Eight sites proposed for dog-friendly parks in Logan

A proposal suggesting eight sites for dog-friendly parks throughout Logan was submitted to the Municipal Council last week by the Parks and Recreation Department.

The proposed sites include Jens Johansen Park, Jones Neighborhood Park, Kilowatt Park, Logan Meadows Park, Pioneer Park, Ray Hugie Hydro Park, the west pond area of Rendezvous Park and the east lawn of the Logan Service Center.

If approved by the Municipal Council, the eight parks will go through a 12-month pilot program. During the pilot program, the parks will be monitored to ensure dogs are licensed, attended, under voice control and that their waste is properly bagged.

Two of the parks from the previous proposal have been eliminated-- Lundstrom Park and Dahle Park. According to the director of the Parks and Recreation Department, Russ Akina, the elimination is because of public input.

“It’s really a matter of what the council will approve,” Akina said. “It’s possible that the sites wind up being on-leash only.”

Jeannie Simmonds, the Logan Municipal Council chair, has previously expressed interest in making the majority of the parks on-leash.

“There may be some interest in a few changes,” Simmonds said, “but we will do that during the hearing.”

One of the concerns raised at public input meetings is the safety of off-leash dogs.

Logan City Animal Control officer Bryan Lay said because there are only three animal control officers, they can’t be at every park enforcing the rules all the time.

Lay said  at the current enclosed dog park, Rendezvous Park, he has received several reports of dog fights and bites

“It’s probably something that will occur every now and then if they just allow off-leash,” Lay said. “Their teeth aren’t for eating salad.”

A public hearing for the proposal will be held on March 5 after which the council will vote on the proposal.