The Dog Task Force was created in October 2003, with representation from the various organizations and members listed below:

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1 DRAFT Dog Task Force Committee Final Recommendations June 24, 2004 In the spring of 2003 the Juneau Parks and Recreation Staff submitted a proposal to limit dogs on the Rainforest Trail. Because many comments were received about a variety of issues related to dogs, Parks and Recreation staff decided to leave the Rainforest Trail as is, with dogs on leash, and to create a task force to look at the broader dog use issues. The Dog Task Force was created in October 2003, with representation from the various organizations and members listed below: Sue McGregor - Capital Kennel Club Sue Schrader - Public Kim Kiefer - Juneau Parks & Recreation Kathy Hocker - Discovery Southeast Mike Eberhardt - State Parks Chava Lee - Gastineau Humane Society Karla Hart - State Fish & Game Bob Grochow - Juneau Parks & Recreation Kathy Buss - Public Ron Marvin - US Forest Service James King - Trailmix The purpose of the task force was to facilitate a process that addresses four main issues: 1) the need for areas where dogs can run off leash for training, tracking and retrieving 2) possibly limiting dogs in some areas because of wildlife issues 3) designating some trails as no dog areas to represent all users 4) education on rules and good trail etiquette. To begin the process the Task Force broke up into three subcommittees - Parks and Trails, Wildlife, and Education. The Parks and Trails Subcommittee reviewed new trail and park development as well as areas that currently have higher dog use. The Wildlife Subcommittee originally reviewed all trails for unique wildlife habitat and then narrowed the list to those incorporated into the following high use areas. The Education Subcommittee reviewed current city ordinances and problems associated with enforcing ordinances. After meeting several times throughout the winter and early spring each subcommittee submitted their recommendations to the Dog Task Force Committee. The Dog Task Force Committee also met several times to review the three subcommittee's suggestions. The following recommendations are the results of these meetings: High use areas and committee recommendations for these areas: Amalga Meadows - Managed by CBJ Parks/State Parks/USFS Education: Public education and signage Recommendation: No dogs in Amalga Meadows Park north of Amalga Harbor Road except for the Boy Scout Trail. Intended to reduce the impact of planned trails into this area, which is extremely rich in wildlife and contains sensitive habitats such as uplift meadows and mixed meadow/deciduous regions. Auke Lake Trail - Managed by CBJ Parks Education: Signage needed Recommend no dogs on East trail of the lake. Establishes a dog free trail for those who wish to walk somewhere without encountering dogs. 1

2 Airport Dike Trail - Managed by CBJ/Airport Education important. Recommendation Statement: The Airport Dike Trail receives a high level of use by trail users of all kinds, and is immediately adjacent to critical wildlife habitat and encompasses the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge and airport. Because of these special circumstances, dog walkers should exercise a higher level of control than may be necessary elsewhere, and all trail users should be respectful of each other. It is recommended that people and dogs remain on the trail and dogs be on-leash or under voice control, to avoid wildlife disturbances, especially during seasonal nesting and shorebird migration. Airport management wants to remind everyone that this trail is foremost an emergency vehicle access road and is used at various times by emergency vehicles and to use caution and to "give way" should you be on the trail at the same time. Dogs running around scaring birds cause birds to fly around more often thereby creating safety hazards. Dogs off-leash also go inside the airport perimeter fence thereby creating a direct hazard to aircraft and themselves and compounding the possibility of owners having to enter a restricted area to retrieve them. Neither situation is conducive to aviation safety, the dog or owner. DZ Trail System - Managed by CBJ Parks Education: Signage needed. Recommend new trail being developed behind DZ School as a no dog area.. This trail will be used extensively for outdoor education for DZ school. Establishes a dog free trail for those who wish to walk somewhere without encountering dogs Eagle Beach - Managed by State Parks Recommend that the intertidal land north of river, below tideland, be on-leash on state property. (Note: State regulations are currently being proposed that may impact these recommendations.) Addresses concerns about dog related impacts on the large numbers of migratory waterfowl that use the estuary for feeding and resting. Fish Creek - Managed by CBJ Parks & State Game Refuge Education: Public education and signage important. Recommend dogs be on leash except while hunting in game refuge area. No dogs on new spur trail on east pond dike. Addresses concerns about dog related impacts on the large numbers of migratory waterfowl that use the estuary for feeding and resting. Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei Trail/Brotherhood Bridge - Managed by CBJ Parks Education: Clean up of dog feces and better signage. Recommend hiking trail between the paved trail and river be off leash and be improved where it is washing away. Addresses requests by dog owners to legalize off-leash dog walking in this area. Mt. Roberts Trail - Managed by State and CBJ Parks Education: Education and signage needed. Recommend on leash in area between tram terminal and the intersection of Gold Ridge and Gastineau Peak. Enhances wildlife viewing opportunities in this area by allowing wildlife to neutrally habituate to humans on trails, and addresses the issue of out-of-control dogs in a high traffic area. 2

3 Outer Point - Managed by CBJ Parks Education: Clean up of dog feces at Outer Point/Rainforest/Bluff trails. Signage and public education important. Recommend restriction would apply to the commercial trail whether it's Outer Point or Rainforest. On leash April 1 - September 30 and off leash October 1 - March 31 with no hour restrictions. Non commercial trail would be an off leash trail. Addresses request by dog owners to legalize off-leash dog walking on the Outer Point trail system. Police Station - Managed by CBJ Parks Education: Signage needed. Recommend no dogs on the loop trail between the police station and Egan Drive. This area was designed as an outdoor classroom for DZ classes to study wetlands; this recommendation would minimize impacts to the wetland. Rainforest Trail - Managed by CBJ Parks - Current Commercial Use Trail and constructed with passenger fee money. Education: Signage and public education important Recommend restriction would apply to the commercial trail whether it's Rainforest or Outer Point. On leash April 1 - September 30 and off leash October 1 - March 31 with no hour restrictions. Non commercial trail would be an off leash trail. Addresses request by dog owners to legalize off-leash dog walking on the Outer Point trail system. Savikko Park - Managed by CBJ Parks Sandy Beach (Does not include Harbor) Education: Signage needed and education regarding clean up below tide line. Recommend off leash below logs at high tide line, on leash in Sandy Beach picnic area and Treadwell Mine Historic Trail area. Addresses requests by dog owners to legalize off-leash dog walking on Sandy Beach. Savikko Park Fields See in field section Switzer Creek System - Managed by CBJ Parks Education: Signage important Recommend clear-cut area located up the hill be an off leash area. Allows for off-leash dog walking in an area away from the sensitive meadows and riparian zone around Switzer Creek. Twin Lakes - Managed by CBJ Parks Education: Comprehensive public education needed because of high use. Signs that change to reflect changes in regs (test area). Recommendation: Get rid of July/August closure to dogs unless water quality standard requires emergency dog closure. Parking lot North to the end of the large open grass area: on leash only and at all times Area from the end of the open grass area to the end of the Twin Lakes trail at the Pioneers Home end: April 1 - Sept 30, off leash until 10am, on leash 10am - midnight Oct. 1 - March 31, off leash Addresses requests by dog owners to legalize off-leash dog walking at Twin Lakes and allow dogs in the summer. 3

4 Sports Field Dog Use Chart - CBJ Parks The following is a summer and winter listing of all the city fields available for off leash exercise and dog training. Public education and clean up of dog feces is very important for continued use. This will be on a trial basis. Proposed Off- Dog Field Use April 1 thru September 30 (Closed during maintenance activities and sports use) Field Weekdays Saturday Sunday Comments Aant'iyeik Park Field 1 Until 3PM Park Hours Aant'iyeik Park Field 2 Until 3PM Park Hours Dimond Park Field 1 *Until 3PM Park Hours *Closed on school days. Dimond Park Field 2 *Until 3PM Park Hours *Closed on school days. Dimond Park Field 3 Until 3PM Park Hours Dimond Park Field 4 *Until 3PM Park Hours *Closed on school days. Dzantik I Heeni Field1 *Until 3PM Park Hours *Closed on school days. Dzantik I Heeni Field2 *Until 3PM Park Hours *Closed on school days. Glacier Valley Field 1 *Until 3PM Park Hours *Closed on school days. Glacier Valley Field 2 *Until 3PM Park Hours *Closed on school days. Lena Loop Park Field 1 Until 3PM Park Hours Lena Loop Park Field 2 Until 3PM Park Hours Melvin Park Field 1 Until 3PM Park Hours Melvin Park Field 2 Until 3PM Park Hours Melvin Park Field 3 Until 3PM Park Hours Mendenhall River Field 1 *Until 3PM Park Hours *Closed on school days. Mendenhall River Field 2 *Until 3PM Park Hours *Closed on school days. Savikko Park Field 2 Until 3PM Park Hours October 1 thru March 31 (Closed during maintenance activities and sports use) Field Weekdays Saturday Sunday Comments Aant'iyeik Park Field 1 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours No snow removal. Aant'iyeik Park Field 2 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours No snow removal. Dimond Park Field 1 Park Hours Park Hours Dimond Park Field 2 Park Hours Park Hours Dimond Park Field 3 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours Dimond Park Field 4 Park Hours Park Hours Dzantik I Heeni Field1 Park Hours Park Hours Dzantik I Heeni Field2 Park Hours Park Hours Glacier Valley Field 1 Park Hours Park Hours Glacier Valley Field 2 Park Hours Park Hours Lena Loop Park Field 1 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours No snow removal. Lena Loop Park Field 2 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours No snow removal. Melvin Park Field 1 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours No snow removal. Melvin Park Field 2 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours No snow removal. Melvin Park Field 3 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours No snow removal. Mendenhall River Field 1 Park Hours Park Hours Mendenhall River Field 2 Park Hours Park Hours Savikko Park Field 1 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours Savikko Park Field 2 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours Savikko Park Field 3 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours Savikko Park Field 4 Park Hours Park Hours Park Hours 4

5 The Dog Task Force Committee realized during these meetings that enforcement wasn't the only solution. Educating the public seemed to become more crucial as the committee progressed. Several members of the public who attended these meetings took an active part and formed the "Grateful Dogs", an advocate for responsible dog owners. The Education Subcommittee submitted the following comments and recommendations: We decided to make a mission statement in order to let the public know that educating ALL of Juneau trail users to the importance of being good neighbors and good citizens was important to us. While we recognize we are tasked with determining good dog behavior, we also realize that many (if not most) of all dog owners and individuals who walk with dogs and use the Juneau trail system and parks want to be respectful of other users. If we single out dog walkers without any discussion or comment on other users, dog walkers will not buy into any proposals we make and will feel they are being unfairly singled out. Our mission: Encourage and promote good citizenship and compliance with community regulations so as to ensure the continued multiple uses of Juneau s recreational resources through the use of education, uniform signage and community outreach. Our educational approach will focus on good citizenship; good will between user groups with different needs; human and dog interaction and safety; and approaches to decrease the number of negative encounters between people and dogs. We will also partner as many and as diverse a group of organizations together as possible. The Education Subcommittee is pursuing a number of ways to get the community involved including: A special web site dedicated to dogs on trails; information available with links to a number of web sites including CBJ, Gastineau Humane Society(GHS), Grateful Dogs, Capital City Kennel Club of Juneau, recorded messages about trail use (could be on GHS and possibly other telephone messages); trail information in all applicable newsletters; public service announcements; interviews on radio shows; public access television; TV spots; scanner channel information; dog training programs and classes through the different training groups; speakers who can speak to interested groups including school classes; repeating the same information between different groups and through various media. Information could be sent out in a mass mailing to all Juneau residents and/or to residents with dogs and/or with dog license renewals. We also propose the following: 1. Establish Friends Of trails and parks Developed in a manner similar to groups that clean up roads Have days/times set aside to clean the park and/or trails Groups would be organized in a manner similar to the groups that take on cleaning portions of highways and roads Each group would have a contact person Contact person and phone number would be available through various organizations 2. Find creative ways to find funds for an additional person who would work primarily with children in the schools. Cost estimate for salary, training and equipment is $65, Develop informational signage for trails and parks Informational Signage: Signs posted at the beginning of the trails or at strategic locations with trail information such as the flora, fauna, descriptions and restrictions for the trail. required area or off leash area (with the admonition that dogs must be under the handlers control at all times). The competent voice control means when all the following are met: 1. The person exhibiting the voice control is present with the animal and monitors all of its activities; 2. The person exhibiting the voice control is capable of directing all of the animal's movements and activities by voice commands; and 3. The animal under voice control follows all of the vocal commands quickly and accurately. Signs or verbiage on signs of where/who to call to report problems Signs at ballparks indicating availability of fields for training (sign would have the capability to drop down and would say: open to dogs or closed to dogs). 5

6 Warning signs about picking up dog feces: DOG HANDLERS: You MUST pick up dog feces and deposit them in the proper receptacle. Failure to do so will result in closure of this park (ball field etc). Wildlife signage: Hot Spot - white sign with large red spot in the center with wording to indicate specific hot spot. Ex: nesting terns 200ft OR delicate tundra next 200 yards etc and the wording: please stay on the trail. Sign with a picture and description of the bird/wildlife/habitat The signs are seen as an educational tool to remind people that the trail has specific wildlife or habitat that we must all work to save. Education Priorities Dog owner rights Dog owner responsibilities Non dog owner rights Non dog owner responsibilities Dog ordinances Dog owners as good citizens Dog owners as good trail users Non dog owners who use trails frequented by dogs Better poop compliance Where to go for information Who to call if there is a problem Who are the stakeholders Why compliance is important Dog and wildlife Migration and nesting times How to get involved Statistics: dog bites animal/human/trail info For domestic animal control problems and/or complaints call Animal Control at For animal complaints on State Trails and Parks call the local office at or the Southeast Regional Office at The following is a list of all Juneau trails, parks, their management, current and proposed regulations. Recommendation to post at trailheads as part of public education. EXISTING AND PROPOSED TRAIL REGULATIONS Current Proposed Area/Trail Comments Regulation Regulation Management Adair/Kennedy Park On On CBJ P&R/Schools Airport Dike Trail Dog walkers On On CBJ Airport asked to exercise a high level of control, especially during April-Aug. or under voice control Amalga Meadows Park (North of On No Dogs Amalga Harbor Rd) Amalga Meadows Park (South of Amalga No Change On On Harbor Rd) Aant'iyeik Park See Field Use On On/Off Auk Nu Trail No Change Off Off USFS Auke Bay Park No Change On On 6

7 EXISTING AND PROPOSED TRAIL REGULATIONS Current Proposed Area/Trail Comments Regulation Regulation Management Auke Lake Trail On No Dogs Auke Lake Wayside No Change On On Auke Recreation Area No Change Off Off USFS Bessie Creek Trail No Change Off Off USFS Blackerby Ridge Trail No Change Off Off CBJ/State/USFS Bonnie Brae Park No Change On On Boy Scout Beach No Change Off Off State DNR Boy Scout Trail No Change Off Off CBJ/Boys Scouts Breadline Bluff Trail No Change On On Bridget Cove Trails No Change On On Capital Park No Change On On Cathedral Park No Change On On Chicken Yard Park No Change On On Cope Park No Change On On Dan Bishop Trail No Change On On Dan Moller Trail No Change Off Off USFS Dimond Park See Field Use On On/Off Schools Dredge Lakes Area No Change Off Off USFS Dzantik'i Heeni School Fields See Field Use On On/Off Schools Dzantik'i Heeni Trail On No Dogs Eagle Beach State Recreation Area - No Change Uplands On On State Eagle Beach State Recreation Area - Tidelands Off On State Eagle Glacier Trail/Yankee Basin Trail No Change Off Off USFS Eaglecrest Ski Area Off leash Off Off CBJ Eaglecrest summer. No dogs on groomed trails during ski season. No Dogs No Dogs East Glacier/Nugget Cr Trail No Change Off Off USFS Ernest Gruening State Historic Park No Change On On State Evergreen Cemetery No Change No Dogs No Dogs False Outer Point Beach Access No Change On On Favorite Channel Beach Access No Change On On Fish Creek Park No Change On On Fish Creek Park East Pond Dike Trail On No Dogs Fish Creek Trail No Change On On Five Mile Beach Access North Douglas No Change On On Flume Trail No Change On On AEL&P Glacier Valley School Fields See Field Use On On/Off Schools Granite Creek Trail No Change Off Off State Gunakadeit Park No Change On On Heinztleman Ridge Trail No Change Off Off CBJ USFS Herbert Glacier Trail No Change Off Off USFS 7

8 EXISTING AND PROPOSED TRAIL REGULATIONS Current Proposed Area/Trail Comments Regulation Regulation Management Homestead Park No Change On On Indian Point Trail No Change On On Jordan Creek Trail No Change On On Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei Hiking Trail On Off Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei Horse Trail No Change On On Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei Paved Trail No Change On On Lake Creek Trail No Change Off Off USFS Lemon Creek Trail No Change Off Off USFS Lena Cove Recreation Area Off Off USFS Lena Loop Park See Field Use On On/Off Lena Pt Trail No Change On On Marine Park No Change On On Melvin Park See Field Use On On/Off Mendenhall River School Fields See Field Use On On/Off Schools Mendenhall Peninsula Trail No Change On On Mendenhall Peninsula Wetlands Access No Change On On Mendenhall Wetlands No Change Off Off State Mendenhaven Park No Change On On Mine Camp Ruins Trail No Change On On Minnie Field Beach Access No Change On On Montana Creek Trail - Kax Trail to Montana Cr Rd end No Change On On Montana Creek Trail - Beyond Montana Cr No Change Off Off USFS Rd end Moraine Ecology Trail No Change Off Off USFS Mt Jumbo Trail - Trailhead to end of meadow No Change On On Mt Jumbo Trail - End of meadow to summit No Change On On AK Mental Health Mt Juneau Trail No Change Off Off State Mt Roberts Trail - Trailhead to Tram No Change Off Off State Mt Roberts Trail - Tram to Gold Ridge Off On State/CBJ Mt Roberts Trail - Beyond Gold Ridge No Change Off Off State Ninemile Creek Wetlands Access No Change On On Ninemile Creek Road Wetlands Access No Change On On Ninemile North Douglas Beach Access No Change On On North Tee Harbor Trail No Change On On Outer Point Bluff Trail No Change On On Outer Point Loop Trail On Off Pearl Harbor Beach Access No Change On On Perseverance Trail (Trailhead to Mt. Trailhead ON Off Off State Juneau Trail) Perseverance Trail (Mt. Juneau Trail to No Change On On trail end) Peterson Creek Trail No Change Off Off USFS Police Station Trail On No Dogs Powerline Trail No Change Off Off USFS 8

9 EXISTING AND PROPOSED TRAIL REGULATIONS Current Proposed Area/Trail Comments Regulation Regulation Management Pt Bishop/Dupont Trail No Change Off Off USFS Pt Bridget State Park/Trails No Change Off Off State Rainforest Trail On 4/1-9/30, Off 10/1-3/31 On On/Off Red Mill Trail/AJ Glory Hole Overlook Trail No Change On On Riverside Rotary Park No Change On On Savikko Park No Change On On Savikko Park - Sandy Beach Off below high On Off tide line Savikko Park Fields See Field Use On On/Off Sheep Creek Beach No Change Off Off State DNR Sheep Creek Trail No Change Off Off State Parks Sigoowu Ye Park No Change On On Situwan Park No Change On On Smuggler's Cove Beach Access No Change On On Spaulding Meadows Trail No Change Off Off USFS Sunshine Cove Trails No Change On On Switzer Creek Park/Trails No Change On On Switzer Creek Trail - Mountain Ave thru old clear cut On Off in clear cut area Thunder Mountain Trail No Change Off Off CBJ USFS Tolch Rock Trail No Change Off Off USFS Treadwell Ditch Trail - Eaglecrest Access Trail Off No Dogs Off No Dogs Eaglecrest Off leash summer. No dogs on groomed trails during ski season. Treadwell Ditch Trail - Fish Cr to Blueberry No Change Off Off USFS Hills Treadwell Ditch Trail - Bonnie Brae Access No Change Off Off Trail USFS Treadwell Ditch Trail - Blueberry Hills to Bear Cr No Change Off Off State DNR Lands Treadwell Ditch Trail - Blueberry Hills Access Trail No Change Off Off USFS Treadwell Ditch Trail - Bear Cr to Mt. No Change On On Jumbo Trail Treadwell Ditch Trail - Gastineau No Change On On Meadows Access Treadwell Mine Historic Trails No Change On On Twin Lakes Park - Parking lot to north Current: No dogs On On end of large lawn area - Jupiter on the path July & August. Proposed: Dogs allowed year round on leash. No Dogs 9

10 Twin Lakes Park - North end of large lawn area to trail end Proposed: Dogs allowed year round. 4/1-9/30 off leash until 10am, on leash 10ammidnight. 10/1-3/31 off leash On No Dogs On/Off West Glacier Trail/Mt. McGinnis No Change Off Off USFS Windfall Lake Trail No Change Off Off USFS I:\dog task force\final Recommendations June2.doc 10