Boise Off Leash Area Info

Jamie Koole

Jerry Tracy

Julie Morgan

Erik Kingston

Linda Watkins

Meeting Minutes: February Meeting Minutes Approved.

Packet: Suggested Mission Statements, Citizen Concern Letter.

Dog Off-Leash Area Task Force Mission Statement:

To create sustainable dog off-leash areas and encourage safe and responsible use of parks and open space to enhance Boise’s recreational opportunities.

Safety and Legal Questions: What is the liability for people with their dogs or children in the off- leash area? The task force again discussed the issue of small children in the off-leash area. Linda brought some information on the topic from a web site. It was again addressed that people will assume liability for their actions as well as their pet(s) and/or minor children(s) actions. However, the e-mail will be distributed at the next meeting.

Military Reserve Trail Access: The task force would like to address the issue of off-leash trail use. It was discussed that several trails of different ability (level, moderate slope, difficult slope) could be identified as off-leash trails. This will be put on the priority list and further research of appropriate trails will be done. The group would also like Tim Breuer to visit and discuss the current trail system.

Demographics: Boise Parks & Recreation Department has purchased a list of registered dogs, sorted by zip code from the City Clerks Office. This information will be transferred to a map so that the group will be able to determine where there are higher needs for dog off-leash areas.

Possible Sites: Several sites have been located for possible off-leash areas and with the available list of registered dogs others may be able to be identified (a list is being kept of additional possible sites). The task force will be visiting these sites in the near future. Site priorities will be set at the April task force meeting.

Mutt Mitts: BPR has created their own mutt mitt dispenser. It is made of PVC Pipe and can be filled with plastic grocery bags to be used for picking up after pets. The idea is to have park users fill the dispensers when they come to use the park. This new dispenser will help cut down the costs for the department and provide an alternative for park users. These dispensers will be placed in the temporary off leash area, as well as other smaller parks to determine how effective they will be as soon as signage is completed.

Process of Proposal: The task force will be working on setting the priorities and a time line for the group at April’s task force meeting. This will allow the group to set goals and focus on what they hope to accomplish in a timely manner. Once priorities have been set, staff can take a proposal to the Board of Park & Recreation Commissioners regarding areas to be designated as off-leash areas, time-lines, improvements, etc. to gain approval to move forward with design of priority areas.

Miscellaneous: City D.O.G. will be designing and making bulletin boards for the Military Reserve off-leash area and BPR will install them.

A schedule of Open Space Meetings will be obtained from BPR. A representative from the dog off-leash area task force should be attending these meetings.

Information from the Arizona Report and the Reserves Master Plans has been helpful in the understanding of what other cities have done and what BPR’s plan is for the Reserves. Examples from other cities will be very helpful when moving forward the task forces process.

John Rigby will not longer be a part of the dog off-leash task force. He has accepted a new position and will be unable to attend the meetings. We thank him for his time and expertise
while on the board.