HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-08 10-087 ORDINANCECOUNCIL ACTION
Item No. 10 P
Y 1 '.111�
Date: 3-8-10
Item/Subject: Ordinance, Amending the Code of the City of Bangor, Chapter 65, Article I,
Sections 1 and 2, Dog Control and Leash Requirements in Certain Parks and Trails
Responsible Department: Parks and Recreation
Commentary: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has been reviewing the need for an
updated trail use policy for City trails and park areas. The issue of highest concern related to dogs
on trails and in park areas. Following extensive review, public input, and survey results, the
Advisory Committee has recommended that certain areas be designated as on -leash for dogs.
Currently, there are no such designated areas, and many citizens have voiced concerns and have
requested where dogs must be on leash. Under this proposed amendment, certain trails at the
Rolland Perry City Forest and all trails/areas at Brown Woods and Cascade Park would be limited to
on -leash use only. Additionally, all animals, except service animals, would be prohibited from the
safety zone that surrounds play structures in City Parks. (The safety zone is the safety surfacing that
is under surround play structures).
This proposal is recommended by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Government
Operations Committee.
Manager's Comments:
Department Head
140100
City Manager
Associated Information: Order, Map, Memo from Parks and Recreation Director Willette
Budget Approval:
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
11Zi?1V__
City Solicitor
Introduced for
Passage
YFirst Reading & Referral to Govt Ops, 3-9-10 at 5 pm Page _ of
Referral
"
Assigned to Councilor - Wheeler March 8, 2010
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CITY OF BANGOR
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(TITLE.) Ordinance, Amending the Code of the City of Bangor, Chapter 65, Article I, Section
65-1,65-2.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT: Chapter 65,
Article I, Section 65-1, 65-2 be amended as follows:
65-1 DEFINITIONS
LEASH: A rope, line, or tether of not more than eight () feet in length.
OWNER: Any person or person, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping
or harboring a dog. When required as in this chapter, the owner, keeper or any
other individual who has the responsibility of a domestic animal shall be
competent and able to control the animal and the animal shall be obedient to that
erson's commands.
65-2 RUNNING AT LARGE; IMPOUNDMENT
E. Domestic animals are to be controlled by a leash as defined in 65-1 in the
following areas:
1. At the Rolland Perry City Forest:
The Parking area at the Tripp Drive trail head,
The entire length of the East Trail
The entire length of the Shannon Drive Trail
The Main Road Trail from the intersecting point with Tripp Drive
north to its intersection with the East Trail.
The entire length of the Tripp Drive Trail
2. All of the trails and areas at Brown Woods
3. All of the trails and areas at Cascade Park
F. All animals, with the exception of service animals, are prohibited from the
safety zone that surrounds any play structure in any park. The safety zone is the
safety surfacing that is under and surrounds any play structure.
IN CITY COUNCIL
March S, 2010
First Reading & Referral to
Government Operations Committee
Meeting of 3/9/10 at 5pm
DEPUTY CITY CLE
IN CITY COUNCIL
March 22, 2010
Motion Made and Seconded for Passage
Vote: 6-2
Councilors Voting Yes: Blanchette,
Bronson, Gratwick, Haves, Palmer,
& Stone
Councilors Voting No: Nealley &
Wheeler
Councilors Absent: Weston
Passed
EPUTY CITY CLERK
ORDINANCE
(T1TLEJ Amending the Code of the City of
$Angor.„. Chanter 65. A icle 1 65-1, 65-2
Assigned to Councilor
r
Map by Luke Boland
June 2005
OF Miles
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I I I
MEMORANDUM
TO: Government Operations Committee
FROM: Tracy Willette, Director, Parks and Recreation
SUBJ: Trail and Park Leash Requirement
DATE: February 17, 2010
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee have been
iewinal gtheir meet the need or anngs,a survey was updated trail use
policy for City trails. The committee has discussed this at
conducted and a public meeting was held.
Staff presented the results of these activities to the Government d feedback from the coOperations lmmittee regarding
ttee this past
December. We provided a review of the results and so
further direction. In reviewing what other communities had in place, there were a few options that
were considered.
Most communities have leash restrictions that are limited to parks and playgrounds.
• These have included school properties as well. Our current ordinance designates
parks. However, areas such as the Waterfront may warrant consideration.
The Rolland Perry City Forest generated the most discussion in our trail comments as
well as our public meeting. It is also the location we recive
the
or most callealsh andtoff in our
office. it has been suggested designating leash and off
leash days at this location.
Establish a trail network as off leash while having all others as "leashed."
• Selecting certain parks and/or playgrounds as leashed and having others off leash.
• Some communities had a "leash in hand" requirement where an owner must have a
leash in hand while having a dog off leash.
Based on the direction from the Government Operations option Committee
consideration.at thatinghe Pa, thePks andarks Recreation Advisory Committee continued to work
Recreation Advisory Committee also asked for feedback from the City Animal Control Office. The
Advisory Committee included that feedback when creating a draft of an ordinance. That draft
ordinance language is being presented for your consideration. The advisory committee attempted to
balance addressing feedback from the public along with what would be a positive first attempt at
changing our policy on our trails. All involved recognize the challenge of enforcement.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has committed lengthy discussion to our trail use
policy. The issue that has received the most attention has been whether to initiate a leash
ordinance/policy.
1 will be at the meeting to answer any questions you may have.
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