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<br /> <br /> <br />Memo <br /> <br />To: Parks, Recreation and Environmental Commission <br />Members <br />From: Jason Hicks, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director <br />Subject: Dog Parks <br />Date: January 10, 2017 <br /> <br />It is estimated there are 3,100 dogs in New Brighton. Because of this large <br />number, a motion was passed at the November 2, 2016 Parks, Recreation and <br />Environmental Commission (PREC) to ask City Council for permission to <br />research the possibility of a dog park in New Brighton. Council voted to direct <br />PREC to research the possibility of a dog park in New Brighton at the January <br />10, 2017 City Council Meeting. <br /> <br />According to a directory that was last updated in 2013, there were 60 dog parks <br />in the metro area. These dog parks are all unique and offer different experiences <br />to the dogs and owners. From large multiple acre spaces to outdoor hockey <br />rinks, completely fenced with gate entry to unfenced spaces, one area for all <br />dogs to separate areas for large and small dogs, each park takes on its own <br />identity and attracts loyal visitors. <br /> <br />There are six dog parks in the cities neighboring New Brighton. Ramsey County <br />operates the Rice Creek Regional Corridor Dog Park in Shoreview and the <br />Woodview Open Space Dog Park in Roseville. Anoka County operates the <br />Locke County Dog Park in Fridley. The City of Shoreview designates the outdoor <br />rinks at Bucher, Wilson and Bobby Theisen Park as off-leash areas in the off- <br />season. <br /> <br />A number of things that should be considered while researching dog park <br />locations. The first is a location that has enough space to acc ommodate the <br />amount of usage. From discussion with others that operate dog parks, a <br />minimum of one acre would be the preferable size. For reference, an acre is <br />approximately the size of a football field. The second item that needs to be <br />considered is the distance from residences. There are two reasons for this, the <br />first is that dogs will bark, and this noise should not impact the neighbors. The <br />second is it will bring additional traffic to the park. Other considerations include