Calls to shut down off-leash dog parks in Seattle come after contamination concerns

SEATTLE — Concerns over dog waste and water contamination are leading for new calls to shut down a number of off–leash dog parks in Seattle.

“Citizens for the Protection of Volunteer Park” has targeted four off-leash parks in the city: Genesee, West Crest, Golden Gardens and Jose Rizal.

Attorney Jane Kolar addressed this issue before Seattle City Council’s members Thursday morning. She said there are drainage issues in these parks and it’s not safe for dogs or their humans.

“This is a huge environmental problem and the city needs to recognize it and act on it,” said Kolar.

Also at the meeting were representatives of “Citizens for Off Leash Areas,” or COLA.

"We know there are drainage problems, there are definitely drainage problems but under no circumstances is there a reason to shut the park down," says COLA's executive director Cole Eckerman.

Eckerman and her group have been advocating for more park space in the city for dogs to roam free.

She said older off leash parks didn’t take drainage into consideration when it opened, but moving forward that will be part of the development plan.

KIRO 7 talked to a number of dog owners at Genesee to get their take on this issue.

Brenda Keating who comes to park daily with her two dogs said she does see standing water from time to time, but she’s not too concerned.

“I think they are amping it up,” said Keating. “It would be a bummer to close down the dog park.”

For Elizabette Morrelle, who is also a regular, she said her 3-year-old dog Ralphie loves the park and she not worried about her dog getting sick here.

“I think anywhere you take your dog you run into risks either interacting with dogs or just being outside,” said Morrelle.

The city council will continue to discuss this issue next year. No decisions were made Thursday.