Question
Many citizens have been asking for more off-leash dog parks. We also get many complaints about the number of dogs off leash in City Park. In answer to both these issues Britta Herwig, the administrator for City Park, and I have been talking about having a limited hours, early morning and after work hours non-fenced area on the West side of the Museum on the lower meadow. It is a good potential space because it is away from main roads surrounding the park, is clear of pedestrian, bike and walking paths and has close access to parking.
There is a possibility that a fenced park in an underutilized area, not this area in front of the museum, but another more on the periphery of the park, might be possible. Just quickly the pros and cons are that a fenced area would be available at all hours the park is open but they tend to have turf problems and in fact it would more than likely not have grass in this area that would be about two acres, 2x the size of Fuller park. We also have a greater chance of getting a non-fenced park because of the costs of historic fencing that would be require for this park. Non-fence cost little more than signage and poo bag stations, dogs that are under voice control and increased animal control enforcement.

Do you support a dog park in City Park:

Would you prefer a fenced or unfenced area:

RESULTS

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Total Votes : 83
In Favor: 61	73%
Opposed: 18	21%
Fenced: 39	46%
Unfenced: 22	26%

COMMENTS

A specified area for dogs would prevent many off leash dogs in the rest of the park
Aesthetically, I don't think that I would like to see a fence in City Park.

Afraid that it will become a turd-laden, dust-generating stink hole.

City Park is not a suitable location for a dog park.

Dogs off leash are dangerous, even friendly dogs might bite the face off a child. I've seen it. Be careful!

either is good, the 2 parks I go to my dogs don't enjoy, definately need more, it's a dogs world in Denver. It is good exercise for animal and person. gets people off the couch having a dog,I have learned!!!

Fenced areas leave less opportunity for conflicts and is safer.

fenced or unfenced - either way as long as there is grass. If fenced, maybe separation between large and small dogs

fenced would ruin the place of all other users the rest of the time and it would be ugly bare right outside the museum, leave it unfenced

Fuller and Berkley dog parks could use an upgrade to a better sand mix such as that used at Stapleton. Weed contol also makes it easier to clean up after the dogs.

I am not a dog owner. I understand the need of dog parks but do not want to have dogs running freely when I am biking in City Park. I think the fence helps the dogs and me. I also feel that if the owners can not clean up the poo then it is in the fenced area and not all over the park.

I am very opposed to unfenced, off leash dog parks in Denver. My toddler has twice been knocked down by dogs (unlawfully) off leash in Denver parks. Luckily, both of the dogs that ran over my son were friendly, but the point is that their owners weren't able to control them, nor was I able to get between them and my kid before they bowled him over. Dogs are important, but child safety should come first.

I favor the unfenced, as long as there is a way to enforce limited hours. Thank you, Carla, for your detailed discussion in your newsletter. I have changed my mind from totally against to in favor. Catherine Cray, Park Hill

I often run in City Park and there are already many dogs off-leash. Many times dogs have run up to me, only to have their owners tell me that it is okay, their dogs are friendly. I don't want to have to run around dogs. If dogs are approaching me when there is no official off-leash policy in the park, what will happen when it is official? Who will supervise these dog owners? I also don't want to see more dog mess lying around. If dogs owners have to have a place to let their dogs run, fence it in and contain the dogs and the mess.

I own a dog and respect other's who want to feel safe.

I prefer the dog park more in the direction of the clayton neighborhood. fenced dog parks allows for an area for my border collie to run and not risk getting a ticket to do so

I saw a small child attacked by a aggressive dog and this was enough for me to know dogs need to be on leashes (including my own dog). There are too many people at City Park.

I want an off-leash park ONLY if it is fenced. The myriad of legal issues surrounding loose dogs running into traffic along the surrounding streets not to mention unleashed dogs running up to leashed dogs, makes an unfenced park is disaster waiting to happen.

I would like the city to look into artificial turf options for fenced dog parks also. Not having turf in the fenced parks makes them less attractive to look at and to use. Thanks!

If this is sucessfully done in Central Park in NYC, we should be able to do it here. All said and done, currently, Denver is not that dog friendly of a city.

I'm not crazy about the idea but don't mind one if it is fenced and if leash laws are strongly enforced outside of the fenced area. I support fenced dog parks but strongly oppose urban unfenced areas because: Voice control is not 100% reliable and my dog

No -I am elderly and I can't tell you how many times dogs off leases almost knock me down. People are irreponsible pet owners. They also don't clean up after their dogs - we don't need to encourage it. City park is also a Federally mandated wildlife refuge - more dogs off leases mean more geese killed.

The more dog parks the better, Thanks Carla for everything you do! Jeff Thormodsgaard

The only suggestion I have is to use some form of really hearty grass or other material, as the dog park in Whittier is always a dirt pit due to the significant use.

There are a ton of dogs in City Park and it would be an excellent use of space to have a dog park or unleashed dog hours in the park.

Unfenced dog areas are self-regulating. Owners who have put time and effort into training their dogs end up with WELL BEHAVED DOGS who are generally not a nuisance. These dogs are not aggressive and are not wanting to "run loose". They just want to stretch

Unfenced makes no sense. My obedience trained dogs will still chase a squirrel unless stopped by a fence.

We desperately need a dog park in Central Denver.. why not Cheesman Park as well? It already is a dog park at 5 pm each night and my dogs love it...

I think that a fenced area feels safer for non-dog walkers, but would support either. We need more off-leash areas in the city to especially accomodate the elderly or physically challenged individuals exercise of their companion animals. My concern with the unfenced area is the very limited hours of operation, as it does not necessairly meet the needs of all working individuals as proposed.

I have been bit several times while running in City Park by dogs that have been leashed and not leashed. I don't find dog owners to be all that considerate of the rest of the public!

City Park is absolutely no place for a dog park no matter whether it is fenced or not or where it is located. City Park is stressed enough being a festival park and getting incredible usage just from the neighbors. DO NOT PUT A DOG PARK IN CITY PARK.

Please do NOT implement off-leash areas in City Park (or ANY park). Instead, please increase enforcement of current leash laws!! The number of dogs running loose in City Park is already frightening enough without giving dog owners another excuse to be irresponsible.

City Park is stressed enough as is. Offleash dogs have significant impacts on a park. It is not appropriate for our crown jewel park to house an offleash dog area. Please REJECT this idea! Thank you.

I do not want a dog park in City Park. Look at Berkeley Park, it looks terrible!

I do not believe City Park is an optimal location for a dog park and I would encourage rejection of such an idea, and consideration for other more appropriate locations for such a use. City Park CANNOT be "all things for all people and uses!" Dog park usage is inappropriate for City Park and would detract from that "pearl of Denver!"