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Layton council hears heated debate over East Ridge off‑leash plan, directs staff to study Andy Adams alternative
Summary
After hours of council debate and public comment, Layton councilors signaled they do not have consensus to place a permanent off‑leash dog park in East Ridge Nature Park and asked parks staff for cost and timeline estimates to convert part of Andy Adams Park into a fenced off‑leash area.
Councilors spent the bulk of their June 4 meeting discussing whether an off‑leash dog area should be sited in the East Ridge Nature Park or at an alternate location. Council member (Speaker 2) and others said prior work on the issue had been public but that particulars had not been finalized; several councilors emphasized they wanted a deliberate, safety‑minded approach rather than an immediate full conversion of East Ridge.
The council heard extended public comment from nearby residents and stakeholders. Opponents raised concerns about wildlife, water quality and trespass, citing Utah code provisions on dogs and livestock and arguing that an East Ridge off‑leash area could disturb deer and other wildlife (resident Sherry Wade, Speaker 20; resident Michael Hills, Speaker 25). Supporters and other residents urged the city to provide an off‑leash amenity for residents who now travel to neighboring cities, saying a local dog park responds to changing housing patterns and water constraints (resident Ian Bowles, Speaker 21). The Davis County director of animal care (Speaker 10) offered technical assistance and statistics to inform the city’s design and safety plans.
Parks staff (Speaker 19) told the council that the tentative budget funds design and construction documents for East Ridge, but that the earliest realistic construction timeline could be a year or more. Staff said the fastest way to offer a fenced off‑leash area would be to retrofit the lower portion of Andy Adams Park, which already has parking and restrooms; they committed to bring back cost estimates and scope options for Andy Adams.
After discussion, a majority of council members signaled they do not favor placing a permanent, large off‑leash area within the East Ridge Nature Park as proposed and instead asked staff to return with numbers and options for Andy Adams and other candidate sites. No formal policy was adopted at the meeting; staff will report cost and timeline estimates at a future meeting.
