Rule breaking by owners and dangerous incidents at park give rise to proposed regulation
A KLM map shows dog owners areas of use.
Users of the dog park at Katherine Legge Memorial Park may soon need to obtain a permit in order to let their dogs run off leash.
At Tuesday's meeting of the Hinsdale Parks and Recreation Commission, Mike Hayes, superintendent of parks and recreation, told commissioners that incidents of dog fights, biting and running into non-designated areas has prompted the permitting recommendation.
"That way we can prove vaccination, build a database," said Hayes, with dog owners receiving an ID card to clip to the dog's collar. "It's going to give the village an opportunity to provide rules, get all their information, let them know that this is a yearly process."
Under an ordinance adopted two years ago, off-leash dogs are permitted north of the park's creek during designated hours in the morning and evening. The dogs are supposed to stay on leash until crossing to the north side and be under voice control, but Hayes said those guidelines are often ignored.
"Right now a lot of owners just open up the car door and let their dog go," he stated, citing proposed new ordinance language requiring owners to always carry a leash.
Hayes said his department, in partnership with Hinsdale police, staged an education and enforcement campaign this summer. Informational flyers were passed out, and police issued 24 citations or warnings, 80 percent of which were given to people from outside the village.
"Most of users of that facility are nonresidents, and we were able to determine that," Hayes said.
He told commissioners that despite the presence of ordinance signage, the village has seen an uptick in reports of incidents of children from the nearby Montessori school being knocked over and dogs disrupting park weddings.
Hayes said police strongly support the permit measure to better regulate activity and noted that the village's insurance company also endorses it.
"We're able to have (dog owners) sign a waiver of liability and the hold harmless, separating the village from some of the issues that could arise out there," he said. "We want to state in (the ordinance) how owners will be held responsible for any injuries or damages caused by their dog."
Commissioners debated the suggested flat permit fee of $15 per dog, with some contending nonresidents should pay more.
"I don't know why Hinsdale residents don't get it free and we charge (nonresidents) $100," Commissioner Steve Keane said.
Hayes said permit registration could be done online or in person, and the village can print the permits in-house but will incur material and staff costs. Taking the cue from commissioners, Hayes recommended no fee for residents and $50 for nonresidents.
Commissioner Heather Hester pointed out that permits had been discussed in 2022 but not implemented.
"I don't think it's coming out of nowhere, (and) hopefully people will understand the benefit of being in the database - you'll have the liability, you'll understand the rules," she said.
Commissioners will discuss the plan further before issuing a recommendation to the village board. If ultimately approved, officials intend to begin the permitting process in the spring.
