People packed a park board meeting in Minnetonka Wednesday night concerned about the city’s plan to create fenced-in, off-leash dog areas.
The designated areas are expected to be in place by May 19 – that’s when the city council’s new ordinance kicks in. It approved the change last year that only allows dogs to be unleashed in designated areas – a stark contrast to the many places where dogs have unofficially been able to run freely for years.
That includes the city’s largest park, called Purgatory Park. The park board is proposing two off-leash areas that together total about 17 acres in the 155-acre park.
“I love it as a dog owner, I love it as a Minnetonka citizen and just would love to figure out one way we can have these unique areas,” said dog owner Anne Swanson, who frequents Purgatory Park often and would hate to lose the open space.
The plan is part of the city’s larger master park strategy. It will also be considering designated areas over the next few years at its four other parks. The change comes after the city’s Park and Trail Project Manager Matt Kumka identified “conflicts”.
“Through that surveying process, we identified some consternation, some disagreement of park use in general, so it kicked off the whole conversation,” said Kumka.
The city created an advisory group that included community members to develop guidance for off-leash areas, including using soft and hard barriers. The group has met three times since January.
“We’re trying to find a compromise in our community to make sure people feel welcomed in the park system but also can get outside with their loved ones, with their pets, and experience the beautiful nature in our parks,” said Kumka.
“It’s just such a unique park with natural barriers,” said Swanson.
The board finalized some recommendations at its Wednesday meeting that will now be sent to the city council. It will then be taken up by the council at its next meeting on May 5.
