Minnetonka City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Story
Minnetonka grapples with off-leash dog area enforcement failures
Preliminary 2027-2031 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) review
July study session topics discussion
Off-leash dog ordinance compliance and enforcement challenges
Evaluation of off-leash dog area effectiveness
Staff recommendations for Purgatory Park off-leash areas
Funding considerations for park improvements
Review of QR code reporting system for park concerns
Analysis of park usage and vehicle traffic
Signage vandalism and theft in parks
Discussion of fencing options for off-leash areas
Natural resource protection in park planning
Topographical challenges in park development
Notable Quotes (10)
It's been a challenge and I think you'll hear that from staff tonight disappointing in a lot of ways just regarding some of the non-compliance that continues to happen and the challenge es that it's posed for staff and trying to enforce an ordinance that's been uh really difficult in that regard.
The total area in terms of acreage for areas two and three was 18.8 acres approximately as as mapped in the field. And the off leash corridor was just over a half mile in length...
It was a substantial challenge trying to orient people out there when they were standing at these signs out in the woods to get a sense of exactly where they were and what direction they were heading when they were entering or leaving an on or off leash area.
We noted that 81% of all the reports came from just three individuals, the reports that they did do were reviewed carefully and found to be credible, accurate, and consistent with the conditions observed both by our staff during our directed patrols and the trail camera footage.
From a law enforcement perspective, the most significant challenge that we have found is that the boundaries of the designated off leash area are not clearly defined.
If the boundaries are very well delineated, no matter what decision is made, the enforcement is considerably easier, as is education.
So again, approximately $60 per linear foot would include the posts, the fencing install, and the entry features related to these fenced areas.
if we have cameras in the park and people are vandalizing signs, then why aren't we charging these folks? Because to me, that's a criminal offense.
We unfortunately we captured thousands of images, but we did not see anybody actively vandalizing the signs.
Funding is not currently programmed at this moment. We would need to review the capital improvement funding options and upon council direction, a staff update would be provided in the coming months as necessary.
People (11)
Council member for Ward 3.
Council member at large.
Council member for Ward 4.
Presiding over the study session meeting and leading discussions.
Council member for Ward 1.
Council member at large, asked about tree removal and topography in Area 4.
Council member for Ward 2, inquired about removing Area 3 from some fenced options.
Introduced the agenda items and staff presenters, highlighted compliance challenges for the off-leash area.
Led the presentation on the Purgatory Park off-leash dog area, detailed background, challenges, and proposed options for council.
Supervises staff enforcing the ordinance, presented on the QR code reporting system and police enforcement challenges.
Asked why individuals vandalizing park signs caught on camera were not being charged.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (6)
- Minnitanka City Council Study Session: June 15, 2026
- Council adopted revised off-leash dog ordinance language: November 18, 2024
- Staff presented Minnetonka off-leash dog strategy to Park Board: April 23, 2025
- Council directed staff to examine Purgatory Park areas 2 and 3: May 19, 2025
- City created QR code reporting system: June 2025
- Council directed staff to implement Purgatory Park areas 2, 3, and an unleashed corridor: August 25, 2025
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
Adopted on November 18, 2024, to regulate off-leash dog activity in the city.
Presented to the Park Board on April 23, 2025, outlining strategies for managing off-leash dog areas.