HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Dog Park Committee - 05/15/2019
South Burlington Dog Park Commi ee
APPROVED
Public Forum
7PM-8:30PM
May 15, 2019
Present: Barb Sirvis (at large), Elizabeth (Be y) Milizia (at-large), Linda Chiasson (NRC), Mike Simoneau (RPC),
Maggie Leugers, (staff)
1. Members of the public: Kate Lukas, Muriel More, Molly Bezio, Joya Bea e, Kim Gamach Steve Milizia,
Liz St. James, Paul St. James, Robin Cruz, Terry Woodard, Erin Werthieb, Michael Mi ag, Don Balcom,
Dianna Woodruff, Dorothy Pumo, Sarah Dopp, Sharon Laub, Kelly Sameds, Penne Tomplus, Janet
Bellavance, David Coggin-Carr, Michael Coggin-Carr, Debbie Laresa, Gary Glide, Sharon Glide, Jennifer
Alberts, Jennifer Kochman, Mathew Hallender, Ellen Biddle, Becky , Pat McGovern, Jean Maloney, Dan
Albrecht, Helen Riehle, Tim Barri , Pat Waterman, Carol McQuillen, and Becky
2. Safety Procedures: Maggie directed the group to side doors and into side parking lot in-case of an
Emergency.
3. Mission Statement: Barb S reviewed statement (refer to Public Forum PPT)
4. Why Dog Parks? Be y M explained (refer to Public Forum PPT)
5. Commi ee Process? Linda C explained process (refer to Public Forum PPT)
6. Loca on, Loca on: Mike S explained NEW loca on at Wheeler Homestead. He commended commi ee
on being diligent and transparency with public and keeping RPC, DPW and Rec. Director, City
Administra on and City Council informed of process and recommenda ons.
7. Site Selec on Criteria Matrix: Barb S explained in basic terms the importance of criteria as guidelines in
process
8. DRAFT NEW Loca on: Mike S described Wheeler Homestead Area Barb S. explained that o en dogs
with owners walk in nature area off-leash and that is NEW Dog Park would help alleviate problem (refer
to Public Forum PPT)
Community member applauded commi ee for site selec on and would like to have it larger than 1.5ac.
Public expressed need to have area larger than 1.5 ac and ADA accessible.
9. Farrell Dog Park: Public a ending forum agreed this off-leash Dog Park is in need of several upgrades.
Very wet, entrance muddy, no shade, no water and be er warning signage for bikers coming down
bike/pedestrian path and reminding users to cross bike path with cau on.
10. Phase I Farrell (use PPT slide) concern about maintenance there…lots of concerns at this site and safety
of crossing to Dog Park with bikes and pedestrians. (refer to Public Forum PPT)
11. Ameni es Phase I Wheeler Homestead: Barb S. (refer to Public Forum PPT)
Public concerned about height of fence Barb S. explained it would be minimum 5’ so dogs can’t jump
over it. Concern about restrooms being too far away at Vet Park.
Wheeler Conserva on Area? (refer to Public Forum PPT)
A few from public asked about hours of opera ons
Barb S explained DPC considering dawn/dusk.
12. Cost Es mate: Barb explained and public in full support of funds needed. (refer to Public Forum PPT)
13. Fee Structure: Barb explained. Public concerned on how to get more dogs registered. How could city do
this and manage this? Addi onal discussion about having fee for non-residence use? Barb S. explained
research done Chi enden Co with other Dog Parks and none have addi onal charges. (refer to Public
Forum PPT)
Mul -dog discounts discussed but discouraged by DPC
Public applauded understanding where licensed fees go towards and willing to pay more in support of
improvements and sustainability of Off-leash SoBu Dog Parks.
14. Organiza onal Structure:
Public favorable towards structure put forth. (refer to Public Forum PPT)
15. Friends of the Dog Park: Be y M explained desired need for fundraising and volunteer support to
Recrea on/Parks Department. She suggested that this group would be addi onal “Eyes and Ears”
volunteer support. She gave some examples of what a Friends group could do: Se ng up a Facebook
page, fundraising, in-kind support, sugges ons on program offering and resources.
(refer to Public Forum PPT)
16. What do you the public want the DPC to know?
· TWO acres (old Burlington site good)
· Entry at ADA-accessible point
· Fence must be high/tall (5 feet)
· Restrooms?
· Maintenance frequency at least weekly
· Addi onal ligh ng?
· Hours need to support dog owners who are only free in evenings
· Issue at Jaycee with people/children climbing fence
· Bike path at Farrell needs signage
· How do we get more dogs registered?
o Can landlords be made to tell city if people have dogs?
o Can we incen vize vets to register dogs?
o Can City adver se where the fee goes?
o Consider mul -dog registra on discount
· Reconsider picnic tables and make space larger
· “Friends of the Dog Parks”
o Membership fee
o Business sponsorships
· Consider larger small dog space
Please refer to the Public Forum PPT presenta on for detailed informa on.
Respec vely submi ed by Clerk: Maggie Leugers