Parks and Recreation board reviews dog park rules

Creston Parks and Recreation Board again reviewed proposed rules Tuesday for Lexi’s Puppy Patch, a dog park under construction in McKinley Park. The board is using legal counsel to approve the rules before submitting them to Creston City Council.

The park is hoped to open in September.

Dog owners/handlers must be at least 16. Those in age 8 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Handlers must be within view of their doges at all times and be in the park. Handlers must remove their dog’s waste which can be left in a receptacle at the park.

Prevent dogs from being near gates when others are entering or leaving.

Handlers can have no more than two dogs at one time. A dog’s leash must be in the handler’s hand at all times. Dogs that are aggressive to other dogs or handlers must be immediately removed.

Dogs are not to dig holes. If they do, handler are to fill the hole.

All dogs must be current on rabies and all vaccinations. Certifications shall be available upon request. Dogs must have an identification tag that also states proof of vaccination. Park members questioned how the rules, like the vaccination, could be enforced. Board members expect if city animal control is needed, the officer will handle the situation.

Other rules the park reviewed include only small dog treats allowed in the park, no children younger than 8, no tobacco or alcohol, no female dogs during heat cycle, no aggressive, sick or lame dogs, only dogs in the park.

In other board news:

The board was pleased with how Party in the Park went July 2 with the Molly Hatchet concert.

“The park showed well,” said board member John Kawa. “There were a lot of people who had a good time.”

The board is preparing for the annual McKinley Park Festival scheduled Saturday, July 30. The park promotion event will have the fire department provide water fights for kids, inflatables will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and kids will be able to fish the lake. Hot dogs and chips will be served.