Dog owners press city to allow privately supplied wading pools after Parks Department ban

Several Anacortes residents used the public comment period on July 21 to urge the City Council to reverse a Parks Department rule banning privately provided wading pools at the Ace of Hearts Dog Park.

Bill Turner, a longtime park user, told council the ban was imposed after a single complaint and that earlier explanations invoking contamination concerns were "untrue." Turner said the pools have been used safely for about 20 years and estimated "200 dogs and owners a week at a minimum" use the park. He described the Parks Department's decision as "autocratic" and urged council to listen to park users.

Mark Robinson, who also addressed council, said park users provided a memorandum of agreement and raised concerns directly with parks staff but had received no substantive response. Robinson disputed the Parks Department's health concerns, saying the city's water disinfectant would address the pathogens the department cited and that the ban would put dogs at risk from summer heat. He told council, "This 1 just won't hunt," and warned the city that owners would hold the city responsible for heat-related harm if the pools remain banned.

Nut graf: Dog owners say the small, privately provided wading pools have historically provided an affordable, ad-hoc way for animals to cool off during hot weather and that the department's ban lacks a transparent, evidence-based rationale. Council and staff said they would continue discussions to find an acceptable solution.

Council response: Mayor Miller acknowledged the testimony and told speakers staff were "continuing to have a conversation, to try to come up with a solution." No council action or vote was taken at the July 21 meeting; staff indicated further engagement with parks users would continue.

Ending: Staff said it would follow up with park users and report back to council; speakers urged a quick resolution given summer temperatures.