Dog management on Open Space and Mountain Park land has a long and controversial history with many thousands of visitors bringing their dogs along on Open Space excursions. Especially prized are unleashed, "voice and sight" opportunities. And, for women hiking alone, dogs offer a popular measure of protection.
Still, there are many who would like to limit dog access to particular areas because of environmental concerns or a general desire to avoid encounters with unpleasant, occasionally misbehavedof, and sometimes (rarely) aggressive dogs.
There are also more localized concerns such as "trailhead chaos" issues when lots of unleashed dogs are present. Finally
, the OSMP Visitor Master Plan asks the CCG to consider creating additional "no dog" opportunities for visitors.
The big question is: How can we best provide highly valued dog access in ways which minimize adverse impacts on the environment and other visitors?
Among the issues that might be addressed in the following:
- Continue efforts to educate visitors with dogs about the importance of keeping their dogs under control and picking up dog waste.
- Strengthen vigorous but primarily persuasive (rather than punitive) enforcement efforts.
- Fine-tune of access restrictions so that they are only imposed when threats actually exist (as opposed to unnecessarily long, blanket restrictions). For example, don't close trails to dogs because of bear activity when bear activity is unlikely.
- Explore the possibility of offsetting additional dog restrictions by reducing restrictions and other areas.
- Require dogs to be leashed in the immediate vicinity of trailheads and access points.
- Provide the additional "no dog" opportunities suggested by the Visitor Master Plan.
- Try to provide dog access near the various neighborhoods soa people don't have to drive to walk with their dogs.
More specific proposals will be made available for comment in the relatively near future. At this point, we are soliciting general comments on how best to handle dogs on Open Space
.
See right-hand link column for links to neighborhood access comment pages. >>
Test Message, I'm in East Boulder so this doesn't count.
ReplyDeleteImportant thing to remember is that when you ban dogs from a trail the owner is also banned. Its easier to say "I dont want dogs on this trail" than to say "I dont want Tony Gannaway on this trail", even though they dont know me or my dog.
Something too many dog owners 'don't get', is that some dogs are walked on a leash for a reason. Therefore, it is NOT ok to let your off leash dog run up to a dog on a leash.
ReplyDeleteThere should be an outright ban on dogs in open space.
ReplyDeleteI'm tired of being threatened or actually bitten by dogs whose owners emphatically say "HE'S NEVER DONE THAT!"
I'm tired of the little bags of crap left behind by dog owners. And there are LOTS of them, every single time I'm out on a trail. That is trash, people. Who do you think is cleaning up after you?
The unwritten rule with dog owners seems to be to follow the rules until there is no need. More power to the angelic owners who stand up for the dog owner community, but unfortunately they are in a small minority.
I have had very few problems with direct interaction with dogs in Boulder Open Space. My biggest concern with dogs in open space is the continuing problem of pet waste on trails. I believe we need some sort of sign at EVERY trailhead which clarifies that is not OK to leave pet waste in bags, even in the pet owner "plans" on coming back to pick it up on the way out. It still looks like trash to me whether it is there for 10 days or 10 minutes.
ReplyDeleteKirk Heatwole
Central Neighborhood
1829 Bluebell Ave.