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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.E.1. Adption of Rules for the Dog Park within Southbridge Communiity Park Consent Business 4. E. 1. SHAKOPEE TO: Mayor and City Council Mark McNeill, City Administrator FROM: Jamie Polley, Parks, Recreation&Natural Resources Director DATE: 07/15/2014 SUBJECT: Adoption of Rules for the Dog Park within Southbridge Community Park (A) Action Sought The City Council is asked to adopt the rules recommended by the PRAB for the Off-Leash Dog Park within Southbridge Community Park. Background The Southbridge Community Park is currently under construction and will contain an off-leash dog park. The dog park contains a 1/4 acre small dog area and an all-breed area that is approximately 10 acres. The dog park is the first of it's kind within Shakopee and because of its uniqueness, will require a certain set of rules. When the planning for Southbridge Community Park began the PRAB and City Council authorized staff to organize a citizen dog park committee. The dog park committee reviewed sample dog park rules from Three Rivers Park District, the City of Eagan, Baton Rouge LA, and a previous draft of rules put together with the 2005 dog park committee. The committee had an extensive discussion on rules concerning aggressive and dangerous dogs. The City currently has an ordinance that addresses dangerous dogs and dogs labeled as dangerous would not be allowed to utilize the dog park. Other concerns discussed by the committee included handler's control of the dog, minimum age to use the park, vaccinations, youth or children in the dog park and maximum dog size for the small breed area. The rule regarding minimum age of the dog states that the dog must be at least 4 months of age to use the dog park. This age is recommended because 4 months is the minimum age that a dog must be to get the rabies vaccination. The dog park committee compiled a list of rules for the dog park that they recommended to the PRAB. The PRAB reviewed the list of proposed rules at the June 9, 2014 meeting and suggested a number of changes to the proposed rules that would simply the rules and clean up the list. Suggestions included combining rules that were similar in nature, inserting a stronger liability statement, shortening some of the rule language and putting the park hours at the top of the rules. Discussion The PRAB reviewed the revised rules on July 7, 2014. The rules recommended by the PRAB for the Dog Park within Southbridge Community Park are attached. Relationship to Vision A. Keep Shakopee a safe and healthy community where residents can pursue active and quality lifestyles. Requested Action The City Council, if concur, adopt the proposed rules for the Off-Leash Dog Park. Attachments: Dog Park Rules CITY OF SHAKOPEE DOG PARK RULES AND OPERATIONS FUN FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG! • Park Hours are 6:00 am- 10:00 pm. • Users of the Off-Leash Dog Park must carry or display a daily or annual pass. • USE OF THE OFF-LEASH DOG PARK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE HANDLER. THE OFF- LEASH DOG PARK IS NOT STAFFED. OWNER WAIVES LIABILITY TO THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY PET. OWNERS ARE SOLELY LIABLE FOR INJURIES OR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THEIR DOG(S). • Dogs must be healthy,properly vaccinated and have a current dog license tag(if required in residing community)on the collar of each dog. • Dogs must be under visual contact and voice control of the handler at all times.A dog is considered under voice control if it will come when called.Dogs are never to be left unattended.Permission must be granted by each handler for dogs to play or interact with another dog. • Handlers must remain in the area with their dogs at all times. • Each handler must clean up and dispose of dog feces in a sanitary manner, as per City Ordinance.A trash barrel is provided at the park. • Dogs that have been declared dangerous, as per City Ordinance or potentially dangerous in any community or that have a history of aggressive behavior are not allowed in the Off-Leash Dog Park. Any dog that exhibits aggressive behaviors must be removed immediately by the handler. • Dogs must be leashed prior to entering and upon leaving the Off-Leash Dog Park.A dog may not be leashed within the Off-Leash Dog Park except for immediate removal. The handler must keep the leash on their person at all times. • Children under the age of 16 are not allowed in the Off-Leash Dog Park without a supervising adult, very young children are not recommended to be inside the Off-Leash Dog Park. • No more than 3 pets per dog handler are allowed in the area at any given time. • Female dogs in heat or puppies under 4 months are not allowed in the park. • No rawhides, food(dog or human),glass bottles, strollers,carriages,bicycles, chairs, skateboards or scooters allowed in the dog park. • Professional dog trainers are not allowed to use the facility to conduct business. • This park is tobacco,drugs and alcohol free. • The small dog area is limited to dogs no taller than 13"at the shoulder that weigh no more than 25 pounds. • City of Shakopee Ordinance Chapter 14 and Chapter 10, Sec.10.21 applies to this Park. City Ordinances will be enforced. • This park is for everyone,please be considerate! Dial 911 in the event of an emergency. Parks, Recreation&Natural Resources Office: 952-233-9500 SHAKOPEE PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES