The proposed dog park for the West Century ballparks is meeting with some resistance as the people living near the complex don't think it's an appropriate site.

The Bismarck Park District board opened the floor to comment on the proposed dog park during Thursday's meeting, with President Dan Hovland noting that the board isn't ready to make any final decisions on the property and district Director Steve Neu saying other areas need exploration.

"We're here today to solicit views from you," Hovland told the dozen people who had gathered for the dog park agenda item. "Petitions have been filed, and we've received a number of letters, as well, about the proposal. We all recognized that the Century ballpark complex has served well its purpose for a number of years, but it is no longer economically feasible to use it for what it was intended and it will be abandoned in a short period of time."

Neu said that a change in city ordinance regarding leash laws will have to be made before any dog park is created, since laws prohibit dogs being off their leashes on public property. He also said that Century High School does have an interest in the property, perhaps to turn the west fields into a parking lot next year, which could see the dog park moved into the east fields, which are still being used this year.

"We've been scouting around the community for alternative sites, because we don't think one dog park will meet the needs as the city continues to grow," Neu said. "The Century fields are a nice fit for the district to try a dog park, to get us over the bumps of starting a site. I don't think it will be the only site over the next three to four years. We do have a significant number of dog owners supporting the concept, and they tend to be a very responsible group of people."

Vi Pearson, who lives in a nearby condominium, said she and her husband purchased their condo in September 2004, but wouldn't have bought it knowing about the dog park proposal.

"The condos are mostly occupied by retired people," Pearson told the board. "The reason we moved there is because we no longer have the responsibility of children or the responsibility of pets. We want to be free and lock the door and be able to leave. Now we face this possibility. It's not that we oppose the dog owners, we have nothing against them or dogs, and I think in the past most of us have had pets. When my last pet died, I cried. But we're past that stage; now we just want to live in peace and quiet. The units we live in are comprised of over 60 households. It doesn't seem right a unilateral decision is being made to put a dog park in that place. You're putting a dog park right in the middle of a place where there are not dogs. The apartments and condos surrounding the fields don't allow pets."

Pet owner Christine Kujawa provided the board and audience with a list outlining the benefits of a dog park.

"I'm pro dog park, if not at Century, then someplace else. It's a great addition to the community," Kujawa said. "Studies show that dogs allowed to run off leash are less aggressive, and the park creates a public forum in which community pet owners can meet. I've visited dog parks in Minneapolis and in Fargo, and the dog owners are responsible." Steve Schneider, of the Bismarck Police Department animal control department, said his office was in favor of it.

"The number one complaint we get from people we have to deal with when letting their animal run at large is - 'where can I take them to run?'" Schneider said. "People need an area where they can take their animal to run and get exercise."

Schneider said that studies show dog parks "pretty much run themselves," with those using it taking care of dog droppings and any fights. Schneider did suggest there be separate areas for large and small dogs.

The board took no action..

The board also heard presentations from students in the United Tribes Technical College art marketing department on the 2005 public art project. The six projects focused on the use of eagles in their themes. Cost of the projects ranged in price from $29,980 to $40,023.

The board will provide input on which project they prefer, and Neu hopes to have a project selected at the next meeting of the board on May 19. The district has $15,000 for the project, which likely will be built at UTTC over the summer and then moved to Steamboat Park in August. A similar art project was put at Steamboat Park in 2004. Further funding is expected to be available through Lewis & Clark grants.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)