As of Saturday, September 26 at 7 a.m., the city’s Dog Park, located on Hanover Drive off Hanover Parkway, has reopened. This was the result of a vote by the Greenbelt City Council at their Wednesday, September 23 worksession, where they decided on a new set of rules, permit requirements and a new fee structure for city permits.
Users of the Park must now obtain both a county pet license and a city permit, to be renewed annually. The county license can be obtained at county offices by appointment only, due to the pandemic. The city permit can be applied for at the Animal Shelter, where applications and fees are now being accepted, also by appointment only. The city hopes to make it possible to obtain both the license and permit at the Shelter at some point in the future when a portal can be created with the county system.
The city’s permit fees are now $10 per resident household and $30 per non-resident household. This will cover all dogs in the household but each dog requires a separate application. The fee will cover the requisite dog tags that must be visible on the dog while at the Park. These tags would be renewed each year. Each owner is allowed only two dogs at the Park at any one time.
The county license fee is $10 for a neutered dog and $25 for an unaltered dog.
Both the county license and the city permit require a current rabies certificate for each dog, with the permit also requiring a current distemper certificate along with proof from a licensed
veterinarian that each dog is healthy.
The other elements of the council’s vote were: that the new rules be posted inside and outside the Park and presented to and signed by applicants (Greenbelt Police Captain Gordon Pracht provided the posted rules and Councilmember Judith Davis provided the set for applications) and to keep the Park unlocked until a consensus on a security system is reached. Compliance will be monitored by park rangers and city police for the time being.
Staff recommended a cipher lock system that is inexpensive and easy to use. A permit would include the code to be used for the year. Police Chief Richard Bowers said that it would be possible to exit the park without the code, thus avoiding being locked in during an emergency situation. The idea of using a swipe card system was discussed. Yet, this would cost in the range of $6,900. As well, Nelly Ortiz said that since people often find a way to circumvent a system, investing in a costly system would be ill-advised. Pracht recommended using LS Systems who have provided technology to police and municipal facilities, thus resulting in a compatible system with the Park as well. Council was amenable to this.
Councilmember Silke Pope said that there had been misuse of the Park, especially at night, where organized dog fights have been known to occur. She said that many people had indicated that they desired controlled access to the Park to prevent this.
The new city fee structure was a major topic of discussion at the worksession. City staff recommended the $10 and $30, based on council feedback and on a survey of surrounding dog parks. Pope, Davis and Councilmember Leta Mach felt that this was a reasonable and nominal fee that would engender responsible use of the Park, allowing for guaranteed compliance with proper vaccinations, ensuring safety for all.
Mayor Colin Byrd and Councilmember Rodney Roberts were in favor of continuing no fee for use, feeling that the fee was not necessary to ensure the required documentation. Roberts felt that residents are already paying taxes and that the fee would provide little toward the maintenance and running of the Park.
Resident Carol Johnson urged that the Park reopen immediately, feeling that there should be no fee, as some may not be able to afford it, and that controlled access was too cumbersome. Bowers said he was open to addressing a financial hardship, but that there was no specific procedure in place.
Director of Planning and Community Development Terri Hruby reminded the council that, in regard to possibly enlarging the Park, the site was already maximized to its full extent and the adjoining land does not belong to the city.
Councilmember Edward Putens pointed out that Greenbelt was the first municipality in the county to have a dog park, something for which he was proud. The council was eager to finally reopen the Park as soon as possible in a way that created a safe and enjoyable environment. The final vote was 4 to 3 for the new fee structure, revised rules and open doors to the park: Davis, Pope, Mach and Councilmember Emmett Jordan in favor; Putens, Roberts and Byrd against.
Residents can refer to the city website (greenbeltmd.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/16/35) for full information on the dog park.