Boise Off Leash Area Info

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Dog Off-Leash Area Task Force

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

June 14, 2000

4:00 - 6:00 P.M.

Boise Parks & Recreation Department

1104 Royal Blvd

In Attendance:

Jamie Koole

Erik Kingston

Julie Morgan

Linda Watkins

Patti Murphy

Donald May

Handouts: City D.O.G. handout, Erik Kingston's "Hey, Dog Owners!" flier, DOLA Preliminary
Cost Estimates, Emergency Preparedness Pointers for Pets and Disaster, site maps for: 
Bowler site, Willow Lane, Murgoitio site.

Meeting Minutes: May Meeting Minutes Approved.

Database: List of registered dogs from the City Clerks Office is being further evaluated by 
MIS to determine if an electronic copy may be obtained.

Park Rules & Regulations: Existing park rules from the following OLA's were reviewed: 
American Kennel Club, Seattle Parks & Recreation, American Dog Trainers Association and 
Fountain Hills, AZ. These were selected because of their proven expertise and success in 
OLA's and with dogs. Rules found in each Rules & Regulations of the above mentioned 
references are as follows:

1. Owners are legally responsible for their dog's behavior and any injuries or damages caused 
     by them.

2. All dogs must wear a visible and current license.

3. Dogs showing aggressive behavior will not be permitted within the facility.

4. Dog owners should not leave their dogs unattended or allow them out of sight. At no time 
    should an owner leave the area without their dog(s).

5. Dog waste must be removed and properly disposed.

6. Owners must carry a leash at all times. Dogs should be leashed before entering and 
    prior to leaving the park.

7. Dogs in heat are not permitted within the facility.

8. All dog owners who fail to comply with these rules may be asked to leave.

In addition to these rules, Boise Parks & Recreation Department would need to attach 
the following Boise City Code Rules:

1. Park is open from sunrise to sunset BCC 07-14-07.

2. Dogs are not allowed to harass humans or other animals. Harassment includes stalking
 and chasing BCC 9-14-2C.

Rules not on every rules and regulations signs, but on some, were also discussed:

1. Dog owners should not leave their dogs unattended.

Agreed to have listed in BPR, OLA Rules.

2. Gates must be kept closed at all times.

Agreed to list in BPR, OLA Rules. This provides a safe place for people to take their dogs 
and not have to worry about them running off or into the street, etc.

3. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

4. Parents must refrain from brining toddlers and small children into the run.

This has yet to be resolved. The Task Force believes that young children should be
accompanied by an adult, but should there be an age attached? What is this age (12 and 8 
years of age have been seen)? If parents have toddlers, are they not allowed to come to the 
park with them? Is there another option for them? This will be a point of discussion at next 
months meeting.

5. For safety reasons, please remove pinch and spike collars from your dog prior to entering
 the run.

Not necessarily appropriate, but will discuss at next meeting if this should be an official rule.

6. Do not bring rawhide or food into the dog run as dogfights may result.

Task Force members have not seen this as a problem at the Temporary OLA. This may be an 
issue in smaller areas, but is less of a problem with a large OLA. Task Force has determined 
not to list this as a rule for BPR, OLA.

The list of rules from the above information will be compiled and further discussed at July's 
task force meeting. Erik Kingston is taking the existing rules and regulations and working on 
sign design.

Sites Discussed (Each of the following sites meet the minimum requirements of an off-leash 
area as set forth by the task force and will be proposed to the Board of Park & Recreation.):

Bowler site: tried to determine best location of OLA at this site, as well as size. This will have 
to be approved by design staff, since there is no master plan for the site–recommendation was 
taken to design staff and they will make recommendation back to the task force.

Willow Lane Park has a section that is in the flood plane and has limited development potential. 
This site has river access, small hills, large open area, existing parking, and meets the minimum 
requirements set forth by the task force; staff continuing to do research of the site limitations. 
Size yet to be determined.

Military Reserve Temporary Off-leash Area should be improved to meet the minimum off-leash 
area requirements.

Large Park in South West Boise (Murgoitio Site) has an off-leash area in the master plan of the 
park and is 1 - 2 Acres in size.

Process of Proposal: The task force has set the minimum requirements of off-leash areas and 
also has determined four priority sites. Jamie will begin putting together the proposal for the 
Board of Park & Recreation Commissioners. Once priorities have been set, staff can take a 
proposal to the Board of Park & Recreation Commissioners. Items to be determined and included
 in the recommended are: Defined 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.

Cost Estimates: Cost estimates for OLA Development were passed out. Due to lack of time 
little discussion was held. Will review at July task force meeting.

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NEXT MEETING DATE - Wednesday, June 14, 2000 from 4:00 - 6:00 @ BPR Admin. 
Conf. Room ___________________________________________________________________________________________

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