Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
- Layton officials are seemingly considering alternative sites for a dog park amid resident concerns.
- Eastridge Nature Park's initially proposed site faces opposition due to safety and environmental issues.
- Andy Adams Park emerges as a potential alternative, but requires funding reallocation.
LAYTON — The fate of a proposed unleashed dog park in the city of Layton remains uncertain, but the discussion about it among city leaders and residents is progressing.
The Layton City Council heard from several residents during Thursday's meeting regarding an area of the Eastridge Nature Park that would've been designated for a dog park.
Residents opposed to having an unleashed area for dogs — at least at the Eastridge site — cited safety, legal and environmental impacts. Others advocated for a dog park and said they believe the city can support the amenity but weren't necessarily tied to any specific site.
"We are committed to continue to listen to the conversations with transparency but with respect that we have an open mind," said Layton Mayor Joy Petro. "As I mentioned, we have listened, and that does not mean that we all agree, because unfortunately in this case some will feel like they've won, and some will feel like they've lost."
While the council did not take any action on the matter Thursday night, its majority appeared to support the idea of exploring other areas for a dog park— one potentially being Andy Adams Park, though the Eastridge location isn't completely off the table yet.
Not a 'backdoor room discussion'
Councilwoman Bettina Smith Edmondson addressed statements that she's heard suggesting the dog park hadn't been a topic of discussion.
She recalled several meetings over the past five years where the matter has come up.
"I was a little taken aback to hear there was a perception that a lot of these discussions were being done in some backdoor room closed off to the public," Edmondson said. "It was frankly surprising to me to have so many folks come and make it seem as though this was never something that we had discussed. I did want to make sure that folks understand these discussions have been going on long before I even was on the council."
The Layton City Council was considering an option proposed by the Parks and Recreation Department last November, to implement 9 acres of space for off-leash dogs as part of development at Eastridge Nature Park.
Some of the funding has already been secured through the city's recreation, arts, museum and parks tax to complete the unfinished section of the nature park.
Edmondson also clarified specific details on what a dog park at Eastridge may look like had yet to be discussed.
"For there to be a perception or an idea that this is a go, and it's completely wild — dogs are running all over the place off leash and they're attacking people — none of those discussions have actually been had," she said.
Both sides of the fence
One resident who only wanted to be identified by her first name, Lynda, who lives near the nature park, said she was under the impression the proposed dog park would be unfenced. Though she has her own dogs, the resident doesn't believe Eastridge is the right location for a dog park.
"Even if I didn't live here, I would look at this and say this is not smart because of the wildlife and the creek," she told KSL.
Landon Bickley, another Layton resident who opposes a dog park area at Eastridge, also pointed to environmental impacts, disruption to wildlife as well as safety and traffic concerns.
"We're talking about putting Layton's only dog park at the end of very small residential roads to where if you're going to park two cars on either side of the road, it is basically a single lane road in there," he said. "You're bringing a massive amount of traffic through a residential neighborhood for this as well; it doesn't feel like this was the best location from the beginning."
Previously, KSL spoke with Layton resident Jennifer Shepherd, who for years has been advocating for a dog park.
In a statement responding to Thursday's meeting, she recalled the council's initial rejection of Andy Adams Park and other suggestions for a traditional fenced-in park as an option as the council felt the dog park should be of the nature trail variety. However, she's not opposed to having it at Andy Adams Park.
"Ultimately, if all this ruckus results in a safe dog park for Layton, then I and all other Layton dog-owning residents are happy," said Shepherd.
Ian Bowles, who supports an off-leash dog park, believes if it can work in other cities in Davis County including Clearfield and Woods Cross, it could also be a benefit to dog owners in Layton.
"I'm coming here to ask you to make an off-leash dog area a priority," he said to the council. "I think there's a lot of really good reasons to do so, and based on the remarks you've given, this is my first council meeting, but it's clearly been an issue for a while."
Layton Parks and Recreation director David Price said Andy Adams Park could be an option for off-leash dogs, because unlike the Eastridge Nature Park, much of the infrastructure is already in place and would require less time to build.
However, he said it would require funding to be reallocated from another project.
Ultimately, no final decisions have been made on the matter. Price was asked to have the department look into Andy Adams Park and other viable options for a potential dog park and report back to the council.
