We Need More Dog Parks...and Some Guidance
Tomorrow in City Council is an agenda item I placed to set up an advisory committee for the Parks and Recreation Commission that will help set up some guidelines regarding off leash areas for dogs and dog parks.
We certainly need more spaces but we also need some guidance as to the rules for establishing these areas. Right now it has been up to staff to decide.
I have received several requests from residents who want to use portions of parks in the 5th to run their dogs off leash. Right now it is illegal to do so. And the east side needs a regular dog park.
This agenda item would enhance the efforts of the current dog owners groups to provide meaningful input on this issue -- after all they have an important interest in this issue. It would not take away anything from their current work -- it would just provide a set of rules that everyone could abide by if they want to use our parks for dogs.
Here's the agenda item:
Subject: Establish An Off Leash Dog Area (Dog Parks) Advisory Committee
Discussion:
The
City of Long Beach has six off leash dog areas also known as dog parks.
There is interest in opening more in other areas of the City and some
residents want to be able to utilize portions of existing parks to let
their dogs run off leash. Currently, the City lacks a policy regarding
the opening and operating of a dog park and dog owners can be fined if
they allow their dog to be off leash in a park.
Most
cities allowing dog parks and off leash areas have in place a policy
that outlines program structure, funding and project operating costs,
basic facility elements or design standards, facility rules and
regulations, and general dog owner group requirements to support this
effort. These cities have required that all dog exercise areas have a
"dog owner group" which is responsible for "policing and maintaining"
the dog parks because of governmental funding and staff shortages.
An
Off Leash Dog Area (Dog Parks) Advisory Committee would provide needed
input to the Parks and Recreation Commission about the many issues
facing existing and proposed dog parks in the City. Suggested membership
would include:
- Community members representing: veterinary science, dog owners groups, and each council district.
- Ex officio members from the following departments: Animal Care Services, Parks/Recreation/Marine, Health and Human Services and Development Services.
This
Advisory Committee would meet monthly, without compensation, and assist
the City in drafting policies related to the establishment and
operation of off leash dog areas in the City. These policies would be
given to the Parks and Recreation Commission which would decide whether
or not to approve these policies and recommend to the City Council for
adoption.
Fiscal Impact:
Staffing
would be required for the Advisory Committee. However, the involvement
of the community in this effort would provide much needed clarification
and consistency of the policies concerning establishing and maintaining
dog parks in Long Beach.
Recommendation:
By
motion of the City Council, establish an "Off Leash Dog Area (Dog
Parks) Advisory Committee" to advise the Parks and Recreation Commission
on the needed policies related to the establishment and operation of
off leash dog (dog parks) areas in the City.
