Keeping dogs out of Latrobe’s Legion Keener Park is no walk in the park.
City officials say they hope to improve awareness of a rule against taking canine companions to the recreational site.
During the covid-19 pandemic, more people have been walking their dogs along trails at the park, which is privately owned but maintained by Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation.
“The most complaints we get are about dogs on the path, from users that are exercising there,” Craig Shevchik, parks and recreation director, told city council this week.
An ordinance prohibits dogs at Legion Keener — a restriction that is meant to keep park users safe from a potential dog attack and the park free from pet waste, Shevchik said.
“We need to make sure our parks are safe for all types of users,” he said.
Shevchik noted people are permitted to walk dogs on city sidewalks and at two other Latrobe recreational sites — a nature trail at Creekside Park that is about 8 feet wide and a 10-foot-wide trail that parallels Lincoln Avenue.
The latter trail, he said, “was built with dogs and different users in mind. We knew the town needed someplace to walk dogs.”
Councilman Ralph Jenko said he believes owners are walking dogs at Legion Keener because they don’t know about the policy.
Shevchik said the recreation board could consider replacing vandalized or damaged signs about the no-dog policy.
The park ordinance places enforcement in the hands of parks and recreation representatives and city police.
Solicitor John Greiner said parks and recreation officials and employees have the power to order violators to leave the park. Also, violators could be denied permits for use of recreational facilities. The rule does not apply to working service dogs, he said.
Latrobe police have the power to cite violators, but Chief John Sleasman and Shevchik agreed that would be a last resort.
Sleasman said police officers would check the park for dog walkers, to “educate them and let them know they will be cited if they come back to the park with their dog.”
