ANNA MARIA – Leashed dogs may soon be allowed in City Pier Park, but not during special events or holiday events, and not in the children’s playground.
The city commission may also consider installing a dog park at the city-owned park.
Commissioners discussed dog-related matters on Oct. 19 at the request of the Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z).
On Sept. 21, P&Z member Dusty Crane initiated a discussion about the City Pier Park dog prohibition that many residents were unaware of. In recent months, “No Dogs Allowed” signs appeared around the perimeter of the park. Similar signs are affixed to the City Pier Park children’s playground fence.
The signs reference city Ordinance 38-28, which states, “It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any domestic animal to allow or permit any such domestic animal on any beaches, coastal barrier, sand dunes or parks located within the city limits.”
The P&Z members unanimously directed Crane, a dog owner, to appear before the commission to request the ordinance be amended to allow dogs in City Pier Park while maintaining the pet prohibitions elsewhere.
When addressing the commission, Crane said, “Many residents and visitors were not aware of the prohibition of dogs in the park until the new signage was installed.”
She said dog owners would be responsible for keeping their leashed dogs under control when visiting the park and must pick up their dog’s waste. She said providing a dog waste station at the park would help keep the park clean. She added that those who don’t clean up after their dogs could be ticketed and fined under another city ordinance.
Crane said allowing dogs would improve the park experience for residents and visitors.
Commissioner Robert Kingan, a dog owner, asked Crane if nearby Bayfront Park was also part of the request. Crane said the board’s request pertained only to City Pier Park.
Mayor Dan Murphy asked if the dog allowance would remain in effect during the farmers market and other special and holiday events held at the park, some of which feature food being served.
“That’s a concern I have, especially the food,” he said.
Crane said she’d be okay if dogs remained prohibited during certain events and activities.
“If you want to put that into the amendment, that would be fine,” she said.
Kingan said it might be confusing to allow dogs in the park but prohibit them during certain events. He suggested installing a designated dog run or a fenced-in dog park that limits dogs to a specific area of the park.
Commissioner Charlie Salem said there’s enough space between the playground and the Lake La Vista canal for a dog park that would help attract more people to the park.
Dusty’s husband, Jon, is a member of the city commission. He said allowing dogs in the park would be good for the residents who walk their dogs in that area. He suggested asking the city attorney to draft an amended version of Ordinance 38-28 for future consideration.
Commission Chair Mark Short noted the commission was dealing with two separate issues – allowing dogs in the park and creating a dog park. Short suggested separating the two issues by first amending the ordinance to allow dogs in the park and then continuing the dog park discussion. He suggested the dog park could be included in the Reimagining Pine Avenue project.
The commission reached an informal consensus to move forward with amending the ordinance in a manner that would still prohibit dogs during certain park events and in the children’s playground.
During public input, city resident and dog owner John Kolojeski said, “I love your idea about a dog park.” He noted the nearest dog park is in Holmes Beach.
“It would be wonderfully convenient, but you’re going to have to appropriate for a fence and offer doggie bags and a repository for their waste. Thank you for thinking of it and thank you to our presenter,” Kolojeski said.
Murphy said more public input is needed before any final decisions are made.
“I think this requires a degree of public input as well. There are a lot of people that are totally opposed to this and they need to be heard from. And there are others who are totally in favor of it. We’ve only heard one side of it,” he said.
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