Boise Off Leash Area Info

Aug Trails Minutes

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DOGS & OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

August 27, 2001

            4:00  - 6:00 P.M.

 

 

Michelle Callaham opened the meeting.

 

Attended by:                                                                                     Not in Attendance:

 

 Michelle Callaham                 Tonia Wolf         Carol Smith                                    Margie Rosenberg

Bob Morris                            Ellie Rodgers       Kathy Barker

Thomas Grant             Rachel Winer                                    

Linda Watkins         Eric Kingston

Mary Lucachick                 Jamie Koole

Tim Breuer                       Vicki Saab

 

Meeting minutes from August 15, 2001 approved.

 

Understanding and Defining Needs, Challenges and Desires presented by Tim Breuer: 
Tim responded to numbers done in survey discussed in previous meeting - How the survey was done, 
type of information that was gathered, and the goal of the survey.  Says it was done on a non-typical day 
and is just a point in time survey.  Tim presented the survey statistics at the August 15 meeting.

 Guest Speaker: Kathy Barker presented the 2001 Trail Survey Report: Dog Use in the Boise Foothills. 
Kathy reviewed the results of the Survey done in June, 2001 during three different time periods and at four 
different sites. The survey was conducted one morning, one evening and one weekend at each of the following 
sites:

9th St. Trail Head

Lower Hulls Gulch Parking Lot

Military Reserve Trail Head

Idaho State Penitentiary Trail Head

The goal of the Survey was to help planners understand current use patterns in the observed areas and to 
assist in making informed decisions about how to manage the areas in the future. Specific areas that were
 assessed were how to regulate trail use by dogs and if regulation is necessary. Also to look at conflicts 
between pedestrian and mountain bike use. Graphs and handouts accompanied the presentation and are 
available for review upon request to Tim Breuer, Ridge to Rivers Coordinator.

Discussion Items; needs, challenges, desires: Michelle asked the group, In a perfect world how would
 dogs be allowed to use open space ? Tim asked that everyone describe the experience you would like to have
 with/without dogs on trails. Responses from the group were:•                     More education aimed at dog owners is needed.

  • •                     Provide information on rules and regulations when a dog is licensed.

  • •                     There are not enough trash cans and dog mitts on the trails.
          Would like to see 100% compliance with rules in the foothills.
         Would like to see open space off trails to let dogs run loose.
          Would like to see more areas of containment for dogs i.e., dog parks

 More education is needed for trail users regarding leaving trash on the trails.

•                     Would like not to have to worry about keeping dogs on the trails.

•                     Concerned about the impact dogs off leash are having on the wildlife

•                     Values open space - would like to see the undeveloped areas left as they are.

•                     Better understanding of regulations for leashed and unleashed dog areas needed.

•                     Three types of areas needed: leashed, off leash, and controlled areas. 
Unsure how these areas would be selected.

•                     Funding from dog license needs to be specified for garbage pick up.

•                     Need more mountain bike only designated trails.

•                     Some of the trails should be closed to mountain bikers.

•                     Dogs do not belong in wildlife areas, with or without leashes.

•                     Restrictions are part of our lives.

•                     Full representation needed for all foothills users i.e., bikers, hikers, horses, dogs.

•                     Mountain bikers need to be more responsible when using multi-purpose trails.

•                     More designated areas needed for leased/unleashed dogs - dogs shouldn’t be allowed off trails.

•                     Would like to walk on trails where dogs are not allowed.

•                     Dogs should not be allowed off trails.

•                     Would like to have a place to walk without dogs.

•                     25 years ago there were no dogs or wildlife in the Military Reserve.

•                     Wildlife has occurred in the past 10 years due to the increased availability of food and water.

•                     Dogs should be ticketed if off leash, without enforcement ordinances are ignored.

•                     More mutt mitts needed, better education for the public.

•                     Information needs to be passed out to trail users on dog responsibilities.

•                     50% of the dogs in the city are unlicensed?

•                     Public doesn’t feel they get anything in return by paying the licensing fee.

•                     Are dog problems restricted to city parks, lower foothills, and residential neighborhoods?

•                     Where do hunting dogs come in being off leash and off trails in the foothills, are they under control?

 

Definitions: Leash, off leash (controlled, voice, sight, run free, at large), under control, free range, voice, site control.  Michelle suggested each member define each word on the list with a  term and definition before the next meeting.

 

Next meeting is September 12, 2001 from 4-6 PM.

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.

 

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Please remember to carry bags and clean up after your dog!