Oakmont officials to act on cycling, off-leash dog issue in Dark Hollow Woods

Oakmont council is prepared to act on an ordinance that would permit cycling and off-leash dogs in Dark Hollow Woods.

A trial period for the activities in the publicly owned park near Crystal Drive has gone on for more than a year. The park was split into two sections in June 2019.

Council plans to have a public hearing and then vote on the matter Oct. 19.

Both the hearing and council meeting are currently scheduled for 7 p.m. at the borough building, 767 Fifth St.

Borough officials are exploring options of in-person and online participation at the hearing and meeting in case many residents want to weigh in on the issues.

Those who wish to have their comments on the record but cannot attend the meeting can submit letters to the borough.

“I feel like we’ve had this discussion many times,” said Leah Powers, councilwoman and parks and recreation liaison. “I’m anxious to hear all the public comment at the hearing. I think we should be ready to vote yes or no at that meeting and move away from our trial period.”

Resident Barbara Fisher went before council at Monday night’s workshop to voice her concerns about the future of Dark Hollow.

Fisher said that she has cynophobia, the fear of dogs, and gets tense when seeing off-leash dogs no matter how friendly they might seem.

“The public safety cannot be assured 100%,” Fisher said. “I implore you not to wait for a dog bite.”

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

The recreation board offered two surveys, one last November and another in February. The combined results showed a majority of respondents were in favor of having bicyclists and off-leash dogs in the park.

With about 320 respondents, 59% supported off-leash dogs and 41% opposed; 75% said they support cycling with 25% opposed.

Those opposed were concerned about safety for both residents and other animals.

Frequent park-goers were more likely to support bikes and off-leash dogs, survey results showed. The trial-period stipulations for the park remain until council takes action.

Powers said she is in favor of making the trial permanent.

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

Borough Solicitor Kate Diersen said last month 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 necessary.

Police Chief Michael Ford said at previous meetings that his department has not been called for any dog or cycling incidents in the park since the trail started.

More permanent signs would be installed should the borough adopt a change for Dark Hollow.

Other meeting items

Council plans to approve a new five-year winter maintenance agreement with PennDOT.

The current five-year deal for the state to pay the borough for snow plowing and treating Hulton Road, Hulton Bridge, Allegheny Avenue and Plum Street when necessary expires this year.

Borough Manager Scot Fodi said PennDOT usually makes their payment in November or December. However, the amount of payments was not available Monday night.

Council may also appoint someone to fill a vacancy on the recreation board. Potential appointees were not announced at the workshop meeting.