Item Coversheet
      

5919 MAIN STREET .  NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 . 727.853.1016


TO:City of New Port Richey City Council
FROM:Elaine D. Smith, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation
DATE:8/6/2019
RE:Recommendation on Animals in City Parks

REQUEST:
The request before City Council is to review City Code, Sec. 4-4 on Animals in City Parks. 

DISCUSSION:

On July 16, 2019, City Council reviewed City Code, Sec. 4-4 on Animals in Parks.  The item was tabled until the next City Council Meeting. 

 

The department received one request to allow dogs in the James E. Grey Preserve.  City Code, sec. 4-4 on Animals in Parks states:  "Pursuant to the section 14-40 of the Pasco County Code, as may be amended from time to time, animals shall only be permitted in Orange Lake, Cotee River Park or any park where signage is posted indicating that animals are permitted.  Animals shall be prohibited in all other parks."  A copy of the City and County Code are attached.

 

Dogs are permitted in four (4) City Parks:  Orange Lake, Sims Park, Cotee River Park and the Meadows Dog Park.  Signage is posted on Dog Waste Bag Dispensers in these parks and the presence of the dispensers indicates that dogs are welcome in these parks.

 

Pasco County Parks and Recreation allows dogs in only (1) one out of (3) three Nature Preserves as follows:

* Pasco Preserve - No Dogs Permitted.

* Jumping Gully Preserve - No Dogs Permitted.

* Upper Cotee Preserve - Dogs are permitted only on Designated Trails and must be on a six foot leash.

 

In the Pasco County Nature Parks, dogs are permitted as follows:

* Eagle Point Nature Park - No Dogs Permitted.

* Key Vista Nature Park - Dogs are permitted on a six foot leash.

* Starkey Nature Park - Dogs are only permitted on hiking and paved trails and must be on a six foot leash.

 

Key Vista is an unstaffed park and a representative for the County Parks and Recreation Department expressed that there have been issues with people allowing dogs to run off leash in the park with no staff there to enforce the rule.

 

The James E. Grey Preserve is the only Nature Preserve in the City of New Port Richey.  The Preserve is an unstaffed park and will not have employees on site daily to enforce regulations.  The City of New Port Richey has (4) parks were dogs are welcome and dog waste bags are provided.

 

A map of the (80) acre parcel of the James E. Grey Preserve is attached as well as a conceptual drawing of the proposed development of the (14) acre parcel to the west of the Grey Preserve that will begin development in the next fiscal year.



RECOMMENDATION:
The recommendation from staff is to continue the policy of not allowing dogs in the James E. Grey Preserve and to revisit the topic during the development of the (14) acre parcel.  A walking trail is proposed in the new development that could be designated as a dog friendly trail where dog owners will be able to access the Preserve from within the City Limits and walk on a trail that will connect to the Upper Trail in the Grey Preserve without accessing any Boardwalks.  The Walking Trail and the Upper Trial are both denoted with yellow dashed lines on the attachments. 

BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
City and County Codes on Animals in ParksCover Memo
Grey Preserve - 80 AcresCover Memo
Grey Preserve - 14 AcresCover Memo