Oakmont officials consider allowing cycling, off-leash dogs in Dark Hollow permanently

Oakmont officials are considering an ordinance that would formally allow cycling and off-leash dogs in Dark Hollow Woods Park.

Bicyclists and dogs roaming free have been permitted in the park off Crystal Drive during parts of the day and in certain sections of the site for more than a year as part of a trial requested by the recreation board.

Board members made their final public push to council in August with data from surveys that showed a majority of respondents support a change in park usage.

The surveys were posted on the recreation board’s Facebook page as well as the borough website, surveymonkey.com and Nextdoor, a social networking service.

The current borough policy prohibits bikes in the park and dogs from roaming free.

Council voted 5-2 at its September meeting to advertise an ordinance to revise that.

Councilwoman Sophia Facaros and Councilman David Brakley dissented. They said council should take more time to discuss park options.

“I feel that the rec board has come up with a good compromise so that the woods can be enjoyed by everyone,” said council President Patricia Friday.

Park changes are expected to be discussed at council’s Oct. 5 workshop. The ordinance is expected to be up for a vote Oct. 19.

Borough Solicitor Kate Diersen said the proposed ordinance would be just to allow off-leash dogs and cycling in the park. Additional rules and regulations would be passed separately.

Diersen said having changes made that way makes it easier for council to adjust times and locations should such adjustments be needed.

The proposed ordinance should not add any more liability for the borough if something would happen with dogs in the park, Diersen said.

“When the borough says a dog can be off leash, that’s not the same as saying a dog can be unattended,” Diersen said. “The dog should always be (under) control of the owner. That is both part of the ordinance and part of the state law.”

Council was considering requiring dog owners to get a permit for the pets to be off leash.

Permit applicants would need to be at least 18 years old, and the permit would have to be displayed by the owner while the dog was in the park.

The trial-period stipulations for the park remain until council takes action.

Off-leash times are from dawn to 1 p.m., and on-leash times are from 1 p.m. to dusk in the southwest section of the park. The opposite times are in effect in the northeast section. Bikes are permitted throughout the park after 3 p.m. weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays.

Signs would be installed should the borough adopt a change for Dark Hollow.