain and permission would be needed for fencing. Mr. Cox said he finds it interesting that only one neighborhood is willing to accept a dog park, Azalea Park, and it may be that they are willing to do so because they have lived with it and feel it is an appropriate use. Mr. Cox said the issue is whether we feel it is an appropriate and compatible use for a park, and said it will be tough if a neighborhood rejects every proposed use for a park. Mr. Cox said he appreciates the work staffhas done and is glad to see areas identified in the County. Mr. Cox said he thinks a leash law for the City is a good idea with other off-leash areas, but believes we should experiment with shared space. He said that while no clear successes have been identified, he would like to think that Charlottesville is innovative, civil and responsible enough to take it on. He said that if the experiment does not work, then Council can amend the ordinance. Mr. Cox said he would like the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to have that discussion with the dog people. Ms. Richards asked about the situation when Riverview and the Greenbelt were created, and Mr. Plocek said it is his understanding from talking with the neighborhood that the park was set up as a natural type area, and it was considered a compromise when the playground equipment was added. With later agreements for the trail system, it became a regional designation, but was left in as natural a state as possible. Ms. Richards asked if Mr. Plocek believes there will be concentrated use if an off leash area is established, and Mr. Plocek said that he believes dog owners will want to go to that area over other areas. Ms. Richards asked Mr. Plocek if he believes having an offleash area is consistent with the park being a natural area, and he said no. Mr. Cox asked how it would be different than its current use, and Mr. Plocek said the type would be the same, but the concentration would be greater. Mr. Plocek said staffwill continue to explore other areas as he feels that allowing dogs off leash is a legitimate recreational activity. Ms. Richards said it is definitely a legitimate use of park space, facilities and public investment in parks. Mr. Toscano noted that in the early 1990's Council had discussed extending the leash requirement to Riverview Park, but the argument was made that dogs should be able to nm free in a more natural area. Mr. Lynch said he would like to see some kind of compromise that allows dogs off leash at Riverview, which is one of the largest parks in the City and is considered a regional park. Mr. Lynch said he has been using the park for 10 years and a real community has developed around dogs, noting that before the dog owners began using the park, no one was there. He said he would prefer a shared solution and creation of a few areas offthe interloop. He said he would not agree to having no dogs off leash which may cause the park to be unused again.