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Liability Concerns <br />Staff contacted the League of Minnesota Cities to discuss liability. Jackie Torgerson informed <br />staff that the City does not have to do anything special in order for the City’s liability coverage to <br />apply to claims arising from a dog park. From a loss control perspective, she listed some <br />general considerations: <br />Provide a barrier <br />to encourage the dogs to stay in the designated area. If you are near a <br />residential area or busy street, consider a fence with a gated entry. A gated entry also <br />makes advisory signs difficult to miss. <br />Provide trash and containers <br />and even plastic bags to encourage the proper disposal of <br />feces. <br />Make sure there is adequate parking. <br />Use may exceed expectations. <br />Consider providing water for dogs <br />or encourage owners to bring plenty of water if none <br />exists at the park. <br />Good maintenance techniques can keep park users safe and reduce liability in the <br />event of a claim. <br />Things like adding mulch to walkways can reduce erosion and increase <br />traction. Be sure to include the dog park in a regular documented inspections program, <br />along with other parks. <br />With respect to signage, she recommended consideringposting rules for the following items: <br />1.Picking Up Feces <br />2.Controlling aggressive dogs <br />3.Leash Requirements, if any <br />4.Required removal of dogs from leashes in the off-leash boundary (keeping them leashed <br />can cause aggressive behavior) <br />5.Dogs should be licensed and vaccinated to be allowed in the dog park <br />6.Children should be supervised at all times while in the dog park <br />7.Any other special information such as emergency contact info <br />A risk management memo outlining the above information is included (Attachment A). <br />Rules/Signs <br />The PTRC is NOT recommending providing bags. This becomes a maintenance issue if bags <br />run out and therefore, it is the recommendation of the PTRC to provide a mail box where owners <br />can provide extra bags for other owners but it is the responsibility of the dog owner to bring their <br />own bags. <br />Suggested rules: <br />1.Keep your dog in sight and under voice control at all times. <br />2.Clean up and dispose of feces left by your dogin the provided barrels. Owners must <br />possess a bagfor removal of feces. <br />3.Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated. <br />4.No aggressive dogs allowed. If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, leash it and <br />leave immediately. <br />5.Female dogs in heat and dogs under the age of four months are prohibited. <br />27 <br />Page of <br />