Title
Listening Session - Parks Rules Pertaining to Dogs
Body
In June of 2015, the Parks and Recreation Board tackled the mulit-faceted discussion of park rules pertaining to dogs. The discussion addressed concerns regadin the Animal Control Ordinance and dogs off leash in County Parks or athletic fields. In addtion, an Open Forum discussion on "Rules for Dogs in County Parks" was also made available to take public comment.
A July listening session reviewed present Animal Control Ordinance in relation to parks, athletic fields, trails, dog parks, dog training fields and voice and sight control areas. The discussion and Open Forum input indicated that Los Alamos citizens want to be dog friendly and to share County parks, fields and trains pursuant to a common vision as outlined by code.
In August, the Parks and Recreation Board concluded that the public supports remaining a dog friendly community within our existing rules and regulations. Alternatives exist to improve this community vision via education, enforcement and facility improvements. Based on public comment and feedback, five initial recommendations are presented below.
1. New signage to clarify Dog Training Zones, Dog Training Fields and Voice and Sight Control areas as they now exist, including the informational phone number for the Parks Division and the Dispatch phone number for improved customer service.
2. The “No Dogs on Playing Field” signs on Overlook sports fields will be removed and replaced with park entry signage that enforces the leash law message throughout the Overlook Park area.
3. Designation of Dara Jones Soccer Field as a “Dog Training Field” that is scheduled for group events via the Parks Field User meetings will continue. The Westside Pedestrian gate will be removed so that unofficial dog park activities do not occur.
4. Further Los Alamos Dog Obedience Club (LADOC) involvement reflecting the group’s contractual obligations to the County for providing their services of obedience training classes, workshops along with information and guidance to dog owners of the area. Together the County staff and LADOC will work to increase the awareness of the rules and regulations and how Los Alamos County can truly be a dog friendly community.
5. Dog Parks
o Parks staff will continue their maintenance efforts in the dog parks paying close attention to the items brought forward through this public process.
o The North Mesa Dog Park will be reviewed to see when irrigation and seeding efforts can begin.
o Enlargement of the East Park, Dog Park along with improved access will be reviewed and undertaken as time and budgets allow.
o Further community planning will need to be done for additional dog park development while building on neighborhood activities to date.
It was also recommended that the Board conduct periodic listening sessions, to hear from residents on a review of the rules and regulations. This formal opportunity would provide feedback for further adjustments or refinements needed to continue to balance the needs of dog owners and park/field users. This agenda item fulfills that recommendation while providing an opportunity to evaluate how multi-use maximizes varied public use of our parks and open space amenities.