Dog Off-leash Program
The purpose of the off-leash program is to provide opportunities for people to recreate with their dogs off-leash in locations throughout the community while balancing the interests of all park users. On January 6, 2009, the BMPRD Board of Directors directed staff to move forward with the development of the seven recommended off-leash sites in Bend. A summary of the program is below. To download the complete report given to the board of directors with maps click here.
Background
People in Bend have asked for places to recreate with
their dogs off-leash for many years. Until the fall of 2007,
City of Bend Ordinances prohibited dogs to be off-leash within
the Bend city limits except on private property. An amendment
to the dog-at-large city ordinance opened the door for Bend
Park and Recreation District and the City of Bend to work
together to meet the community's need for off-leash
opportunities. In May of 2008, a scientifically valid
survey of district residents found that off-leash recreation is
a highly desired park use that is not currently being met.
Timeline: It is the intention to open the off-leash areas below in the spring of 2009.
- Big Sky
- Riverbend Beach
- Ponderosa Community Park
- Pine Nursery Community Park
- Hollinshead Community Park
- Overturf Butte Reservoir
- Awbrey Resevoir
The site at High Desert (off Knott and 27th) is not being offered at this time. A condition of land use approval is to pave the parking area. This requirement makes the site disproportionately costly to develop and would negatively impact the extent to which other sites could be developed.
Site Descriptions: Fully fenced
1. Big Sky - BMPRD property located in NE Bend in the Big
Sky Sports Complex.
This is the only existing developed off-leash area in the
district and it is totally fenced. It is heavily used and
very popular. The intent is to expand use to the east of the
existing park area to provide an additional 5.7 acre of trail
and open space. Add to existing fencing on three sides to
discourage dogs from straying outside designated area.
2. Riverbend Beach - Located off Columbia St. in the Old Mill District adjacent to the new Riverbend Community Park, this land is owned by William Smith Properties and is being leased by Bend Park and Recreation. This site could accommodate both off-leash use and river access. The site will be fully fenced.
3. Ponderosa Community Park - Located at 225 SE 15th St., this older park was recently master planned to include off-leash use. Although funding for full redevelopment of the park is likely to be several years away, the off-leash area would be designated now to give SE residents access to off-leash recreation. The 4 acre off-leash site within the park would be located west of the ball field bleachers and include both turf and natural area as it is designed in the master plan. The site will be fully fenced.
4. Pine Nursery - Located on Purcell Rd. in NE Bend, this 17.7 acre site within the 159 acre Pine Nursery Community Park complex will accommodate both trail use and open recreation. The off-leash area will be fully fenced. Over time, as funds and community interests indicate, this could become a more traditional "dog park" with more than one turf area, trails and a water feature.
Site Descriptions: Partially fenced sites
5. Hollinshead Community Park - Located at 1235 NE Jones Rd. This off leash use area was changed based on public comment and to achieve congruency with the park's master plan. Under this proposal off-leash use would be allowed on the same side of the park as is the garden. Fences will provide a barrier to the rental area and help define the rental use area. Due to this park's unique characteristics, this off-leash area will be posted as a "trial area." Should conflicting use and/or park degradation occur, off-leash use could be discontinued.
6. Overturf Butte Reservoir - Located between Skyliner Summit Loop and NW 17th St. in NW Bend. In an effort to accommodate both off-leash use and restricted use, a 4.1 acre off-leash area will be designated within the 30 acre site. Fences will be installed on three sides to barricade dogs from easily visiting neighboring homes. The fourth side facing the interior of the property (see map below) will be marked by boundary markers.
7. Awbrey Reservoir - Located off 10th and Trenton in NW Bend. Five acres of this 10+ acre site will be designed for off leash recreation. Fences and boundary markers will define the site.
Regional Off-Leash Use:
In an effort to help provide off-leash recreation sites in our area, the district will be working with the US Forest Service to help them manage off leash use on designated federal lands. For example, the land west of Bend off Century Drive near Meadow Camp is legal to off-leash use but lacks some amenities that would improve it. BMRPD and USFS are working together to provide dog waste stations, garbage pick up and signs. Additionally, DogPAC, a local dog advocacy group, will be publishing a comprehensive brochure describing access and limitations in the region.
Off-leash Rules:
The intent of these rules is to create a safe and enjoyable
atmosphere for all park users.
Hours: Off-leash areas will be open during regular park
hours of 5:00 am - 10:00 pm.
Handlers must:
• Keep dogs on leash outside designated off-leash
areas.
• Pick up and dispose of your dog's waste.
• Carry a leash for each dog in your care.
• Closely supervise young children. Children under
the age of 12 may not be in the off-leash area
unsupervised.
• Accept responsibility for any damage or injury
caused by your dog.
• Remain in the off-leash area to supervise your dog,
keeping him/her within view and under verbal control at all
times.
• Bring no more than three dogs to the off-leash area
at any time.
• Not bring a dog in heat to a Bend park.
• Not bring a puppy without a complete cycle of
vaccinations to a Bend park.
• Display tags showing proof of current license and
rabies vaccinations on all dogs.
• Immediately leash and remove any dog that that
displays aggressive behavior toward people or other dogs.
• Comply with all other park rules.
• Remove any dog that demonstrates any aggressive
behaviors.
Dogs must:
• Obey voice commands.
• Not harm or act aggressive toward other dogs or
people.
Enforcement and Public Education Management and Enforcement
• Rules will be posted at each off-leash site.
• An Adopt-a-Park program tailored to the needs of
off-leash areas will facilitate volunteer advocacy and care for
off-leash areas.
• Community education on such topics as dog etiquette
will be offered by DogPAC, a community dog advocacy group.
• City of Bend Police and/or the Park and Recreation
District Park Ranger will have enforcement authority.
Citations and exclusions may be issued.
Funding sources for construction budget estimates:
$190,000 Budgeted for project
25,912 Funds in
Administration and Park Services
$215,912 Total
Sustainability and Funding
Plan
Regular maintenance to off-leash areas includes care for turf,
amenities, water, trash collection/removal. This maintenance
will need to be funded as a new program in 2009-2010 fiscal
year. These maintenance fund requirements will be
consistent with all other new parks and facilities that come on
line. As a point of reference, currently the Big Sky Off-Leash
area fixed expenses are approximately $5,000.00 annually.
Measurements of program success
It is integral to the development and implementation
of all district programs to continually evaluate their
success. Based on these criteria, modifications
will be made.
1. Each off-leash area will be adopted through the district Adopt a Park program. Volunteers will receive special training. Volunteers will help monitor the program's success, encourage compliance with regulations and standards for healthy off-leash areas, and, communicate with and engage dog owners in stewardship activities. 2. General compliance with park rules will improve. 3. Surveys will indicate an understanding of, and appreciation for, the provision of off-leash use in designated parks and trails. 4. Parks will remain in high quality condition consistent with all park and facility care, including turf conditions and cleanliness.
Adopt-a-Dog Park
Share your love for dogs and their owners by adopting an
off-leash area.
Volunteers provide information to people and their pets, help
with stocking pet waste supply stations, assist park staff with
litter management and park maintenance, and help with special
events at the off-leash area.
For more information, call Kim Johnson at 389-7275.
