Carson supervisors approve roaming dogs in park

Unleashed dogs can now run free in Mayor's Park.

Carson City supervisors decided Thursday to allow an exemption in the park to the city's leash rule for a year trial period. The city's parks department will be working on schedules for when dogs can be off leash in the park.

Carson resident Sally Zola told supervisors she would prefer to see a trial for dogs on a leash in the park before dogs roaming free is allowed. Zola was concerned that dogs off leashes could hurt someone or could get hurt with the traffic on Koontz Lane.

"Everybody should be able to use that park and feel safe," Zola said.

Supervisor Pete Livermore said with the construction around Fuji Park, one of the city's two dog parks, he feels it is "responsible of us to at least give it a year trial."

Supervisors decided the exception would not extend to other parks for now.

"If this doesn't work, it will be changed or stopped immediately," Mayor Ray Masayko said.

The city will also provide receptacles for the disposal of dog droppings.

"The bottom line is this is a trial," Parks and Recreation Director Steve Kastens said. "We can all sit here and think what will happen, but we don't know."

In addition, supervisors appointed Claire Clift to a second term on the Carson River Advisory Committee. Clift is the committee's vice-chair and acts as the citizen-at-large member of the committee. One other applicant applied for the position.