Our Little piece of Paradise
Maybe you have been walking your dog in Purgatory Park for 30 yrs. Or just moved here and discovered this little piece of paradise.
Seeing the kids watching their dog run jump and play in the woods with other dogs and never a problem, ever. Sure there were moments of barking even a growl or two. I even remember seeing a rise of fear in the kids when a big barking dog rushed up on our 1 year old puppy. I might have felt a touch of concern too, but I would never admit it.
Now imagine one day you wake up and you are told the City Council has made it illegal to have your dog off leash anywhere in any park. How do you explain to your kids that the government can do whatever they want. They have been walking their dog in the park for 5 yrs, since they could barely kick a soccer ball.
Maybe you walk your dog on leash on the main trails or ride the trails with your family and no dog
Dogs are dogs and they worked it out. Over time she found her bark and body language. Now she plays with the dogs she wants to, sniffs some and just walks past other almost like they are invisible.
Someone asked where the $500K cost esimate for Purgatory park fencing came from, so this is a screenshot from the meeting. This is a preliminary number and didn’t include any ground work. The area mentioned would require lots of ground work. Plus we should be able to agree that government projects almost always end up considerably more than the preliminary estimates.
This is only 1 of 2 areas they proposed. Also there are no ADA features included.
In case you are not aware let me summarize. In the Fall of 2024 the city council passed an ordinance which made off leash dogs illegal in Minnetonka. Before that dogs could off leash and under the owners control on unmaintained public lands. The public hearings were filled a large a passionate number Minnetonka residents and residents from surrounding communities. In order to calm folks they added future off leash areas. A year later there are no designated areas. Only a plan to consider fencing a small section of Purgatory Park with a cost of up to $500,000.00. Of course that is before they even start to build the fence. Who knows maybe the price could exceed a MILLION.
As if that wasn’t enough
If putting a fence in the beautiful meadow was not a big enough waste of our tax money and resources, they are even discussing removing this bench because it contributes to degradation of the grasses around the park benches. Imagine the feeling of visiting in the park and finding the memorial bench of your spouse or grandparent removed. How sad, and for what reason?
Thanks for you input!
We have until November 4th to let the City council and candidates for mayor know how we feel. I will add to the story as I can.
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