Beaver trustees adopt rules for dogs in parks

By Virginia Ross

Clean up after your pets if you’re in a Beaver Township park.

NORTH LIMA— Beaver Township is tightening the leash on dog owners.

The trustees voted to establish several rules pertaining to dogs in township parks.

“It’s nothing against dogs or dog owners; it’s a health and safety concern,” said Scott Conway, park administrator. “We’re trying to make sure we address everyone’s needs and concerns.”

Conway said the rules will be posted at Woodworth and Memorial parks.

Essentially, the rules say:

UDogs must remain on leashes at all times while at the parks.

U Dog owners must clean up after their pets.

U Dogs are not allowed in the playground or ball field areas of the parks.

U The only dogs permitted at the parks during scheduled activities are guide dogs.

If any of the rules are broken, dog owners may be required to remove their pets from the parks.

“When you have a big congregation of folks for an activity, the dogs can be distracting,” Conway said. “Dog owners just need to be respectful of other visitors. A lot of it’s just common sense. But as more and more people come into the parks, we need to have rules in place.”

Trustee Chairman Ted Lyda said he doesn’t want the new rules to discourage dog owners from walking their pets in the parks.

“I like seeing that people are walking their dogs in the parks, and that more and more people are making good use of the parks,” he said. “I’d like to see that continue. I don’t want anyone to be discouraged from doing that.”

In other action at their meeting Monday, the trustees hired Jason Osborne as a part-time dispatcher, effective Tuesday. His hourly wage was set at $7.09, with no benefits. David DiIanni was named a reserve police officer.