Title
RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING RILEY ROAD PROPERTY AS A SITE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EAST DULUTH DOG PARK.
Body
BY COUNCILORS SIPRESS AND JULSRUD:
WHEREAS, in response to a need for off-leash dog exercise areas, the city council approved Keene Creek and Riley Road in 2005 as acceptable sites for dog parks based on recommendations from the parks and recreation commission and city staff (05-689R); and
WHEREAS, the city established a dog park on the Keene Creek site, but was unable to utilize the Riley Road site because the city’s permit application was denied; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the city council requested the parks and recreation commission review possible locations for additional dog parks in central and eastern Duluth (13-0101R); and
WHEREAS, the commission recommended Russell Square and Observation Park be considered as possible dog park sites. The city established a dog park at the Observation Park site, but not at Russell Square; and
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2015, the state of Minnesota office of administrative hearings approved annexation by the city of Duluth of a portion of Rice Lake township, including the Riley Road site; and
WHEREAS, on August 12, 2015, after receiving a petition with over 500 signatures and public comments, the parks and recreation commission unanimously recommended locating a dog park at the Riley Road site; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Riley Road site allows for a 4 acre dog park with a walking trail and two fenced-in areas for unleashed small and large dogs. It is anticipated that private donors will finance the cost of creating and maintaining the dog park with the city creating a gravel parking area.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the city council hereby identifies the Riley Road site, as shown in attachment A, as a location for a city dog park and requests that the city administration take the necessary steps to begin developing the dog park.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution identifies the Riley Road site as suitable area for an east Duluth dog park.