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Council names Rotary Park dog-area "Sandy Toes Beach," approves off‑leash pilot and amends city code
Summary
Council approved naming the Rotary Park southwest beach 'Sandy Toes Beach' and adopted a municipal code amendment permitting a designated off‑leash area during specified times; the naming motion passed 6–1 and the code amendment passed 7–0.
Bullhead City Council on Sept. 2 approved the name "Sandy Toes Beach" for the southwest beach area of Rotary Park and adopted a municipal code amendment to permit a designated leash‑free area in the park during posted hours.
The naming motion — which included administrative approval of the pilot rules for the dog area — passed 6–1. Staff later presented and council adopted an ordinance amendment to Bullhead City Municipal Code section 6.08.040 (running at large) and a companion resolution declaring the code change a public record; that ordinance vote passed 7–0.
Staff told the council the action establishes one designated off‑leash area (the Rotary Park southwest beach) while keeping leash requirements in effect for other parks and park areas. The approved administrative rules (adopted as part of the naming item) set operating parameters for the pilot: dogs may be off-leash only within the designated area during posted hours and owners must maintain control, meet vaccination requirements and follow posted rules. The council and staff said most operational details are administrative and may be adjusted as the pilot is monitored.
Public comment emphasized the need for owner control and safety. Scotty (self‑identified as "Scotty from Bullhead") warned the council that owners must maintain command and control and suggested training or certification for owners whose dogs will use an off‑leash area. John Reed urged the council to clarify exemptions for service animals; staff replied that recognized service animals remain exempt from leash restrictions where applicable, and the ordinance language was presented as narrowly targeted to the pilot area and times.
Why it matters: The change creates a legal exception to the leash rule in a single, posted area and will be treated as a pilot to allow the city to monitor safety, enforcement and community response before making longer-term code changes.
Ending: The code amendment (ordinance No. 2025-58) and the accompanying resolution were adopted Sept. 2; staff will manage the pilot and return updates as needed.
