Dogs now welcome in Shawano parks

Council approves amending rules to allow four-legged friends in all city green spaces
By: 
Lee Pulaski
City Editor

Man’s best friend is now welcome in all of Shawano’s parks, city officials announced Oct. 13.

The Shawano Common Council voted unanimously to amend its parks and cemeteries policy to allow dogs in more than two dozen city parks. Dogs were already allowed in certain parks — including Smalley, Kuckuk and Sturgeon, along with Huckleberry Harbor — after the council voted in 2018 to allow them in as part of an effort to clear those parks of unwanted Canada geese. Before that, dogs were not welcome at any of the city’s green spaces.

“This is a conversation that has been somewhat ongoing at the park and rec commission level,” said Matt Hendricks, parks and recreation director. “At the last meeting, they did support amending this section, which would allow dogs in all city parks.”

Hendricks said there could be exceptions for certain events, especially ones that are food-based, which could mean that dogs might not be welcome at Franklin Park during the summer farmers market. He noted it would be up to an event coordinator, whether that person is with the city or not, to determine whether dogs would be permitted.

Many of the requirements put in place at the first four parks will still apply at the other parks, according to Hendricks. Dogs would need to be leashed at all times and not more than 6 feet away from their humans. Also, people are expected to clean up after their dogs.

“Dogs are identified as part of many people’s families,” Hendricks said. “They’ve become a part of our society more so than in the past. There is much discussion about the fact that, for the most part, state statute acknowledges that the owner of a dog is responsible for the dog’s behavior, regardless of location.”

Mayor Bruce Milavitz said opening all parks to dogs would help to clear up confusion. He said there have been incidents where people have walked dogs in Memorial Park and others where it was not allowed, regardless of posted “no dogs” signs.

“They just heard that they were allowed in parks,” Milavitz said. “I think this is a modern-time clarification.”

Alderman Kevin Barkow said he originally brought up the dog issue to the commission, which he sits on, because of concerns there might not be enough signs when the city has its Sundrop Dayz. However, he noted that the city could put signs up everywhere, but that’s no guarantee that people were going to follow the rules.

“The signs are only as good as the people who are going to obey them,” Barkow said. “You can have all the signs in the world, and people are not going to obey them. So we thought, ‘Why fight it?’”

Alderwoman Sandy Steinke expressed concern about allowing the dogs in the cemeteries, but the city code already permits them in those places. Barkow pointed out that the last commission meeting was held in a cemetery, and people were walking their dogs while the meeting took place.


lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com