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Residents Split Over Park Policy on Pets: Owners Want More Options; Others Worry About Children

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 June 2006, 03:00 CDT

By Sarah Larimer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Jun. 13--Waukesha -- Deciding whether to unleash pet owners and allow dogs to roam city parks divided about 20 residents at a Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board meeting on the proposal Monday night.

The board is considering the merits of changing a city ordinance that prohibits dogs in parks and recommending a more pet-friendly policy.

Ron Grall, city director of parks, recreation and forestry, said the park board debate focuses on amendments to allow for stricter enforcement, allowing dogs on leashes in some parks and permitting dogs to run without leashes in some locations.

Unsanitary conditions concerned resident Carl Hansen, who told the board that he doesn't want dogs in areas used by children.

"In the parks, where you've got the playground equipment, absolutely not. No way. I don't want anybody running a dog there," Hansen said.

Dog owner Mike Mnichowicz said he attended the meeting to defend his dog, Smacky, and other city dogs.

"I pay taxes. I don't send children to school. I pay taxes for these parks. I should be entitled to use them," Mnichowicz said. "I'm not asking to use every park. The reason there are dogs in the park right now is because there is nowhere else to go."

Current and former city officials were in the audience for the discussion as well. Former Ald. James Ripplinger said he has had trouble getting residents to follow the current ordinance that prohibits dogs in parks.

Ald. Emanuele Vitale said that he thought playgrounds and picnic areas should be dog-free.

"I don't believe any park that has a shelter, picnic area, playground equipment should have dogs at all, because of the children," Vitale said. "We may have some areas in some of our parks that are open areas, and you may want to allow that for a dog to run, but they should be on a leash and not run loose."

The seven city parks considered in the proposal are Grede / Bethesda, Rivers Crossing, River Valley, Pebble Valley, Merrill Crest North, and Fox River Parkway North and South.

Property acquisitions

The board also discussed the acquisition of three pieces of property. It accepted a donation from Bielinski Homes of 31.8 acres that connect two other city parks -- the MacArthur Dog Run and Pebble Creek Park.

The board also decided to continue to explore the conditions of the possible purchase of 14.5 acres adjacent to the department's building, and discussed the potential acquisition of a former missile launch site off E. Broadway.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. June 29 to continue discussion and allow for more community input.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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