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City seeks neighborhood input on off‑leash hours; Memorial Park opponents highlight safety concerns
Summary
City staff circulated a district‑specific questionnaire on off‑leash hours and will forward district feedback to the city council for a June work meeting. Public commenters, including a resident whose child was frightened by off‑leash dogs, urged preserving Memorial Park’s contemplative character and opposed off‑leash hours there.
Provo City staff distributed a District‑specific questionnaire asking residents whether they support off‑leash hours in parks and encouraged those who had previously emailed the council to indicate their neighborhood so responses are tallied correctly.
Malia Daley (council staff) said elected officials will consider aggregated district feedback at a June 17 council work meeting and that the district survey supplements, not supplants, prior public comments. Staff offered paper copies and an online QR code and said results from all districts will be compiled for council review.
During public comment, Elizabeth Molinaro of Memorial Park described multiple incidents in which off‑leash dogs frightened or jumped on a child in playground areas and argued that Memorial Park’s commemorative character and accessibility for veterans and people with disabilities mean it should remain leash‑only. "I love them, but I do love my child more," Molinaro said.
Board members acknowledged both the popularity of dog‑related topics and a desire for more designated fenced dog parks. Staff said paper surveys will be posted online and in the district newsletter. The city council will review all collected district input at the June work meeting before considering any policy changes.
What’s next: The questionnaire remains open; staff encouraged residents to reply to prior emails and to identify their district to ensure accurate compilation of feedback before the council’s June review.
