Carson City looks at allowing dogs in Mayor's Park

Some Carson City residents are asking supervisors to allow dogs in a park other than Fuji or Riverview parks.

Residents living near Mayor's Park on Koontz Lane asked the city's parks and recreations commission to consider allowing dogs off leashes in the park. The park was built by the developer of the area and turned over to the city a few months ago, said Parks and Recreation Director Steve Kastens. Carson City mandates that dogs within the city are kept on leashes.

"We don't have many places in town where people can take their dogs," said Carson resident Victoria Williams. "We have a lot of people in this area who live on small parcels and (Mayor's Park) is the perfect place to take a dog."

Williams said the park is a natural place to turn into a dog park because it is also a water detention basin. The large, grassy area is used for children's soccer practice, but unlike nearby parks has no playground equipment.

"It's kind of natural," Williams said. "Dogs love to chase balls and with the sloping sides it lends itself to running. I don't know that all parks are conducive to this. It should be considered very carefully before its allowed in other parks."

Kastens said the parks and recreation commission recommended a trial period of a year for dogs in the park. He also said he didn't see the potential exception for dogs in Mayor's Park extending to other city parks. He agreed that the park is unique because it doesn't attract as many children as it would with playground equipment.

Parks Superintendent Scott Fahrenbruch said the city will provide a can for disposal of dog droppings at the park. It will be the users' job to police the park to make sure owners clean up after their pooches.

"If they don't use them, they'll fail the test," Fahrenbruch said. "It's a fairly confined space, and we'll monitor the situation closely."

Fahrenbruch said hours would be posted for people to keep their pets on leashes, especially when the area is being used for soccer practice.

Williams said she didn't think there would be a problem with users keeping the park clean of dog droppings.

"That's why it's a test period," she said. "Maybe the people who have tried to support this need to do one extra. People need to act responsibility, and it will be a test to see if they do."

Carson City supervisors will consider the proposal Thursday.

If you go:

What: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting

When: Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Where: the Community Center's Sierra Room, 851 E. William St.