The city is working towards increasing the hours of the off-leash dog area at Bloedel Donovan Park according to the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department.
Dogs need to work off all their wound-up energy and stimulate their minds and they may be getting the chance to run free longer with a shift to extended hours at Bloedel’s off-leash area as early as Dec. 1, 2010 said Marvin Harris, Parks Operation Manager.
Harris wasn’t able to disclose any more information about the proposed new hours because they are still in the planning process.
This is good news to pet owners only if the city can find a solution to the grass destruction around Bloedel, residents may see the off-leash area getting closed off, similar to what happened earlier this year.
The off-leash area was temporarily closed from March to June to try and repair the worn down grass areas in preparation for summer.
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Examples of the grass destruction happening at Bloedel Donovan Park. Photo courtesy of gratefuldogs.org |
The city is looking into better ways to manage the destruction of the grass for the upcoming winter season with the help of the Grateful Dogs Off-Leash Association for tips to minimize the grass damage.
Grateful Dogs is a non-profit organization promoting responsible dog ownership and acts to protect off-leash dog areas in and around Bellingham.
In a letter to the Grateful Dogs Off-Leash Association from Paul Leuthold, director of Parks and Recreation, he mentioned that the Parks and Recreation Department was warned by the City and the Department of Ecology, that the “bare soil” from the turf destruction was running off into the lake.
“We were cautioned that this condition [grass destruction] cannot persist,” said Leuthold in the letter. “If it does, the Parks and Recreation Department will issue a citation and subsequent fine for this violation.”
Keeping up the grounds at the off-leash area also means that Lake Whatcom dog owners need to remember to scoop the poop.
Harris said that frequent users of the park do a good job of picking up after their pets, but even with free biodegradable bags in place for pet owners some may not be taking responsibility for their dog’s waste.
Although the city hasn’t done any scientific surveys in the Bloedel area on pet waste Harris said, waste can still get carried into storm drains and the lake.
Dennis Pate, owner of Doo Bandits [a local pet waste removal company], said in a press release that the nutrients from dog waste can feed the growth of algae leaving the water uninhabitable for fish, a problem Lake Whatcom already suffers from.
“During rain, dog poop melts away and runoff carries it to storm drains, ditches and streams that feed our rivers, lakes and marine waters,” Pate said. “The bacteria can also make water unsafe to drink or to swim in.”
According to the City of Bellingham, 11,000 pounds of waste is produced by all the dogs in Whatcom County in one day.
The disease-causing pathogen found in animal waste presents a health risk if it does end up in the city’s lakes and streams.
The off-leash area at Bloedel has been around for almost six years.
During the winter months the off-leash area at the park is open from Oct. 1 to April 30 during daylight hours and May 1 to Sept. 30 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
During the winter months the off-leash area at the park is open from Oct. 1 to April 30 during daylight hours and May 1 to Sept. 30 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
To find out more about the efforts being made by the Grateful Dogs Off-Leash Association visit their website, www.gratefuldogs.org.
And to follow up on the animal related regulations according to the Bellingham Municipal Code, visit www.cob.org.
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