Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Open Space topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press Westminster for clearer dog-park closures and signage after burrowing owl nesting
Summary
Residents and the Dog Park Guardians told council that makeshift barriers around a burrowing-owl nest have been confusing and lack informational signage; staff said operations manager would follow up and additional signs are in production.
Several residents urged Westminster officials on June 8 to improve trail signage and closures at a dog park after a pair of burrowing owls nested in the area.
Tonia Yost of the Dog Park Guardians described inconsistent barriers and the absence of posted informational signage in the park: “There’s nothing posted providing any information about the need to protect the owls,” she said, adding volunteers have spent more than 30 hours educating park users. Cindy Stout, a member of the planning advisory committee, showed a handout and said an owl buffer is expected to be about 660 feet in all directions and flagged social trails leading into the nesting area that staff should close or detour.
City Manager Andrews said staff heard the concerns and that Alex Reeves, operations manager for Parks, Recreation and Libraries, was taking notes and would follow up with the Guardians. Operations manager Reeves explained the buffer will use a combination of physical barriers and signage and that additional signage has been sent for production.
Councilors pressed staff on barrier placement and communications; staff committed to follow-up and to improving clarity of closures and posted maps at trailheads and kiosks.
Next steps: staff will contact the Dog Park Guardians with follow-up details, install additional signage when available, and review barrier placement and detour maps.
