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Politics & Government

Editor's Notebook: Dealing With Loose Dogs in Oakdale Parks and Community Garden Location Options

Oakdale's parks and police departments are working together on the problem of unleashed dogs in city parks.

Parks Superintendent Working with Police Chief on Loose Dogs: After getting a report that a former parks commission member has been attacked multiple times by loose dogs in the , the commission and city staff are looking at ways to address the problem. At Tuesday’s parks commission meeting, Parks Superintendent Randy Bastyr said he is working with Oakdale Police Chief Bill Sullivan on prevention and enforcement efforts—which could include having parks department personnel issue tickets to unleashed dogs' owners and adding more signs about the leash requirement around the park. 

Since police can’t possibly monitor the park at all times, citizens should call 911 if they see an unleashed dog in any park, Bastyr said.

Commission member David Nilan said even if enforcement is spotty—if the word gets around that the city is issuing tickets for leash law violations, people might be more careful when walking their dogs in city parks.

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Commissioners Make Suggestions on Choosing Next Community Garden Site: Parks commission members said they want more community input on the location of a proposed community garden, and to consider sites on private land, at their meeting Tuesday. The suggestions came after neighbors of in opposition to the proposal to put the city’s first community garden in their neighborhood park. Due to the opposition, city staff is now looking for a new site for the garden. Commission member Frank Tschida suggested asking residents where in the city they want to have a community garden. Commission chair Rich Thielman said he’d also like to see staff look into locating the community garden on private land, such as an apartment building’s property.

The Parks and Recreation Commission plans to talk more about the community garden and the dog issues at their next meeting on Jan. 17.

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