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Committee backs bill letting Parks designate animal-free areas and raising fines to $2,000
Summary
The committee voted to report a bill that would let the Department of Parks and Recreation designate parks and recreation centers as animal-free areas, set penalties up to $2,000 and require staffing and signage; testimony and public comment emphasized enforcement challenges and the need for more park rangers.
The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs on a voice vote reported favorably a bill that would authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to designate certain parks and recreation centers as animal-free areas and impose penalties of up to $2,000 for violations.
Deputy Commissioner Leanne Campbell read Commissioner Susan Slauson’s testimony and told the committee that the measure would allow the department to manage animal-free sites and adopt related rules. “The full implementation of this ordinance would require hiring more staff and posting appropriate signage, which would necessitate additional appropriations as described in the fiscal note attached to my testimony,” Campbell said.
Committee members and witnesses emphasized enforcement limits and the practical burdens on recreation staff. Councilmember Jeffrey Young said playgrounds and fields are already dog-free in practice but that enforcement has been limited; Campbell said recreation leaders can serve as “the eyes and ears” but “they don’t have the authority to write tickets,” and that actual ticketing would rely on park rangers or the Philadelphia Police Department.
Brett Bessler, vice president and business agent for AFSCME District Council 47 Local 2186, representing recreation leaders and park ranger supervisors, told the committee that signs alone will not solve the problem. “These signs are all bark and no bite,” Bessler said. He urged a clearer enforcement plan and more rangers, noting that for fiscal year 2026 the department has 25 rangers budgeted to cover about 54 sites.
Councilmember Young asked whether signage could display the fine amount; Campbell said the fine “is intended to go on the signage” and that the fiscal note accounts for signage updates. The department and union witnesses repeatedly described the measure as a codification of existing rules with an increased penalty, not a stand-alone enforcement program.
The committee moved the bill out with a favorable recommendation and requested suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next council session. The motion carried on a voice vote.
