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Board hears Southgate Farm report; staff warns about new state 'Avery's Law' leash/enforcement impacts
Summary
The board heard the Southgate Farm annual report (barn capacity, fencing, events) and staff warned that a state statute known as 'Avery's Law' expands vicious-dog provisions; staff urged education and potential coordination with the sheriff's office because enforcement and local ordinance alignment are unclear.
The Green City Parks and Recreation Board received the Southgate Farm annual update on March 4 and discussed on-site management, wayfinding signage and public-safety issues related to dogs and vehicles.
Committee member (S4) summarized the farm’s annual review, saying the operation is entering its seventh season, added a student assistant, and continues to update fences to keep animals secure; the barn’s event capacity was described as about "47 people" without major renovations. "They're excited and hopeful to keep growing and getting better," S4 said.
Staff member (S5) raised concerns about dog control in parks following a change in state law. "It's called Avery's Law, and it expands the vicious dog laws," S5 said, adding that the law increases the speed at which authorities can remove threatening animals and that staff discussed the possibility the animal could be euthanized quickly in some cases. S5 said the department will emphasize public education, produce brochures for park users, and has contacted the law department to determine whether local ordinances need to be updated to align with state law.
S5 said the department plans to coordinate outreach with the sheriff's office because "this new law is becoming effect and people don't know," and warned that enforcement remains a practical challenge: "The biggest thing is enforcement, and we're not quite sure how we're gonna do that." The board agreed staff should follow up on signage and gate management procedures at Southgate Farm to reduce after-dark access and limit vehicles beyond the parking area.
The discussion combined operational details (fencing, events and visitor capacity), enforcement concerns arising from state statute changes, and the department's plan for education and possible ordinance reviews. Staff said they would circulate the Southgate Farm annual report to board members and follow up on signage and gate procedures.
