Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dog Park topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City delays opening Rolling Prairie dog park to 2026 amid grass, access and maintenance concerns
Summary
Portage staff recommended delaying opening of the Rolling Prairie Conservancy dog park until 2026 to allow prairie grasses and turf to establish, and discussed locked gates, maintenance service agreements, possible porta-potty and fee/enforcement options for nonresidents.
Portage City staff recommended the Parks and Recreation Committee delay opening the Rolling Prairie Conservancy dog park to 2026 to allow newly planted prairie grasses and turf to establish and to avoid muddy conditions that have affected other city dog parks.
The manager told the board the developer’s contractor planted prairie grasses under a one-year establishment plan and that the city will likely need a service agreement to manage weed control and prairie maintenance over time. The manager said, “My recommendation is to wait till 2026 to open this dog park,” citing expected spring wetness and the first full season for the planted grasses.
Staff described the site layout: separate small- and large-dog fenced areas, mowed trails outside the fenced areas, and multiple locked gates and service gates for mower access. Staff said the three gates into the fenced areas are padlocked to prevent public entry until the park is ready. Staff also reported the city still leases an adjacent portion of the land to a farming operator (referred to in the meeting as Evans), and that a plan is needed to prevent cars from driving down a service road near the parking lot prior to opening.
The committee discussed potential operational needs and options: a porta-potty versus a permanent restroom, park hours and signage, whether to keep the existing dog park open if the new park opens, and possible fee structures. Staff said current practice allows city residents with a licensed dog to use the park at no additional charge while nonresidents are expected to purchase a $30 yearly permit or pay a $3 daily fee. The manager and committee members also discussed adding small areas of pet-grade turf at high-traffic entrance points to reduce mud, installing benches and trees donated by a developer contact (Linda Gums), and scheduling volunteer cleanup days similar to practices in Dane County.
No formal action was taken; staff said they will return with a draft of dog-park rules and recommended hours in the spring and will continue coordinating maintenance and access plans.
