City unleashes bill Owners taking their dogs for a stroll at Moanalua Community Park may soon be able to take off the leashes.
for Oahu dog parks
Part of Moanalua Park would be
the first city run, off-leash dog parkBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comThe City Council Parks Committee moved a bill yesterday that authorizes the parks director to establish off-leash dog parks throughout Oahu. The Council takes a vote Aug. 1.
A number of city parks allow dogs, but they must be leashed.
A section of Moanalua Community Park, near Moanalua Gardens, would be the first city run, off-leash dog park as a result of strong lobbying by members of the Moanalua Gardens Community Association.
The city is hoping to establish no less than two off-leash parks in each of the island's four park districts, Parks Director William Balfour told committee members. The next dog park will be Kamaio Neighborhood Park in Mililani. All eight sites have been chosen, tentatively, but Balfour said he does not want them all announced until he can notify the affected areas' neighborhood boards.
Typically, the dog parks would be placed in underutilized areas between two and four acres that can be fenced. Balfour said sections of larger parks might be considered.
The Moanalua facility, for instance, would take up only a section of the existing park and is being proposed as only a "pilot project" for up to two years.
Owners would be required to pick up droppings. Only licensed dogs would be allowed, and any dog entering an off-leash park would need to be accompanied by an adult person. Dogs in heat would be barred from entry.
Eve Holt, community relations director for the Hawaiian Humane Society, said the parks are beneficial to dogs not only because they are allowed to roam free, but because "they are very social animals who enjoy the company of other dogs."
Studies have shown that "those who play in parks and with each other are better behaved, better socialized and less likely to get into problem behaviors like barking," she said.
Ronald E. Jones, president of the Moanalua Gardens Community Association, said dog parks are equally beneficial for the people in a neighborhood.
"An off-leash park near a people park will allow children to see dogs interacting and free on the other side of a fence and teach them how much fun and how lovable they can be," Jones said, and would also allow dog owners to interact with each other.
City & County of Honolulu
