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Council discusses Colgate Park dog park; residents raise concerns about abandonment and security
Summary
Council discussed siting a two-section dog park at Colgate Park and options including sponsorship, key-fob access and cameras. Resident speakers warned that dog parks can attract abandoned animals and urged measures—cameras, signage, timed access—to deter abandonment.
Council and parks staff discussed a proposal to locate a dog park at Colgate Park with two sections (small and large dogs) and recommended volunteer and sponsorship options to support operations. Parks staff said Colgate is underused for much of the year and can accommodate a dog park; council members suggested seeking corporate or veterinary sponsorships, timed key-fob access and volunteer management to reduce costs.
Resident Jen Budd, who identified herself from 301 South Clark Boulevard, told the council that fenced dog parks often become a first stop for people abandoning dogs and urged staff to include staffing, video monitoring and signage in planning. "One of the common problems with dog parks, as you probably know, is people abandoning dogs in dog parks," she said. Council members and staff agreed to explore security measures, sponsor outreach and a possible key-fob lock system before returning the item with options for funding and access control.
