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Dog Off- Leash Area Task Force
Mission: To create sustainable dog off-leash areas and encourage safe and
responsible use of parks and open space to enhance Boise's recreational
opportunities.
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2000
4:00 - 6:00 P.M.
Administration Conference Room
1104 Royal Blvd
In Attendance:
Jamie Koole
Jerry Tracy
Julie Morgan
Marty Guerra
Erik Kingston
Donald May
Linda Watkins
Patti Murphy
Marion Kropp
Meeting Minutes: March Meeting Minutes Approved.
Education: Donald researched the possibility of getting into schools to do dog
education. Humane Society has information that could be used. A proposal
would need to be made to the school district and approved based on how
the information fit with current curriculum. Also, each class would have to
agree to the education as well. Marty indicated that he works with the local
Humane Society and they currently visit schools and do education. The
Task Force may be able to work with the local Humane Society to get
information into the schools. This information may include(brainstorming ideas):
responsible dog ownership, effects of not picking up after your pet,
keeping your pet on a leash, how to approach strange animals, etc.
The Task Force will prioritize their education efforts with other efforts to
be prioritized next month.
Safety and Legal Questions: A dog was injured by a weed at the dog park
and the individual is seeking full payment by the city of the vet bill. It was
sent to the City Risk Manager, who is following up on the situation.
Military Reserve Trail Access: Several members of the Task Force met with
Tim Breuer to discuss trail access. They discussed parking, education,
trail etiquette, stock use, designating trails as off-leash and presence in
open space meetings. Julie has attended an Open Space Meeting and
members of the Task Force will continue to attend. Additional trail access
and specific trails for possible use as off-leash in the foothills will be
researched and presented to the Board.
Demographics: Boise Parks & Recreation Department has purchased a list of
registered dogs, sorted by zip code from the City Clerks Office. This information
was transferred to a basic map divided by zip codes. Since the information is
not obtainable electronically from the City Clerks Office, City DOG has requested
volunteers to enter the information into a data base so it can be used more
efficiently.
Meeting with Public Works: Public Works is beginning a campaign surrounding
storm water. They met with BPR and City DOG to discuss the effects of not
picking up dog feces on storm water. City DOG will be putting Public Works
information on their web site and incorporate this information on to fliers put
out by the group. Public Works may also purchase BPR's bag dispensers to put
in the park system.
Possible Sites: The Task Force will meet at the site in South East Boise, near
Surprise Valley on April 24 at 11:30. This will give the Task Force a chance to
see the site and if it will work for them. Each member will create a check list
of items that each possible site must/must not have. The Task Force will
collaborate and make a formal check list and take this information to each
possible site to see how it "qualifies." A list of directions to other sites will
also be distributed so that each member can visit sites on their own to
determine how appropriate each site is. Items addressed at the January
meeting to be used to make check lists for sites are as follows:
1. Parking
2. Safety of Dogs/Owners/Children
3. Rules & Regulations (Donald)
4. Vaccinations
5. Healthy Dogs
6. Identification of Dogs (License)
7. Common Courtesy of Users
8. Child/Dog Supervision
9. Lighting of Facility
10. Toys at the Park for Dogs
11. Signage of Off-Leash Area
12. Events 13. Fund Raising
14. Commercial Use of Off-Leash Area
15. Size of Off-Leash Area
16. Current License Fees Uses (Linda)
17. Demographics of Boise (dog
ownership, age, use, etc.) (Linda)
18. Amenities for an Off-Leash Area
19. Possibility of Park Fees
20. Mutt Mitts
21. Ground Cover (Erik)
22. Education/Marketing
23. ADA Accessibility
24. Individual Owner/Dog Needs
Willow Lane behind ball fields was mentioned as a possible off-leash area.
A site with water access to the Boise River is also suggested.
Athletic Complexes: The Board of Park & Recreation Commissioners
Sub-Committee asked the Task Force to look at dogs in athletic complexes.
There has been concerns in the past with dogs running loose as games,
being tied to trees, etc.
After much discussion, the Task Force decided that dogs should be allowed at
athletic complexes if on leash, with owner. They suggested doing education
of dogs on/off-leash and pick up education through sports packets. They also
suggested that during the non-sports months (winter) that the sports fields be
used as off-leash areas. With this type of use, bag dispensers for pick up need
to be provided, as well as signage in the park. Suggested that a dog specific
area where owners with dogs must sit, might be appropriate during games.
Process of Proposal: The Task Force will be working on setting the priorities
and a time line for the group at May's Task Force meeting. Once priorities
have been set, staff can take a proposal to the Board of Park & Recreation
Commissioners. Items recommended to include are: Define the user
group, Task Force Mission Statement, city dog population, share research
that has been done, comparisons with other cities, 3-5 year plan, costs, etc.
Parking: There are several concerns regarding parking at the temporary dog
off-leash area. Trainers and dog owners talked about how dogs run back to
their cars often and if cars are parked across the street and no fencing,
this poses a safety hazard for the dogs.
Many users feel that safety measures need to be put in place before making
users park across the street. Speed bumps and a cross walk were recommended.
Also, many felt that it would be possible to fence or direct parking on the berm
to include the trail, parking and emergency access.
Access from the parking lot was also a concern. To access the off-leash area
from the parking area is to cut across the parking lot, through traffic
(no sidewalk, trail, etc.)
Veterinarian Association: City DOG and Jamie Koole spoke to the Vet's
Association. The Vets agreed to post and distribute information regarding
off-leash areas and education at their offices.
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NEXT MEETING DATE - Wednesday, May 10th from 4:00 - 6:00 @ BPR Admin.
Conf. Room
REMEMBER: Meeting at the Bowler Site on April 24, 2000
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