While, I am not a member of the off-leash opponent group, I can definately see the need to rethink off-leash dog issues in the canyon areas.
Millcreek canyon is just one example of the good and bad of off-leash dog policies. Although it is wonderful to be able to take your dog into the canyons, (I am a dog owner myself)there are many people who are very inconsiderate. Dog dodo is not pleasant for anyone to step in, nor is meeting a large dog face to face with no owner in sight.
I am not a member of the Sierra Club or any other environmental group, but I too am concerned with pristine forest areas being overrun with dogs and what comes with it.
Also, it will only be a matter of time before a large "family dog" comes in contact with an unsuspecting individual, and tragedy will strike.
(In our own neighborhood last year, two pitbulls were allowed off leash in the neighborhood. They attacked some small children. Both dogs were put down after the incident.
My whole point is this. Dogs should never be off leash. If you like to take your dog into a wilderness area, count your blessings they are allowed in the area at all. If you can't stand restraining your dog leave him/her at home.

Are you kidding me? Leash laws? Do we really have any? 9 out of 10 dog owners already TOTALLY ignore the leash laws now! Owners in my neighborhood rarely if ever leash their dogs. Most just watch as their dogs "go for it" in my yard almost every day! Not a dog hater - have a dog ourselves. We don't take her for many walks anymore - simply because she is on a leash and no one else's dog is and we always run into a problem. Maybe if current laws were actually enforced . .. . Oh well, just a thought!

The Park was setup by the former owners of the land to be a nature park. Allowing dogs to free run on this land is counter to the intent use of the park. Dogs are a threat to other animals and birds that may be left in the park. It is not right to lay waste this partial of land so that dogs can have the run of the place.

Because it is simply not feasible to enforce leash laws, it comes down to dog owners being considerate of others. Owners have an obligation to train their dogs. When in the city, good training means keeping the dog on a leash. If people are incapable of properly training or handling their dogs, they have no business owning them. It all comes down to courtesy and respect for others. I am very surprised that the Sierra Club and other such groups have not weighed in on this issue. Could it be that their members tend to be the off-leashers?

I thought "Friends of" groups usually involved putting in good, hard work for an area or cause, not just getting publicity for themselves. I live in the area, walk in the park two or three times a week and have NEVER seen Jeff Salt or anyone from his "group" doing ANY kind of work in the park. Anyone who really knows the park knows it has been the off leash people who are responsible for ALL of the improvements in the park in the last ten years. I see them pulling weeds, installing boardwalks, removing debris from the stream all the time. I also see them consistently picking up after their dogs and after the beer can throwing kids who frequent the park. There is an old adage -"actions speak louder than words" - think about it.

Dogs cause less of the damage than humans do (i.e. tenns using the water as ab amusement park.) Ducks? Hah! I ve never seen ducks down there in the four years I ve been using. We have every right to use the park.

I have many thoughts on this disagreement,But really only one word jumps out at me. EMPATHY
It seems to me its lacking in so many ways in the salt lake city area. why????? just a thought if my little message make you uncomfortable then please join the rest of us and learn and practice some empathy.......its a big world folks there should be room for all.

Are you kidding? This park is safer, cleaner and enjoyed by many, many more people than would enjoy it if it were an "on leash" area. Let's be honest, the majority of those who enjoyed this park before it became off leash were kids going down to get drunk and high. Those of you who want to enjoy a dog-free, pristine nature area should drive the five extra minutes it takes to get to Big and Little Cottonwood canyons. Let Parley's be. Can't we share a few acres with the dogs?

It's amazing to me that those who are intolerant to dogs off leash find ways to justify their hatred. Anyone who truly understand dogs knows that this species has an intrinsic need to run and explore in an unrestrained manner. Off leash parks are in great demand in our neighborhoods and the popularity of Parley's is proof of this.

Those that use the "environmental" argument to justify their desired restrictions are not tell the truth. There is nothing pristine or nature-like about a swath of neglected urban gully wedged between two interstates and containing an electrical substation, a bmx bike park and a massive storm drain. Doesn't anyone remember what that area looked like 15 years ago? It was full of trash, a haven for drug use and homeless shanties. Dog owners who like to run their dogs off-leash found this place, improved it over the past 10 years and made the park what it is today.

Now some rich residents above the park don't like that their backyard so busy so they concoct tactic after tactic to try and shut it down. If they wanted control over the area they should have footed the bill to turn it into a gated community instead of expecting the rest of us to pay for it with our tax dollars. The insincerity of their "concern for the area" is blatantly obvious. They've done noting to improve it. All you have to do is go down there and see who uses the park. It's not Mr. Salt and his "Friends of Parley's etc." You don't have to believe me. Go down there and see for yourself.

Dogs are totally out of control, I cant believe how the dogs have sprayed their dog graphitti all over places in the park, on the bridges, on the signs, on the concrete. And have you seen all the particle boards and garbage left behind by dogs at the run off mouth? its insane. Why do dogs let their little children dogs use this nature reserve as a water park? They leave such a huge mess and garbage behind. And this place is a nature reserve?, when did the dogs build a power station in the middle of that place? And now it looks like the dogs are doing contruction in the middle of the park? Thats crazy, yeah sure... nature preserve... right. I also can't believe the damage the dogs have done with their BMX bikes on the south side of the park. Seriously dogs should take their BMX bikes somewhere else they are ruining the whole place. I was there last weekend and I walked through the ford of the stream up by the top, and I stepped on a beer can. I wish dogs would stop going up there to get drunk, and if they do need to go up there to get drunk at least dogs could pick up their beer cans. I agree with all the other dog haters, they should go.

mc

If you are serious about saving parley's as a "nature preserve" they you need to ignore the dog problem and ban HUMANS from the area alltogether. A nature preserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research.

Lets call this place what it really is. Its a park. *some* people want to have their cake and be able to eat it too. They want Dogs out but they want to be able to go down there on foot and do whatever they like. Ive seen a lot of people who only use dogs as the threat to the area, these people are clearly hypocrits. The PARK has many issue, turning a blind eye to all of them but one is not an open minded view of the situation. If you really are concerned about the welfare of the park then remove the people.

e-

I have lived across the street from Parley's Nature Preserve for over 10 years and I'm a dog owner. Everyone complaining about the park doesn't see the REAL threat. Kids in the area have destroyed the park more than any dog could. Dogs don't spray paint the trees and cement. Dogs don't littler the park with wood, shopping carts, clothing and orange construction barrels. Dogs don't shoot other dogs with paintball guns. Something does needs to happen about the on going problems, but it not the dogs. It's the neighborhood parents that need to control their kids.

Again I have lived across the street from the park for over ten years and I have NEVER had an issue with a dog. Our animals need places to run free and to socialize with other animals.

People say this park is suppose to be a nature preserve, but do you think adding a cement bike path which is going to bring even more people down to the park is going to encourage birds and little animals to live there? How can we blame dogs when you can go to the park today and see PEOPLE tearing up animals natural habitat for a bike path?
Oh, of course the 2 freeways have nothing to do with birds not wanting to nest in the trees.
Can we please open our eyes and stop blaming dogs for the things PEOPLE are destroying??

B Rigby....I feel really badly for your dog.

Safe dogs are well socialized dogs. Dangerous dogs are dogs that are kept constantly chained, in back yards, and always on leash. Areas such as the Tanner off leash dog park are essential not only for exercise but for the proper socialization of dogs as well as their owners.

Complaints that the park is over-utilized and that pet owners ignore leash laws are undeniable proof that more areas like Tanner Park are needed. Creating more opportunities for dogs, their owners, and the general public to socialize, off leash, is the obvious path forward. There is no reason that we cannot ensure and healthy and safe future for people, animals, and the environment.

Salt and the other "friends of the earth" would do
well to put their lawsuit money into hiring good
consulting for effective management of the few open
spaces left in this valley, including The Gully.
Otherwise they are likely to be suing
the Daybreak project, Draper, the foothill builders,
the Wasatch Regional Transportation group, and a
whole lot more to stop the expected 400,000 new
people from taking up residence by 2010.

The key to the growth in our future is to create cooperative communities who can assume part of the
responsibility with a sense of ownership and accountability for the space they *will* occupy.
FIDOS folks are such a community.

My daughter and I are not dog owners but we strongly support Parley's as an off-leash park. What we find most compelling are the following:

When it came time for the City Council to vote on the issue 98% of the people filling the seats of the council room (and crowded out into the hallway) were supporters of the park as an off-leash area. At one point we were asked to stand and almost everyone in the hearing room stood. Where were the the opponents? Why weren't they taking the time at the end of a work day to make the effort to speak up, bring facts, and their kids to make a difference?

Other ways we have seen the dog owners go the extra mile and really try to care for the park (as apparently it had never been cared for before) is to volunteer their time to pick up trash, pull invasive weeds, pick up any poop/poop bags left by others, and even water an ailing tree. The dog walkers really care about that park and show themselves as a real community of people who care. My eight-year-old daughter has been inspired enough by the efforts of these people that last week she used a grocery bag to offer to carry out about 20 poop bags for other dog owners (some are left on the ground for their return walk out of the park). We have also noticed that most of the people in the park are regulars (and we, without a dog) have become one of them. My daughter is learning so much about responsibility and community from these users of the park.

Also, wildlife seems to be thriving. On one evening we say an adult fox. A few nights later a fox cub.

empathy, ah thank you. We can find away to mother earth for all. millcreak canyon odd or even baby . Im proud to be odd. oh, I have heard a rumor about dog lake no longer being a lake for dogs?? hmm
Please someone anyone rename it. Im feeling confused.

Please show where having more off leashed dogs increases bits or injury for people. Once again many critics of off-leash Park seem to be thinking with no sporting evidence the more off-leash dogs means more bites. NYC has seen the opposite of your thinking. Here some statistics to validate my point.

Annual Reported NYC Dog Bites Before Park Off-leash Hours (1960s): Over 40,000. (source: NYC Dept of Health)

Annual Reported NYC Dog Bites in 2005: 3,956, with 86 (2.2%) occurring in the 1,700+ NYC parks. (source: NYC Dept of Health)

Number of dogs in NYC: Over 1.4 million

Seems to me that off-leash parks reduce the number of people getting bitten by dogs. Of the 3,956 that were reported bitten only 86 happen in 1700+ parks. Sound like your public safety arguments does not hold any water. Research of different areas says what this data does that you are more likely to get bitten outside of a park instead of in one. So, far as there has not been one reported bite in Parley's historic nature park.

Science and society recently have recognized that dogs are highly social animals and that most dogs, especially those that live in a congested city environment, require at least a few hours of off-leash time each week. http://www.nycoffleash.com/html/files/Summary%20of%20selected%20dog%20off-leash%20studies.pdf

Also people in NY tried to use the courts in a similar fashion as Jeff is planning in above article and they lost.

I take my dog to parley's everyday. It's not like other dog parks where I stand around watching my dog run in little circles. At Parley's, I get to hike with my dog. If there are aggressive dogs, we have plenty of room to go separate ways.
I do think dog owners and others need some education. It's frustrating when I see other dog owners not paying attention while their dogs pooh, jump on people, or get aggressive with other dogs. I do what I can to be considerate of others, and they give dog owners a bad name.
Thanks.

I enjoy taking my dogs to Parley's and am/try to be a responsible dog owner. I enjoy going for the hike and having my dogs off-leash so they can socialize with other dogs. We make it a point to go there every weekend.

My wife and I have walked our dogs in "The Gulley" for over 10 years. Never have I seen any activity taken to clean/maintain/preserve the park other than at the urging of (or by the activity of) the dog walking public. I have seen (and helped) pull out car parts, industrial waste, more beer and spray cans than I care to think about, and as noted above, much "trash" left behind by those using the park for other forms of recreation. I have heard the complaints of the "Salt-ines" change repeatedly as they find one or another of their specious arguments refuted. (Example: Bird life is actually *enhanced* by the canine presence, as it helps deter the feral cat population from settling in. Example: repeated testing by independent organizations have shown that the fecal count in Parley's creek is not substantially different from any of the other "dog-free" creeks in the Wasatch Front. Example: Neither Salt Lake City nor Salt Lake County police have noted any significant dog bite incidents, and have noticed a *decrease* in the number of assault/public intoxication calls to the park area).
No, the patrons of the park are not all perfect, and yes, it would be nice if everyone picked up after themselves and their dogs. But the vast majority do, and also help clean up after the others. This isn't an ecological Disneyland, with a full time staff of "minders". It was never intended to be. The single biggest problem with the park is its uniqueness, which leads to overuse. The solution is not to close the park, but to create more off-lead parks.

My wife and I have walked our dogs in "The Gulley" for over 10 years. Never have I seen any activity taken to clean/maintain/preserve the park other than at the urging of (or by the activity of) the dog walking public. I have seen (and helped) pull out car parts, industrial waste, more beer and spray cans than I care to think about, and as noted above, much "trash" left behind by those using the park for other forms of recreation. I have heard the complaints of the "Salt-ines" change repeatedly as they find one or another of their specious arguments refuted. (Example: Bird life is actually *enhanced* by the canine presence, as it helps deter the feral cat population from settling in. Example: repeated testing by independent organizations have shown that the fecal count in Parley's creek is not substantially different from any of the other "dog-free" creeks in the Wasatch Front. Example: Neither Salt Lake City nor Salt Lake County police have noted any significant dog bite incidents, and have noticed a *decrease* in the number of assault/public intoxication calls to the park area).
No, the patrons of the park are not all perfect, and yes, it would be nice if everyone picked up after themselves and their dogs. But the vast majority do, and also help clean up after the others. This isn't an ecological Disneyland, with a full time staff of "minders". It was never intended to be. The single biggest problem with the park is its uniqueness, which leads to overuse. The solution is not to close the park, but to create more off-lead parks.

I am glad to see that the park is now dog OK. It is better to make this legal, and give it some control. As a dog-walker in Parleys, I have hauled out buckets of poop in the past, as many as three a day. However, since the FIDOS group has "taken steps," the poop problem is greatly increased as owners take responsibility for their own dogs. I think that some kind of enforcement of owners picking up after themselves, as there are a few that make it bad for the rest. As far as nature goes, I agree, the original owners left it for that purpose. I am saddened that we, as humans, have to fill the gap that nature used to take, even our homes, cars, etc. However, we are a city, and we need recreation areas for our city dwellers/citizens. Hopefully, we can learn a lot about how to multi-use land, as with Millcreek. also agree about the wear and tear, the kids with the bikes have dug up and tore up a large area south of the stream, which could cause (and probably does) major erosion problems. Just my thoughts, for what they are worth. I also think that more off-lead parks, including along the Jordan river, there are many places that are "wild" that could be path-ed and utilized. Of course, there will be fights and contention about those areas also. Some of that land should be bought up for future use by both dog users and non dog-users.

I agree with many of the comments here regarding all of the grafitti and trash left by humans. I have a dog and before I found Parleys, I had no where else to go.. My dog needs to run and socialize and be out without a leash. I have met many people in the park and it's a great place for people and dogs. The FIDOS group is always out cleaning up, fixing up and making the gully a great place to go. People have everywhere else to walk around and hike and we have Parleys and Mill Creek on odd days. That's it! I also agree, I have never seen a duck at Parleys. I see lots of other types of birds though. Give Parley to people and their dogs.