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Volunteers urge seasonal signs, path and outreach after two dogs die on ice at Morehead Park
Summary
Volunteers and city staff outlined a plan for temporary seasonal signage, pop-up education events and a future permanent sign at Morehead Park after two dogs died on thin ice; volunteers will fund and install temporary signs and plan a GoFundMe for a dedicated signboard.
Erin Green, founder of the volunteer group Theo’s Legacy and Friends of Morad, told the council that two dogs died after running onto thin ice at Morehead Park and described the loss of her dog Theo as ‘‘soul crushing.’’ Green said volunteers want approval to install temporary seasonal signs along the river, provide educational pop-ups and raise funds for a permanent signboard.
City parks staff recounted actions taken after the February incidents: placement of five variable-message sign boards at multiple parks, news releases and social-media warnings, and distribution of water-and-ice-safety literature to new pet adopters through Metro Animal Services. Staff said they have worked with Green’s group since April 2025 and recommended a seasonal outreach window (roughly Dec. 15–Mar. 15) and targeted deployment of a variable-message board at Morehead Park during thin-ice periods.
Green said volunteers would design, pay for and install about nine temporary signs using existing fence posts and remove them after the thaw. The group also plans to launch a GoFundMe on Feb. 14, 2026, to purchase a permanent signboard. Other volunteer proposals included a pet-etiquette sign near the boat launch, an additional dog-waste station, a possible vehicular stop sign or mirror at the park entrance, and adding road base to create an interior path that would keep walkers away from the river.
Both volunteers and staff said life rings and similar rescue equipment are not a safe or viable solution for icy-water incidents. City staff acknowledged some uncertainty about existing sign language at nearby McKenzie Dog Park and said they would review current wording to avoid duplication and to finalize the temporary sign language with the volunteer group.
Council members and staff expressed support for the public–private partnership approach. With no objection from the council, staff said they would continue working with volunteers to finalize sign locations and language and coordinate installation and seasonal removal. The discussion closed with staff committing follow-up to confirm exact signage text and placement.
The immediate next steps: staff will work with volunteers to finalize language and sign locations; the volunteer group will launch a fundraising campaign on Feb. 14, 2026; and volunteers plan to install and later remove temporary seasonal signage during thin-ice periods. The council did not take a formal vote during the pre-meeting.
