Scotts Valley considers banning dogs from parts of Siltanen Park

The dogs are out of control: digging in sports fields, leaving feces for players in youth sports leagues to slip on, and causing dog-related injuries to parkgoers.

That’s according to the City of Scotts Valley, which cited “growing concern about the effects of unleashed dogs and their waste” in MacDorsa and Siltanen parks as reasons to consider updating the city’s dog-park rules, including possibly banning dogs from parts of at least one public park. 

On Tuesday, the Scotts Valley Parks & Recreation Commission will consider a plan to close parts of Siltanen Park, such as the majors baseball field and lower softball fields to canine visitors. The city is also exploring whether to create a fenced-in area for people to let their dogs run off leash on the north side of MacDorsa Park, the mowed grass area of Al Shugart Park and possibly Triangle Park.

Under Scotts Valley rules, dog owners must keep their pets on a leash and pick up after them in city parks, with a fine of $100 for noncompliance. But flagrant disregard for the existing law has brought the issue to the Parks & Recreation Commission.

“As much as we enjoy our dogs and want to support their need for exercise, off-leash dogs and uncontrolled dog waste has become an increasing problem in several of the city’s parks,” Recreation Manager Allison Pfefferkorn said.

The plan to ban dogs from parts of Stiltanen Park – either seasonally or year-round – is just one possible solution, city staff said in a report, which also recommended better signage to remind people to keep their pooches leashed. The parks and recreation department is asking the commission to hold a public hearing to get feedback and hear of alternative solutions. 

The city said it already provides garbage cans and poop-bags for easy cleanup.

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