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MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
Battle Creek Off-Leash Dog Area
Thursday, March 1, 2012 | 6:30 p.m.
at the Battle Creek Recreation Center | 75 South Winthrop
Please join us to discuss the following topics:
This is an open meeting. RSVP's are not needed.
Winter at the Off Leash Dog Areas
The Ramsey County Off Leash Dog areas are open daily from ½ before sunrise to ½ after sunset.
After a snowfall Parks maintenance crews remove all of the snow from arenas, Tamarack Nature Center and then groom the Cross Country Ski trails. Parks crews will get to the off leash area parking lots as quick as they can, but please keep in mind that seasonal staff are reduced in the winter. In addition, Parks has seen a decrease in full time staff due to County budget reductions.
Trash is emptied on Mondays and Fridays, weather and snow removal permitting.
County staff do not remove snow at the entrances; however the County provides shovels for volunteers to remove snow at the entrance gates.
The County does not provide salt or sand for parking lots or walkways for the safety of the dogs paws; however, some locations have requested “chicken grit” (a ground rock product) to assist with icy areas. Volunteers may spread this product. Please keep in mind that there can be many slippery areas due to freeze thaw cycles and that individuals use the off leash areas at their own risk.
Parking at Otter Lake
The parking lot/boat launch renovation is still not completed at Otter Lake due to the establishment of the hydroseeded areas. Parking will be extremely limited this winter and once the plantings have become established the areas will be re-opened. Please keep your pets off of the newly seeded areas. Parks cannot store snow on these areas, so many parking spots will be used for snow storage this year only.
Otter Lake Regional Park - Boat Launch and Restroom Building Redevelopment Project - Concept Plan
The Boat launch and parking for the off-leash dog area will be closed mid September 2011-November 2011. The boat launch may have periodic periods where it may be used. Check back for construction updates. The off-leash dog area main entrance gate will be available for foot traffic. Parking can be accommodated on the shoulder of Otter Lake Road, south of the areas marked with “No Parking” signs.
Woodview Site
Updated: Small Dog Play Time
Tue 6-7PM | Thu 5-6 PM | Sat 10-11 AM | Sun 1-2 PM
Designated Primary ADA Accessible Off-Leash Area
Woodview has been designated by Ramsey County Parks to be the primary ADA Accessible Off-Leash area. Therefore, guests with Service Dogs are permitted access at all open times with any size service dog.
Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. This federal law applies to all businesses open to the public, including restaurants, hotels, taxis and shuttles, grocery and department stores, hospitals and medical offices, theaters, health clubs, parks, and zoos. For more information please visit this link http://www.ada.gov/svcanimb.htm
What are they?
An "off-leash area" means any area designated by a governing body within which dogs, under the effective control of their owners, keepers or guardians, may be off leash.
Off-leash dog areas:
- Provide an opportunity for dogs to exercise and socialize
- Vary in size and characteristics and have different terrains
- Have amenities that make it clear that dogs are invited, not just permitted
- May include pathways, benches or picnic tables.
Dog Park Guardian Program Information
Off-leash dog areas are located at Rice Creek Regional Trail Corridor in Shoreview, Lower Afton area of Battle Creek Regional Park in Maplewood, Woodview Open Space site in Roseville, and Otter Lake Regional Park in White Bear Township. Acreage of the sites is estimated.
What is socialization? To be social means to be accepting and comfortable with the culture and behaviors of a community. Our dogs are forced to live within our human community, with human behaviors, and the sights and sounds of our culture. It is our responsibility to socialize our dogs so they can feel relaxed and not threatened as they go through life in our world. Read more
Due to many complaints from the public the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department will be stepping up its enforcement of off-leash dogs in the parks. Ramsey County Parks Ordinance states:
Ramsey County Ordinance sets conditions for pets in our parks to ensure the enjoyment and safety of all park users and preserve the natural resources.
Chapter III, Section T—Pets in Parks
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
1. Cause or allow any pet to roam or be at large in any park;
2. Allow a pet, except guide animals to assist a blind or impaired person, to enter any beach area, picnic area, nature interpretive area, wildlife refuge, golf course, park building or park shelter;
3. Bring a pet into an authorized area of a park unless caged or on a leash not more than six (6) feet in length, except in a designated pet exercise or training area;
4. Allow a pet to disturb, harass or interfere with any park visitor, park visitor’s property or park employee;
5. Tether any animal to a tree, plant, building or park equipment;
6. Have custody or control of any pet in a park without possessing and using an appropriate device for cleaning up pet feces and disposing of the feces in a sanitary manner; or
7. Allow any pet or domestic animal to graze or browse in any park.
A person guilty of violating this ordinance shall be punished by a fine of not more than $700, together with taxable costs, or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 90 days, or both.
