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EN HILLS <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> DATE: May 15, 2012 Agenda Item: 3.11. <br /> TO: Parks Trails and Recreation Committee <br /> FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager tO <br /> SUBJECT: Off Leash Dog Park Discussion <br /> Background <br /> This item did not get very much discussion time at the April meeting due to the amount of <br /> business. Therefore, I am including this again for discussion. <br /> At the February joint PTRC/City Council meeting, the Council gave preliminary approval for the <br /> PTRC to move further into researching the possibility of creating an off leash dog area in Arden <br /> Hills. The Council asked staff and the committee to research the liability of dog parks. Staff <br /> contacted the League of Minnesota Cities and the City Attorney to discuss liability. Jackie <br /> Torgerson from the League of Minnesota Cities sent an email with helpful information that I <br /> have included for the committee to review (Attachment A). In addition, she provided a risk <br /> management outline which lays out the important items to consider when offering an off leash <br /> dog area (Attachment B). In speaking with the staff member from the League and the City <br /> Attorney, there does not seem to be a high liability in offering an off leash dog area. The owner <br /> is responsible for the dog. <br /> The next steps will be to identify all possible locations for an off leash dog park, research what <br /> other Cities are doing, research start up costs, research maintenance needs and costs for the dog <br /> area and place all of this information into a draft plan. The Committee can then review the plan <br /> in preparation to present to Council. There are no Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget <br /> dollars allotted for this project for 2012. Since CIP discussions for 2013-2017 are now <br /> beginning, the PTRC may want to consider preliminarily identifying it as a project for 2013. <br /> Council will review the CIP in July. The draft proposal could be potentially presented at that <br /> time. <br /> Requested Action <br /> Staff provided this information to begin the process of establishing a work plan for moving <br /> forward on proposing the addition of an off leash dog area in Arden Hills. <br /> 05152012 Off Leash Dog Area Discussion.doc <br />