Pets now restricted in parks

Oldsmar council members have set aside specific areas for pets in each of the city's parks.

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 19, 2000

OLDSMAR -- Pet owners need to start keeping an eye on where they walk their pets at city parks.

City Council members approved at a meeting Tuesday tightening the rules by prohibiting pets in parks except in designated areas. The council also approved where those designated areas go within each park.

Council member Ed Manny spearheaded the effort to change the rules because he said too many owners do not pick up after their pets and allow them to get too close to children. The city's previous ordinance prohibited dogs from children's play areas and required pets to be leashed at all times and owners to pick up droppings immediately.

But that ordinance was confusing for Pinellas County sheriff's deputies trying to enforce it because children's areas are not clearly defined. The new ordinance should solve that because pets will not be allowed anywhere except in the designated areas, which will be marked by signs.

The designated area in Canal Park will be at the southeastern portion of the park. At R.E. Olds Park, the pet area will be on the western end of the park. At Bicentennial Park, the designated area will be at the eastern edge. At Sheffield Park, it will be at the southeastern portion of the park.

The designated areas were determined by the city's Parks and Recreation advisory board.

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