Boulder City no-leash dog park gets final approval

By Jean Reid Norman

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009 | 1:59 a.m.

A Boulder City nonprofit group plans to have the city’s first no-leash dog park ready for play by Halloween.

See Spot Run received final City Council approval last week for its plan to build the park on 3.5 acres at Veterans Memorial Park, 1650 Buchanan Blvd.

The city will lease the parcel to the group for $1 a year. See Spot Run has raised $60,000 to construct the park and to pay for utilities and liability insurance that covers both it and the city. In addition, it will provide volunteers to clean and maintain the park, according to the lease.

The proposed park will include fenced areas for small and large dogs, shade structures, a meandering pathway through the park, and an event area where obedience classes, agility events and similar activities can be held.

See Spot Run President Margaret Kolar said the group would break ground as soon as the lease is signed and it obtains permits. The group hopes to hold a grand opening on Halloween, she said.

The group has been working with the city for five years to find a suitable site and design. Two previous sites were rejected because of drainage and easement problems.

Before their unanimous vote, council members voiced some concerns about the lease. Councilman Cam Walker asked whether the liability insurance See Spot Run was providing would be enough to protect the city from a lawsuit if someone were bitten at the park.

“Practically speaking, if someone gets bit, we’re going to get sued anyway,” City Attorney Dave Olsen said.

To address the concern, the group agreed to add a provision to the lease specifying that See Spot Run’s insurance would be primary.

Walker also was concerned about a provision in the lease that said all operations needed to be approved by the public works director, noting that it might increase the city’s liability. He also wanted the council to have a say in major changes, such as the construction of a sound barrier wall if noise becomes a problem.

The intention, City Manager Vicki Mayes said, was to ensure coordination of events at the dog park and the neighboring BMX bike park and skateboard park.

“We’re not requiring additional parking adjacent to the park. During normal times, it’s adequate,” Mayes said. “But should See Spot Run schedule a special event on a BMX day, we would have a problem.”

Changes were made to the lease to reflect those concerns, and the council gave its approval.

“I’m excited and relieved,” Kolar said. “I was afraid there would be one more hurdle to get to our lease.”